The 1978 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1000 (XLCH) has two recalls, both affecting braking: the front brake master cylinder can leak hydraulic fluid and gradually lose braking force, and the rear brake pedal casting can crack and break, eliminating rear braking entirely.
The front brake issue stems from the master cylinder bore running slightly oversized, which allows fluid to bypass the piston seals and bleed out over time, reducing stopping power at the front wheel. This recall applies to vehicles sold in Ontario. The rear brake pedal is cast aluminum and can fracture at the pedal arm or mounting point, leaving the rider with no rear brake at all.
At a glance
What can fail
The aluminum rear brake pedal casting can crack or break at the pedal arm or clamping hole, causing loss of rear braking ability.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The front brake master cylinder bore may be oversized, reducing how tightly the piston seals fit. This can cause brake fluid to leak and result in loss of front braking ability.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
