Vehicle recall 79V005000 · January 4, 1979

Harley-Davidson FLH1200 and FLH80

The involved motorcycles were produced with an incorrect front brake caliper piston assembly which allows excessive caliper pad retraction from the front brake disc.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: The involved motorcycles were produced with an incorrect front brake caliper piston assembly which allows excessive caliper pad retraction from the front brake disc. Because of this, more than one application of the front handlever could be required to produce effective front braking of the motorcycle.
Remedy: The dealer will replace the front brake caliper at no cost to owner.
Notes: Vehicle description: motorcycles.system: service brakes; disc caliper.consequences of defect: if the operator does not realize that a second brakeapplication is required, or if there is insufficient time for a secondapplication, an accident could result.note: the operator will be forewarned of this condition by an increase in thehandlever movement before the front brake becomes effective. Drivers areadvised not to operate motorcycles under these circumstances.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 79V005000
Reported to NHTSA: January 4, 1979
Filed by: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.
Owner notification: January 11, 1979
Vehicles potentially affected: 85
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

Recall 79V005000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Harley-Davidson FLH1200 (1978): 1978
Harley-Davidson FLH80 (1978): 1978

Has your Harley-Davidson been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Harley-Davidson dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.