Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Motor Co. has issued a recall for 126,978 Touring motorcycles from the 2014 model year because of a potential issue with clutches. Of that number, 105,746 were shipped to the U.S.
According to director of corporate communications Maripat Blankenheim, the hydraulic clutch system may develop a tear in the primary seal on the master cylinder position. If this occurs, the system may lose the ability to maintain enough lift to keep the clutch disengaged. The motorcycle could creep forward from a stop and lead to a loss of control of the vehicle.
Blankenheim said Harley-Davidson will rebuild the clutch master cylinders for motorcycles impacted by the recall at no charge. At least 19 low-speed crashes resulting in three minor injuries have been tied to the problem.
Harley-Davidson is also recalling 1,391 Street motorcycles from the 2015 model year, including 888 that were shipped to the U.S., to test for possible fuel tank leaks, according to Blankenheim. The fuel tank filler neck in defective motorcycles may not allow the fuel cap to seal to the tank properly causing a fuel tank leak.
Harley-Davidson will replace the tank at no charge for any affected motorcycles. No accidents or injuries have been reported due to this problem.
“Both of these are voluntary recalls in the interest of customer safety and satisfaction,” Blankenheim said.
