Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper (Harley-Davidson)
Vehicle recall 78V-042. NHTSA received HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.’s report on Mar 1, 1978.
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The short answer
NHTSA received HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.’s report on Mar 1, 1978. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
THE CLAMPING BOLT WASHER ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK DUE TO EXPOSURE TO HYDROGEN.
(THESE WASHERS WERE INCORRECTLY PROCESSED, CAUSING THEM TO BECOME BRITTLE AND BREAK).
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper.
What should you do?
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE WASHER IN THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER AT NO CHARGE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; CLAMPING BOLT WASHER (LEFT AND RIGHT).CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF A LOOSE BOLT CONDITION GOES UNNOTICED, THE CALIPERBOLT COULD LOOSEN ENOUGH TO CONTACT THE WHEEL SPOKES. THE RESULTING WHEEL ORBRAKE DAMAGE COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 3,438 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Harley-Davidson 1200 Super Glideand 1978, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.