Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages (Harley-Davidson)
Vehicle recall 78V-079. NHTSA received HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.’s report on Apr 11, 1978.
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The short answer
NHTSA received HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.’s report on Apr 11, 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.
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WEAK REAR BRAKE CONTROL INNER LEVER ARM AND PIVOT SHAFTS.
AS A RESULT, EXCESSIVE PRESSURE WILL BE NEEDED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages.
What should you do?
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE EXISTING LEVER ARMS AND PIVOT SHAFTS WITH REINFORCED ONES.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; PIVOT SHAFT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE MAY CAUSE PEDALDEFORMATION AND LOSS OF REAR BRAKES, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 568 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Harley-Davidson XLH1000and 1979, 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.