Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- Component
- Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- Manufacturer
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY
- Vehicles affected
- 18,758
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2006-12-19
- Owners notified
- 2007-01-11
Defect description
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AS A RESULT OF A GREATER BODY THICKNESS THAN USED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR MAY CONTACT THE FRONT FENDER UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. IN SOME CASES THIS CONTACT MAY ALLOW THE FRONT FENDER TO CATCH ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE REGULATOR BODY WHICH COULD IMPEDE THE OPERATOR'S ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE.
Safety risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
Manufacturer remedy
ON MOTORCYCLES WHICH DO NOT HAVE ACCESSORY ENGINE GUARDS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INTERMEDIATE MOUNTING BRACKET THAT WILL RELOCATE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO A POSITION WHICH PROVIDES MORE CLEARANCE FROM THE FRONT FENDER. ON VEHICLES WITH AN ACCESSORY ENGINE GUARDS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE THINNNER DIMENSION VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO AVOIDE THE FRONT FENDER CLEARANCE PROBLEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 22, 2007. A SECOND CUSTOMER LETTER REFLECTING THE ABOVE REMEDY WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ON MARCH 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.