Freewheeler wont move

Mykneesbehurtin · Dec 23, 2019

My buddy just bought a 2017 Freewheeler with 1400 miles on it and he has a issue with it.When you release the clutch in gear it just sits and wont move,the belt is turning so its not in the clutch.So it must be in the rear end assy.It has no warranty left on it,was just wondering if anyone has had or heard of anyone with this issue.Thanks in advance.

Jack Klarich · Dec 24, 2019

Have the rear pulley bolts sheared off? This has been a problem in the past

peteg59 · Dec 24, 2019

^...Thinking it has to be something simple.

Unfortunately, simple doesn't always mean cheap to fix, especially if he can't do the work himself.

With only 1,400 miles on it it sounds like the previous owner, or test pilots before your friend, maybe took it on a "beat run" and weakened something causing the issue at hand?

Good luck to your friend, and post up the eventual remedy...

Gorilla · Dec 24, 2019

If the belt is turning there are only a couple of possibilities. Rear pulley bolts backed out or sheared off. Bolt holes in rim hollowed out. Slim but maybe someone pulled the wheel and did not replace the rubber conpensators in the rim hub correctly. It has to be in that are if the drive belt is moving with the front pulley. Good luck Remove the rear wheel you will find the issue easy enough.

MDO · Dec 28, 2019

Jack Klarich said:
Have the rear pulley bolts sheared off? This has been a problem in the past

In gear and belt turning with no drive to the rear wheel??? What Jack said.

MDO · Dec 28, 2019

Mykneesbehurtin said:
My buddy just bought a 2017 Freewheeler with 1400 miles on it and he has a issue with it.When you release the clutch in gear it just sits and wont move,the belt is turning so its not in the clutch.So it must be in the rear end assy.It has no warranty left on it,was just wondering if anyone has had or heard of anyone with this issue.Thanks in advance.

Please don't leave us hanging.

I'm on day 10 in the hospital awaiting heart valve replacement & I need an answer

Mykneesbehurtin · Dec 29, 2019

He took it in the shop,they said they may be able to get it fixed under warranty,waiting to hear what the problem is.

MDO · Dec 29, 2019

Mykneesbehurtin said:
He took it in the shop,they said they may be able to get it fixed under warranty,waiting to hear what the problem is.

Thanks for the update...this is 1 I had not heard before on our FW's

Mykneesbehurtin · Jan 11, 2020

Okay update on Freewheeler,broken axle end snapped off,according to the tech HD said this is a first one they know of.But then they tried to deny the oil migration. Haven't heard if HD is going to warranty it yet.Its out of warranty.

Mykneesbehurtin · Jan 11, 2020

Okay update on Freewheeler,broken axle end snapped off,according to the tech HD said this is a first one they know of.But then they tried to deny the oil migration. Haven't heard if HD is going to warranty it yet.Its out of warranty.They axle is $450 by itself ouch.

rae mendonca · Jan 11, 2020

warranty

Mykneesbehurtin said:
Okay update on Freewheeler,broken axle end snapped off,according to the tech HD said this is a first one they know of.But then they tried to deny the oil migration. Haven't heard if HD is going to warranty it yet.Its out of warranty.They axle is $450 by itself ouch.

Should have got the extended warranty. My Freewheeler blew up the motor at 65,000 miles. Went through two compensators. 2 sets of lifters, rocker boxes leaked and had to be replaced twice. rear end was already showing signs of wheels wobbling when I traded it in. Thank the lord for extended warranty. The cost of all those repairs would have been more than 1/2 the cost of the original bike. Also I had maintained that bike by the book and never abused it. I now own a 2015 Sportster that I have added a Frankenstein trike kit to. The kit is probably the simplest and best constructed rear end that could be made. Harley should have looked at their design instead of the problematic Lehman that they copied and then stole

rhino 2 · Jan 11, 2020

Mykneesbehurtin said:
Okay update on Freewheeler,broken axle end snapped off,according to the tech HD said this is a first one they know of.But then they tried to deny the oil migration. Haven't heard if HD is going to warranty it yet.Its out of warranty.They axle is $450 by itself ouch.

Oil Migration 'Doesn't exist ask any dealer......

...

Mykneesbehurtin · Jan 11, 2020

rae mendonca said:
Should have got the extended warranty. My Freewheeler blew up the motor at 65,000 miles. Went through two compensators. 2 sets of lifters, rocker boxes leaked and had to be replaced twice. rear end was already showing signs of wheels wobbling when I traded it in. Thank the lord for extended warranty. The cost of all those repairs would have been more than 1/2 the cost of the original bike. Also I had maintained that bike by the book and never abused it. I now own a 2015 Sportster that I have added a Frankenstein trike kit to. The kit is probably the simplest and best constructed rear end that could be made. Harley should have looked at their design instead of the problematic Lehman that they copied and then stole

He bought the bike second hand and didn't own if but two days before it broke,I would suspect that the flimsy bearing retainers may be allowing the axle to move to much.This is just my opinion.

Mykneesbehurtin · Jan 17, 2020

Latest update,if my buddy pays for the axle they will install at the factory's expense.

rhino 2 · Jan 17, 2020

Mykneesbehurtin said:
Latest update,if my buddy pays for the axle they will install at the factory's expense.

He should do it.....Most times labor is more than parts....

Mykneesbehurtin · Jan 17, 2020

By watching the DK custom video axle removal is pretty straight forward,remove tire,caliper,caliper mounting bracket,remove 4 bolts that hold retainer slide out axle.The only catch would be getting the other end of axle out which could result in removing the rear end assembly.If Kevin from DK could chime in to correct anything i missed that would be great.Trying to convince him to get extended warranty.

rae mendonca · Jan 17, 2020

extended warranty

Mykneesbehurtin said:
By watching the DK custom video axle removal is pretty straight forward,remove tire,caliper,caliper mounting bracket,remove 4 bolts that hold retainer slide out axle.The only catch would be getting the other end of axle out which could result in removing the rear end assembly.If Kevin from DK could chime in to correct anything i missed that would be great.Trying to convince him to get extended warranty.

Keep bugging him to get it. I have had both the trikes, a 2010 FLHXXX and a 2015 Freewheeler. Both bikes were maintained by the book. The motors were neither lugged or over revved. both bikes were heat demons no mater what I did to them, double oil coolers, love jugs tank lifts, cooling wings, extended floor boards ext. I did not put a stage one air cleaner on either one because Harley did not have a tuner that worked on a trike. I didn't go with after market tuners as they would void my warranty. On both bikes the extended warranty saved me thousands of dollars. The Harley trikes are fine if you don't put more than 30,000 miles on them before you get rid of them but if you put high mileage like 50 to 70 thousand miles. and ride 400 to 500 mile a day for days at a time like trips of 3 to 4 thousand miles a trip they are junk and wont stand up.

By the way I am not running down Harley as a rule. I now have a sportster trike that runs flawlessly, doesn't heat up and is far more comfortable to ride