Power train: driveline: differential unit (Harley-Davidson)
Vehicle recall 80V-020. NHTSA received HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.’s report on Feb 26, 1980.
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The short answer
NHTSA received HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.’s report on Feb 26, 1980. 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.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE HEAD OF THE REAR WHEEL SPROCKET MOUNTING BOLT COULD BREAK OFF AND EVENTUALLY WEDGE ITSELF BETWEEN THE ALUMINUM CHAIN HOUSING AND THE SPROCKET.
THIS DEFECT IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROCESS WHICH MAY CAUSE THE BOLTS TO BECOME BRITTLE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Power train: driveline: differential unit.
What should you do?
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE ALL FIVE REAR WHEEL SPROCKET MOUNTING BOLTS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES.SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; WHEELS; SPROCKET MOUNTING BOLTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE REAR WHEELS MAY LOCK UP AT LOW SPEEDS AND ANACCIDENT COULD OCCUR DUE TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.NOTE: DEFECT MAY BE DETECTED BY EXCESSIVE NOISE IN THE CHAIN HOUSING.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 62 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Harley-Davidson 1340and 1980, 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.