Harley-Davidson recalls 19,000 Motorcycles

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Harley-Davidson is recalling just over 19,000 Dyna and Softail motorcycles from the 2012 model year because the threads for the brake line banjo bolt in the front brake master cylinder may corrode.

If the threads corrode, a sudden loss of brake fluid could result, causing a loss of the front brakes.

Models affected are the 2012 FXST103, FLSTC, FLSTC103, FLSTF, FLSTF103, FXDL, FXDWG, FXDWG103, FXDC, FXDB, FLSTN, FLSTN103, FLSTC103 Shrine, FLSTFB, FLSTFB103, FXS, FXS103, FLS, FLS103, FLD, FLD103, and FXDF and FXDF103 motorcycles manufactured from Aug. 22, 2011, through Feb. 24, 2012, for the United States and some world markets. This totals 19,015 units, Harley-Davidson told NHTSA.

The NHTSA recall campaign number is 14V794000.

Dealers are asked to flush and inspect the front brake master cylinder and, if necessary, replace the master cylinder. The recall is expected to begin Jan. 14.

"We have voluntarily declared this a defect related to motor vehicle safety (Campaign 0163 for the Softail model and Dyna model motorcycles and 0164 for the FXDF/FXDF103 model motorcycles) to allow us to formally recall all affected motorcycles. Two recalls are needed to cover all affected models because of the differences in the kit component content required for the two populations," the Motor Co. informed dealers.

"Based on warranty information, the prediction for motorcycles requiring master cylinder replacements is extremely low," Harley-Davidson said in its notification to dealers.

Dealers are permitted to sell but must not deliver any of the affected motorcycles until the remedy is complete, the OEM added.