Harley-Davidson Recall — Headlights May Fail

Recall Notice: 21V225000

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V225000

Harley-Davidson is recalling certain 2019-2021 Sportster (XL) motorcycles and 796 headlight assemblies that may have been sold as replacement parts for 2005-2019 Sportster, 2005-2017 Softail, 2005-2017 Dyna, and 2005-2011 V-Rod motorcycles. The glass bulb within the headlight assembly may fail, causing a loss of both high and low beams.

Obviously, a loss of both headlight beams can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

The interior of the bulb shield in an unknown number of XL Headlamp Assemblies, part number 68297-05A, may have been produced with a glossy, chrome finish. If this condition is present, the resulting thermal conditions may cause a hole to develop in the tip of the dual-filament bulb, which in turn may allow the sealed gas to escape from the bulb, thereby causing the powered filament to fail prematurely. Investigation of this issue indicates that switching to a different beam (high to low or low to high) to restore lighting causes the second filament to fail.

Affected Motorcycles

The specific make/model/year is in the attached chart and the potential number of units affected is 31,346.

The remedy is that Harley-Davidson is notifying owners, and dealers will install a headlamp bulb shield, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson’s number for this recall is 0177.

Reference NHTSA Document (PDF).

Photos courtesy of Harley-Davidson and NHTSA.

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On The Field

Big Ben

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is an example of an athlete throwing discretion out the window when riding on a motorcycle with a temporary permit and no helmet.  “Big Ben’s” motorcycle accident and subsequent facial lacerations were severe enough that authorities initially could not identify him.

That was 2006 and this is not a post to bash the non-helmet motorcycle riders of the world. Frankly, I have a bit of a gripe with athletes in general, who decide to risk their health and well being even more than they already do in their respective professions…especially when they have a commitment to the organizations that employ them.

I could cite more examples of athletes’ misfortunes with motorcycles, but there is a point to be made.  I’m thinking Roethlisberger’s emotional state of having lived through what must have been an exhilarating motorcycle accident will play a big part in the Steelers comeback and win on Sunday!

And speaking of the football game…the Boss will host a 12-minute “party.”  The fans will fawn, the press will recite hosannas, but the new album “Working on a Dream” sounds terrible (it’s flat).  I’m a Boss fan, but this album doesn’t demand listening.  I’m not sure what kind of statement Bruce is making, but selling in Wal-Mart implies “My company paid me so much money they can do whatever they want to make their money back”.  I thought musicians were supposed to be about more than money?  Maybe it was the fact that at last years Super Bowl Tom Petty was watched by more than 148M  viewers in the U.S.?  But this isn’t so much about the Boss. This is about our culture.  If something generates a lot of revenue, you can’t say anything negative about it.  “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” has proven that after 3 weeks in the number one spot.

Super Bowl XLIII (43) is here at last, go Steelers.

Photo courtesy Steelers.

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