Harley-Davidson recalls 185,000 motorcycles for saddlebag issue

Hey Everybody. The following is an email I received from Billy Larson, Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets MC that he sent out to all the brothers and sisters of the Arizona Modified Motorcycle Association. It was so succinct and information packed, and on such an important subject, that I asked him if I could just share it as-is and he graciously agreed.

Billy writes …

Riders of some Harley-Davidson touring bikes should be wary about what they carry in their saddlebags until a newly announced recall is addressed. The motorcycle company is issuing a campaign affecting 185,272 examples of its 2014 and 2015 products, including the Road King, Street Glide (pictured above), Electra Glide, and many other models (full list below). On the affected cycles, the hardware holding on the bags might not secure them properly, and this can lead to the storage areas falling off while riding.

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According to the documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (as a PDF), the specific problem is that a spring wire in the saddlebag-mounting receptacle may not maintain adequate tension. Harley started investigating the issue in January following an increase in warranty claims. Engineers finally diagnosed the problem in June, and a recall was decided.

Affected owners will be notified by Harley to have the saddlebag mounting receptacles replaced with updated parts. According to the NHTSA documents, the campaign to fix this problem will begin in July 27. Bikes built after May 26 already have the improved component.

Full PR text:
RECALL Subject : Saddlebags may Separate from Motorcycle

Report Receipt Date: JUL 06, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V427000
Component(s): EQUIPMENT
Potential Number of Units Affected: 185,272
All Products Associated with this Recall
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
H-D FLHP 2014-2015
H-D FLHR 2014-2015
H-D FLHRSE 2014
H-D FLHTCU 2014-2015
H-D FLHTCUL 2015
H-D FLHTK 2014-2015
H-D FLHTKL 2015
H-D FLHTKSE 2014-2015
H-D FLHTP 2014-2015
H-D FLHX 2014-2015
H-D FLHXS 2014-2015
H-D FLHXSE 2015
H-D FLTRUSE 2015
H-D FLTRX 2015
H-D FLTRXS 2015
Details
Manufacturer: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
SUMMARY:
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Road King (FLHR), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Police Road King (FLHP), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), CVO Ultra Limited (FLHTKSE), 2014 CVO Road King (FLHRSE), and 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Road Glide (FLTRX), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), and CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE) motorcycles. The affected motorcycles have saddlebag mounting receptacles that may not adequately secure the saddlebags to the motorcycle.
CONSEQUENCE:
If a saddlebag is not adequately secured, it may separate from the motorcycle while riding, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected saddlebag mounting receptacles with updated receptacles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson’s number for this recall is 0166.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Billy Larson,  (WREX)
Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets MC