Steering: column locking: anti-theft device (Harley-Davidson)
Vehicle recall 80V-070. NHTSA received HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.’s report on May 29, 1980.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.’s report on May 29, 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.
THE ADJUSTING SCREW, WHICH MOUNTS THROUGH A FORK LOCK LEVER ASSEMBLY INTO THE FORK LOCK ITSELF, MAY NOT BE FULLY AND SECURELY ENGAGED BECAUSE THE SCREW MAY NOT BE LONG ENOUGH.
THIS MAY ALLOW THE FORK PIN TO DROP AND ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGE THE FORK LOCK.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Steering: column locking: anti-theft device.
What should you do?
DEALER WILL INSTALL AN ADJUSTING SCREW KIT FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; IGNITION SWITCH; FORK LOCK ASSEMBLY.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE FORK LOCK COULD BE ENGAGED, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: THE DEFECT IS LIKELY TO OCCUR DURING EXTREME LEFT HAND TURNS AT LOWSPEEDS WHEN THE HANDLEBAR MUST BE PHYSICALLY ROTATED TO ITS LEFT STOP.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 3,860 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
-
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.