Harley-Davidson Recalling 185,000 Motorcycles

Publish Date:
Jul 23, 2015

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.

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5 Responses to “Harley-Davidson Recalling 185,000 Motorcycles”

  1. Phillip Hart

    Yesterday while riding down interstate 58 in Suffolk Va my left saddle bag flew off and went and went violently bouncing down the asphalt just missing my wife who was behind me on her Street Glide! Luckily there was no other vehicles in the line of fire at the time (God was with us that day) Crazy thing is I had just taken the bike in due to a recall on this very issue to have the clips replaced about a week prior. According to Harley they had been replaced abd all is well. A few days later I took it in for an inspection and hadnt touched the bag since then n. Not sure if the clips were still bad or the mechanic didnt attach the bag back properly. Harley is replacing the bag; had no problems there. Please just be aware of this issue and get your bags looked at asap if you are in this recall!!

  2. Mike

    Interestingly, it is left to the dealer to make the decision. Rather than just replace the inexpensive hardware on all 185,000 bikes, it is left to the dealer to wiggle your saddlebags. If the saddlebag is loose, only then will they replace the hardware. It is imperative to ensure that the metal washer is installed between the d-ring head of the pin and the inside of the box. If that washer is missing you are at a high risk of losing your saddlebag. I was told this information yesterday when I was in for service on my 2015 Roadking.

  3. BK

    Interesting - I wonder how this SS will work in the long run for those living near the sea shores. "17-7 PH should not be used in salt water or reducing environments"

  4. Peter Weiss

    What should I do if bag already fell off and sustained damage. Pete

  5. E G Gilstrap

    Didn't get this recall on my 2014 street glide. Neither by email nor snail mail. Yesterday the saddlebag fell off the streetglide!! Not happy !! In all the other recalls I got notified! Whats up with that HD?? Now I need a new saddlebag!!