Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1980 Harley-Davidson 1340 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
7
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE INVOLVED MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE HAD INADEQUATE INITIAL BEARING LUBRICATIONS AND SEALING. DEPENDING ON THE DEGREE OF INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION, THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE FRONT AND/OR REAR WHEEL BEARINGS.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Defect
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE CONTROL MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE FRAME DUE TO STRESSES PRIMARILY CAUSED BY THE LENGTH OF THE BRAKE CONTROL MOUNTING BOLTS.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE CONTROL MOUNTING BOLTS AND ADD A LOCK PLATE WITHOUT CHARGE.
Defect
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES THERE MAY BE A GRADUAL LOOSENING OF THE REAR SPROCKET BOLT(S) AND A DECREASE IN THE CLAMPING FORCE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN A SECURE ATTACHMENT OF THE REAR WHEEL SPROCKET TO THE WHEEL.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE (5) REAR WHEEL SPROCKET BOLTS AT NO CHARGE.
Defect
THE ADJUSTING SCREW, WHICH MOUNTS THROUGH A FORK LOCK LEVER ASSEMBLY INTO THE FORK LOCK ITSELF, MAY NOT BE FULLY AND SECURELY ENGAGED BECAUSE THE SCREW MAY NOT BE LONG ENOUGH. THIS MAY ALLOW THE FORK PIN TO DROP AND ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGE THE FORK LOCK.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL AN ADJUSTING SCREW KIT FREE OF CHARGE.
Defect
THERE IS A POTENTIAL MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE FORK LOCK PIN RETURN MECHANISM WHICH MIGHT ALLOW THE FORK PIN TO DROP AND INADVERTENTLY ENGAGE THE FORK LOCK DURING LEFT HAND TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS.
Remedy
DEALER WILL BE INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH/FORK LOCK ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Defect
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE HEAD OF THE REAR WHEEL SPROCKET MOUNTING BOLT COULD BREAK OFF AND EVENTUALLY WEDGE ITSELF BETWEEN THE ALUMINUM CHAIN HOUSING AND THE SPROCKET. THIS DEFECT IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROCESS WHICH MAY CAUSE THE BOLTS TO BECOME BRITTLE.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE ALL FIVE REAR WHEEL SPROCKET MOUNTING BOLTS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
Defect
THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER CASTING ON CERTAIN VEHICLES COULD BE POROUS AND COULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO SEEP FROM THE CALIPER ASSEMBLY. IF THIS OCCURS, THE REAR BRAKES WILL GRADUALLY LOSE FLUID AND PRESSURE.
Remedy
DEALER WILL TEST AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1980 Harley-Davidson 1340. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.