BLOG-There was a 2014 Harley-Davidson clutch recall in the fall of 2013 in which they replace a plunger in the master cylinder. This is an entirely new clutch recall that came out September 8, 2014 in where the primary cup (seal) on the 
master cylinder piston develops a tear. In both cases the system may lose the ability to maintain sufficient lift to keep the clutch disengaged. This could allow the motorcycle to “creep” forward from a stop, which could lead to a loss of control of the vehicle possibly causing a crash. You should get this done right away.
Take your Harley Davidson to a dealer and they will rebuild the clutch mastercylinder using the recall kit at no charge of course. Below is the information to give your dealer.
- This is NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V-537.
- Harley Davidson recall campaign number: 0159
Check your VIN Number here to see if your Harley-Davidson has any recalls.
Here is the full information and effected Harley-Davidson Models:
Certain 2014 FLHTCU, FLHTCU TC, FLHTK, FLHTK SHRINE, FLHTP, FLHX, FLHX SHRINE, FLHXS, FLHTKSE and FLHRSE model motorcycles built 22103/2013 through 18/07/2014 (US) and 25103/2013 through 20108/2014 (outside US), equipped with original equipment Clutch Master Cylinders or Chrome Accessory Clutch Master Cylinders may have a condition affecting motor vehicle safety.
SUMMARY:
On both original equipment and Harley-Davidson Parts & Accessories intended for these bike models, the hydraulic clutch system may develop a tear in the primarycup (seal) on the master cylinder piston.
SAFETY RISK:
If the primary cup (seal) on the master cylinder piston develops a tear, then the system may lose the ability to maintain sufficient lift to keep the clutch disengaged. If this condition remains undetected, it could allow the motorcycleto “creep” forward from a stop, which could lead to a loss of control of the vehicle possibly causing a crash.
REMEDY:
If your clutch will not disengage don't freak out. Here are some basic tips, but my advice is that of Harley-Davidson, which is not to ride your effected model until the recall work is done. These are just a few tips for any motorcycle where the clutch fails to disengage.
- Turn engine switch to OFF immediately and use your brakes to stop. Turn on hazard lights.
- Or apply your brakes hard until your engine dies and then you will be stopped. Turn on hazard lights.
- Whatever you do, don't freak out and swerve into oncoming lanes or in front of other cars.
- Your hydraulic clutch will likely give you signs before it stops disengaging completely, like rough shifting (loud clanking when shifting and jerking), so pay attention and get off the road ASAP if you notice anything unusual.
Actual Harley-Davidson Recall Letter:
Dear Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc. has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain model year 2014 Touring (FLHTCU, FLHTK, FLHTP, FLHX, FLHXS) and CVO touring (FLHTKSE, FLHRSE) motorcycles. We are notifying you because our records indicate that you own one of the affected motorcycles.
What is the issue?
On some of these motorcycles, the hydraulic clutch system may develop a tear in the primary cup (seal) of the master cylinder piston. If this occurs, the system may lose the ability to maintain sufficient lift to keep the clutch disengaged. If this condition remains undetected, it could allow the motorcycle to “creep” forward from a stop, which could lead to a loss of control of the vehicle possibly causing a crash. Harley-Davidson has initiated this recall to correct this condition in the affected motorcycles. Please keep in mind that this applies to your motorcycle even if you have replaced the original equipment clutch master cylinder with a Harley-Davidson Parts and Accessories master cylinder.
What Should You Do?
Please contact your authorized Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealer immediately and arrange an appointment to have your motorcycle repaired. Your dealer will confirm that your motorcycle is covered by this recall. If covered, the dealer will rebuild the clutch master cylinder with the recall kit at no cost to you. The repair will take less than one hour to perform. However, due to scheduling, the dealer may require your motorcycle for a longer period of time. To verify that that service has been completed, your dealer will ask you to sign a recall claim.
If you have sold your motorcycle and have an address for the current owner, it is important that you forward this notice to the new owner. Alternatively, you may contact us at the Harley-Davidson phone numbers listed below and provide us the contact information for your purchaser so that we may notify the new owner of this recall. Also, Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.
What If You Have Additional Questions or Concerns?
If you take your motorcycle to your dealer on the mutually agreed upon date and they are unable to perform the required service to your satisfaction, please contact Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc. for immediate assistance at 1-800-258-2464 in the U.S. or 1-414-343-4056 world-wide.
If you are still having difficulty getting your vehicle repaired in a reasonable time, you may write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington DC 20590; or call the toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safecar.gov.
We regret any inconvenience this may cause you, but we are initiating this action in the interest of you personal safety and satisfaction with our products. Thank you for you cooperation.
Sincerely,
Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc.
Recall 0159
Great info. I was in the dealer and found out about this 20-minutes after it happened for the first time. Dealer was a little sketchy on info so I called LAB and got the skinny. Thanks for keeping us up to date.
Awesome info brother and thanks for commenting….ride safe!!
2014 FLHTK….4500 miles and 2 months old. I have always noticed by bike creep forward upon starting in 1st gear with the clutch disengaged. I am assuming I have this issue or is this normal with this bike. Also shifts hard and HD told me this is normal. My other concern is the transmission damage from this and unnecessary wear and drag on the starter, when starting in gear.
Thanks for the article.
Larry, you bike should absolutely not be doing that. It should shift very smooth and the clutch should completely disengage. You need to get it in ASAP and get the 2 clutch recalls done.
If your not in the free email club make sure and get singed up. I put out very important recalls like this. https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/emailclub
Thanks Ryan…greatly appreciated. I will be scheduling tomorrow. Should I be concerned about any damage to the bikes transmission/gears…there was never any grinding, just a clunk in every gear. The starter was also a concern…that it has taken a lot of unnecessary load starting the bike with the additional load of the bike partially being in gear…should I be concerned?
Thanks Again!
OK…recall complete, but my bike still edges forward when I start it in gear. It does this just as the starter engages and subsides after the bike is running. The tech told me that this was normal. I was at the dealership the other day…out in the parking lot, admiring another bike with my parts guy, when this biker started his bike and we all could see it edge forward as the starter engaged. The parts guy told him that he needed to have the recall taken care of. The biker said he did and it has always done that. I told the parts guy what the tech had told me and he shrugged his shoulders and said, “What do I know…I’m just a parts guy” How am I supposed to take this?
In our experience this is normal. All of our bikes will edge forward a bit when started in gear. This is because the clutch isn’t warmed up yet and why they want you to start it up in neutral.
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Thanks,
Matt
Glad you liked it.
wonderful post.