1980 Harley-Davidson Tour Glide (flt)

The 1980 Harley-Davidson Tour Glide (FLT) has 5 recalls, all rated at the same severity level, with the most serious being two separate defects that can lock the front fork while riding and cause a complete loss of steering control.

Both steering-related issues trace to the ignition switch and fork lock assembly. In one case, a mechanical failure inside the assembly can allow the fork lock pin to drop and engage unexpectedly while the motorcycle is in motion. In the other, the adjusting screw that holds the assembly in position may be too short to stay engaged, and once it slips free, the fork lock pin can fall into the locked position just the same. Either way, the rider loses the ability to steer.

On the wheel and braking side, there are three additional concerns. The rear wheel sprocket mounting bolts can gradually loosen over time, reducing the clamping force that holds the sprocket to the wheel. If those bolts work loose far enough, they can also contact the spacer plate and cause the rear wheel to lock up without warning. Separately, certain motorcycles may have left the factory with wheel bearings that were not adequately lubricated or sealed, which can cause the bearings to fail and the front or rear wheel to seize. There is also a brake issue: the rear brake caliper casting on some bikes may be defective and allow brake fluid to seep out, which reduces rear braking force and can leave the rider with little to no rear brake when needed.