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Vehicle recall 81V144000 · December 1, 1981

1982 Harley-Davidson FL Series

Transmission may fail to perform properly due to insufficient lubrication.

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

Summary
Transmission may fail to perform properly due to insufficient lubrication. This could lead to transmission lock-up during operation without prior warning.
Remedy
A new special lubricant will be added to the transmission. Any damaged 4-speed transmission will be replaced, without charge to owner.
Notes
Vehicle description: motorcycles.system: power train; 4-speed transmission.consequences of defect: transmission lock-up may result in loss of vehiclecontrol and, possibly, an accident.note: manufacturer advices that the motorcycles should not be operated prior tocorrection of the defect.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign
81V144000
Reported to NHTSA
December 1, 1981
Filed by
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.
Owner notification
December 14, 1981
Vehicles potentially affected
3,585
Initiated by
the manufacturer
Components
Power train › Manual transmission
Recall 81V144000 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.

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.