Harley-Davidson recalling 185,000 motorcycles to replace saddlebag mounts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Harley-Davidson is recalling more than 185,000 2014 and 2015 model year motorcycles because the saddlebags may fall off, NHTSA announced.

According to the Motor Co., affected motorcycles have saddlebag mounting receptacles (Part No. 10900009) that may not adequately secure the saddlebags to the motorcycle. The saddlebags could separate from the bike while riding, the OEM said. Harley-Davidson began an investigation into the issue back in January, it said, due to elevated warranty claims.

Involved are the following models from the 2014 and 2015 years:

Road King (FLHR)
Street Glide (FLHX) and Street Glide Special (FLHXS)
Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU)
Ultra Limited (FLHTK)
Police Road King (FLHP) and Police Electra Glide (FLHTP)
CVO Ultra Limited (FLHTKSE)
From the 2014 model year:

CVO Road King (FLHRSE) And from the 2015 model year:

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)
Dealers are asked to replace the saddlebag mounting receptable with a new one, free of charge. "The updated receptacle uses Stainless Steel Type 17-7 PH for the wire spring instead of Stainless Steel per ASTM A313, which is what was used for the wire spring on the receptacles on the motorcycles in the recall population," the OEM told NHTSA. "The additional strength of the Stainless Steel Type 17-7 PH has been proven through our testing to eliminate the spring yield issue."

Motorcycles produced starting on May 26 of this year were built with the updated receptable, the OEM added.

The recall is expected to begin July 27.