Vehicle recall 79V169000 · July 9, 1979
Harley-Davidson 1000, 1200 and 8 more models
The rear brake master cylinder plastic piston employs a non-specified material which may allow excessive water absorption.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- The rear brake master cylinder plastic piston employs a non-specified material which may allow excessive water absorption. As a result, the plastic piston might stick in the master cylinder piston bore and cause brake drag.
- Remedy
- Dealer will replace rear brake master cylinder pistons without charge to owner.
- Notes
- Vehicle description: motorcycles.system: service brakes; rear brake master cylinder.consequences of defect: if this condition becomes severe enough, it could causeskidding of the rear wheel, loss of vehicle control, and an accident.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 79V169000
- Reported to NHTSA
- July 9, 1979
- Filed by
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.
- Owner notification
- August 24, 1979
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 21,970
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
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 1000 (1979): 1979
- Harley-Davidson 1200 (1979): 1979
- Harley-Davidson 1340 (1979): 1979
- Harley-Davidson 80 (1979): 1979
- Harley-Davidson FLH (1979): 1979
- Harley-Davidson FXE (1979): 1979
- Harley-Davidson Fxef (1979): 1979
- Harley-Davidson FXS (1979): 1979
- Harley-Davidson XLH (1979): 1979
- Harley-Davidson XLS (1979): 1979
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.
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.