NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE05045

ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER TWO OWNERS OF MOTORCYCLES PRODUCED BY INDEPENDENCE MOTORCYCLE COMPANY OF TUCSON, ARIZONA, ALLEGED THAT THE SIDE MOUNT LICENSE PLATE BRACKET (SECURED AT THE REAR AXLE) SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE.WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE BRACKET REMAINED CONNECTED TO THE MOTORCYCLE BY THE TAILLIGHT WIRING.ODI HAS INSPECTED SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES AND PEER MODELS AND MET WITH THEIR OWNERS.ODI ALSO HAS DISCUSSED THIS MATTER WITH THE MANUFACTURER, SUBJECT MOTORCYCLE DEALERS, SERVICE PERSONNEL, AND AFTERMARKET COMPONENT SUPPLIERS.DURING THESE DISCUSSIONS AND MEETINGS, ODI BECAME AWARE OF TWO ADDITIONAL ALLEGATIONS OF TAG BRACKET FAILURE.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW, IT APPEARS THAT THE ALLEGED BRACKET SEPARATION RESULTS FROM UNINTENDED CONTACT BETWEEN A DISC LOCK (INSTALLED BY OWNERS TO PREVENT THEFTS) AND THE TAG BRACKET.THIS OCCURS WHEN OPERATORS FORGET TO REMOVE THE DISC LOCK PRIOR TO RIDING.IF NOT FRACTURED IMMEDIATELY, THE BRACKET MAY BE WEAKENED AND SUBSEQUENTLY FAIL WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS UNDERWAY.BASED ON THE INFORMATION CURRENTLY KNOWN TO ODI, A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND DOES NOT EXIST.THEREFORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.