1999 Honda GL1500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH KENDA KRUZ K673 TIRES (N/A), TIRE SIZE 160/80/16 (N/A). THE DOT NUMBER WAS K3BP2311. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE AND MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR TIRE EXHIBITED TREAD SEPARATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A TREAD SEPARATION ON THE FRONT TIRE WITH THE DOT NUMBER OF K3U24010. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,940.

A 1999 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE WAS CONVERTED TO A TRIKE USING A CONVERSION KIT MANUFACTURED BY CHAMPION TRIKES, A DIVISION OF CHAMPION MOTORCYCLE ACCESSORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC FROM GARDEN GROVE CALIFORNIA. THE KIT USED WAS MANUFACTURED IN AUGUST OF 2006 WITH A SERIAL NUMBER OF 709268. THE SWING ARM ASSEMBLY IS THE MAIN CONNECTING MEMBER THAT JOINS THE TWO WHEEL REAR END TO THE FRONT END OF THE MOTORCYCLE. ON AUGUST 12, 2011 TWO CRACKS WERE FOUND IN THE SWING ARM STEEL AFFECTING BOTH SIDES OF THE ASSEMBLY. HAD THESE CRACKS BROKEN LOOSE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE REAR END COULD SEPARATE FROM THE FRONT RESULTING IN SEVERE BODILY INJURY AND/OR DEATH OF THE RIDER AND PASSENGER. WHEN A CHAMPION REPRESENTATIVE WAS CONTACTED FOR ASSISTANCE IN REPAIR HE SAID IT WAS OUT OF THE THREE YEAR WARRANTY AND TOTALLY THE OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THEY HAD NO INTEREST IN WHY IT HAD CRACKED OR DESIRE TO SEE THE FAILED PART. (THE REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE AND THE DEFECTIVE PART RETAINED.) THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS NOT BEEN WRECKED OR SUBJECTED TO ANY FORCE THAT CAUSED THE CRACKS TO OUR KNOWLEDGE. IT IS RIDDEN BY MY WIFE. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER CHAMPION TRIKE CONVERSIONS ON THE ROAD WITH THE SAME CRACKS THAT ARE POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN. ACCORDING TO CHAMPION, THEY HAVE SOLD 17,000 OF THESE CONVERSIONS. THE CRACKS IN THE PART HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS "STRESS CRACKS" BY THE DEALER THAT MADE THE REPAIR AND ALSO BY A FRIEND THAT WORKS WITH STEEL. THE CRACK

PIECE THAT COVERS THE OIL FILTER AND OTHER PARTS ON BODY FRAME CRACKED APART WITHOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT, OR WITHOUT ANY FORCE BEING APPLIED.*AK

FRONT END HAS A SPEED WOBBLE WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET. *AK

DRIVE BOOT COVERS THE DRIVESHAFT TO PREVENT DIRT & GRIME TO ENTER. HOWEVER, IT DEVELOPED A HOLE, AND IS ALLOWING DIRT TO GET TO UNIVERSAL JOINT. DRIVESHAFT SHAFT WOULD LOCK UP. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

THE REARVIEW MIRRORS ON MOTORCYCLE WOULD VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO HAVE POOR VISIBILITY WHEN CHECKING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CAN NOT INDICATE HOW FAR OR CLOSE OTHER VEHICLES ARE LOCATED. *AK