Harley-Davidson Motor Company: Safety Recalls in 1979

Updated on March 19, 2026.

There were 8 safety recalls made by Harley-Davidson Motor Company in 1979. See the details of the recalls below.

You can also see similar information for other manufacturers.

Data Source: NHTSA.

See this for other years:

November 6, 1979

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRONT FENDER BOLTS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY LOOSEN AFTER EXTENDED VEHICLE USE. IF UNDETECTED, THE LOOSENING COULD RESULT IN EITHER BOLT LOSS OR FAILURE WHICH COULD ALLOW THE FENDER TO CONTACT THE TIRE.

NHTSA ID: 79V246000

Component: STRUCTURE

# of Units Affected: 57,694

Consequence Summary:

Corrective Action:

DEALER WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FRONT FENDER BRACKET SYSTEM AT NO COST TO OWNER.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

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July 9, 1979

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:PEDAL

BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL IS MADE OF ALUMINUM CASTINGS IT COULD BREAK AT THE PEDAL ARM OR CLAMPING HOLE.

NHTSA ID: 79V167000

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

# of Units Affected: 27,546

Consequence Summary:

Corrective Action:

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL WITHOUT CHARGE.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

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July 9, 1979

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:MASTER CYLINDER:PISTONS:CUPS:SPRI

THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER PLASTIC PISTON EMPLOYS A NON-SPECIFIED MATERIAL WHICH MAY ALLOW EXCESSIVE WATER ABSORPTION. AS A RESULT, THE PLASTIC PISTON MIGHT STICK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTON BORE AND CAUSE BRAKE DRAG.

NHTSA ID: 79V169000

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

# of Units Affected: 21,970

Consequence Summary:

Corrective Action:

DEALER WILL REPLACE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER PISTONS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

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May 31, 1979

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

EQUIPMENT

THE SEAT HANDRAIL MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED TO THE MOTORCYCLE WITH THE TWO CENTER ATTACHING BOLTS MISSING. IF THESE TWO BOLTS ARE MISSING THE SEAT WILL BE ATTACHED BY THE FRONT BRACKET AND REAR BOLT ONLY.

NHTSA ID: 79V136000

Component:

# of Units Affected: 2,547

Consequence Summary:

Corrective Action:

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL THE PROPER SEAT HANDRAIL HOLD DOWN HARDWARE.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

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May 11, 1979

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LINKAGE:PEDAL

THE REAR BRAKE FREE TRAVEL ADJUSTING BOLT AND NUT INSTALLED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED. THIS COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME JAMMED DURING BRAKE OPERATION.

NHTSA ID: 79V115000

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

# of Units Affected: 635

Consequence Summary:

Corrective Action:

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST AND TIGHTEN THE JAMNUTS.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

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May 10, 1979

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:MASTER CYLINDER:OTHER

THE INVOLVED CYCLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD WHICH HAS INSUFFICIENT CONTACT AREA WITH THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER PISTON. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE ROD PENETRATING THE PISTON DURING EXTREMELY HIGH PEDAL EFFORT.

NHTSA ID: 79V114000

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

# of Units Affected: 3,074

Consequence Summary:

Corrective Action:

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

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April 17, 1979

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:MASTER CYLINDER:HOUSING

CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS WHICH HAVE FISSURES IN THE CYLINDER BODIES. THIS WOULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE THROUGH THE FISSURED SECTION.

NHTSA ID: 79V100000

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

# of Units Affected: 370

Consequence Summary:

Corrective Action:

DEALER WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNERS.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

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January 4, 1979

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:DISC:CALIPER

THE INVOLVED MOTORCYCLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INCORRECT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTON ASSEMBLY WHICH ALLOWS EXCESSIVE CALIPER PAD RETRACTION FROM THE FRONT BRAKE DISC. BECAUSE OF THIS, MORE THAN ONE APPLICATION OF THE FRONT HANDLEVER COULD BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE EFFECTIVE FRONT BRAKING OF THE MOTORCYCLE.

NHTSA ID: 79V005000

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

# of Units Affected: 85

Consequence Summary:

Corrective Action:

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER AT NO COST TO OWNER.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

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