NHTSA safety recall

Recall 78V159000

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder — Harley-davidson · reported 19 Jul 1978 · 342 vehicles potentially affected

What's wrong

THE INVOLVED MOTORCYCLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS IN WHICH THE PLUNGER PISTON BORE DIAMETER WAS HONED .015 INCHES OVER MAXIMUM SPECIFICATIONS. THIS OVERSIZED BORE RESULTS IN A POOR FIT BETWEEN THE ELASTOMERIC PISTON CUP AND THE CYLINDER BORE, WHICH ALLOWS FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.

The fix

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY AT NO COST TO OWNER.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FLUID DEPLETION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKINGEFFECTIVENESS, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: INSUFFICIENT BRAKE FLUID IN THE SYSTEM MAY BE INDICATED BY FLUID LEAKAGEAROUND THE MASTER CYLINDER AND INCREASED FREE PLAY IN THE HAND LEVER.

NHTSA campaign
78V159000
Filed by
Harley-davidson Motor Co.
Report received
19 Jul 1978
Owners notified
11 Aug 1978
Potentially affected
342

Vehicles covered by this recall

Whether a particular car is affected and still unrepaired depends on its VIN — a model year being listed does not mean every car of that year is included. Check any VIN free on CarLogs, or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

1978 Harley-davidson Flh1200 1978 Harley-davidson Flh80 1978 Harley-davidson Fx1200 1978 Harley-davidson Fxe1200 1978 Harley-davidson Fxs1200 1979 Harley-davidson Xlch1000 1979 Harley-davidson Xlh1000

Is this car's recall fixed?

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer, for the life of the vehicle. A CarLogs report shows the recall status for a specific VIN as reported by the manufacturer — whether it's open or repaired, and whether the fix is available yet.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall database. Look up another campaign →