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Harley-Davidson Recalls More Than 185,000 Bikes for Saddlebags That May Come Loose

Harley-Davidson is recalling 185,272 motorcycles equipped with luggage systems and whose saddlebags may, in certain conditions, separate from their racks.
2015 CVO Road Glide Ultra 1 photo
Photo: Harley-Davidson
According to the motorcycle manufacturer, the saddlebag mounting receptacles may not adequately secure the sidecases. In case they become separated from the motorcycle, loose saddlebags can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Harley began an internal investigation in January 2015 after observing the number of warranty claims that mentioned this problem. Even though no crashes or injuries were reported back then, a root cause team was formed.

A misaligned support rail for the lower saddlebag

The first assumption was that one of the support rails for the lower saddlebag was misaligned, thus increasing the load on the retention system. Subsequent investigations, alongside saddlebag retention clips sent over by customers who had filed a warranty claim led to test labs in march.

As the customer complaints kept on coming in, Harley finally proved that "the combination of a misaligned support rail, joint stack-up differences and a spring wire in the retention system" could yield under heavier loads.

Dealers will fix the affected bikes using an updated receptacle from the recall kit supplied, free of charge. Bike manufactured after May 26, 2015 and equipped with saddlebags have already received the new receptacles.

Here is the list of 2014-2015 affected models:

2014-2015 Road King (FLHR),
Street Glide (FLHX),
Street Glide Special (FLHXS),
Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU),
Ultra Limited (FLHTK),
Police Road King (FLHP),
Police Electra Glide (FLHTP),
CVO Ultra Limited (FLHTKSE),
2014 CVO Road King (FLHRSE),
2015 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).
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