Harley-Davidson Motor Company: Safety Recalls in 1981

Updated on March 19, 2026.

There were 2 safety recalls made by Harley-Davidson Motor Company in 1981. See the details of the recalls below.

You can also see similar information for other manufacturers.

Data Source: NHTSA.

See this for other years:

December 1, 1981

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:4 SPEED

TRANSMISSION MAY FAIL TO PERFORM PROPERLY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. THIS COULD LEAD TO TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP DURING OPERATION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

NHTSA ID: 81V144000

Component: POWER TRAIN

# of Units Affected: 3,585

Consequence Summary:

Corrective Action:

A NEW SPECIAL LUBRICANT WILL BE ADDED TO THE TRANSMISSION. ANY DAMAGED 4-SPEED TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

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January 26, 1981

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

BRAKES:MECHANICAL SERVICE:OTHER

IF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER SHOULD "OVER-TRAVEL" WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS OPERATED OVER ROUGH TERRAIN, THE CURRENT POSITION OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER COULD CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE LINE TO CONTACT THE RIGHT SADDLE BAG CARRIER. THIS COULD CAUSE A DEFORMATION IN THE REAR BRAKE LINE.

NHTSA ID: 81V011000

Component:

# of Units Affected: 1,884

Consequence Summary:

Corrective Action:

ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE REAR BRAKE TORQUE ARM WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE OF A NEW DESIGN. THE RIGHT SADDLE BAG CARRIER WILL BE MODIFIED, IF NECESSARY.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

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