Harley-Davidson is issuing a recall on all Night Rod Special models from 2012 and some from 2013 because of a potentially loose license plate bracket.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the mounting screws connecting the VRSDCDX‘s license plate bracket to the tail may loosen, potentially causing the plate to rub against the rear tire. This may cause the plate bracket to rotate as well as damage rear brake lines.

Harley-Davidson received a report of disengaged license plate bracket interfering with the  rear wheel of a VRSCDX Night Rod Special in July from Europe. Cross-referencing with warranty data found 23 claims related to missing screws and disengaged license plate bracket assemblies. Another report of a loose license plate bracket damaging rear brake lines was made in Canada in early August. Continue Reading »

Harley-Davidson is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its V-Rod line with a few updates as well as a special edition model.

First introduced in the 2002 model year, the V-Rod marked a new era for Harley-Davidson, with the V-Rod’s 1130cc 60-degree  V-Twin Revolution engine, the Motor Company’s first production engine with liquid cooling and overhead camshafts.

The 2012 Harley-Davidson V-Rod line is equipped with the latest generation 1250cc Revolution engine with dual overhead camshafts,  four-valve cylinder heads and fuel injection.

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Documents released by the California Air Resources Board reveal two new models from Harley-Davidson’s 2012 lineup: a 10th anniversary edition V-Rod and a new member of the Dyna family.

The CARB documents list motorcycles that have received approval for the state of California.

The Motor Company has received approval for several 2012 models including the 2012 Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special Anniversary and the 2012 Harley-Davidson Switchback.

The special edition Night Rod marks the 10th anniversary of Harley-Davidson’s V-Rod family, and is expected to feature a unique color scheme and badging.

The Switchback will use Harley-Davidson’s 103 cubic-inch (1688cc) V-Twin engine, which will also be introduced to the Fat Bob and the Wide Glide, and it will likely share the Dyna chassis as well. It is rumored the Switchback will be a touring version of the Wide Glide but with removable bags and windscreen, thus allowing it to “switch back” to a cruiser.

Also notable from the CARB documents is the omission of three models, the Softail Cross Bones, Softail Rocker and Street Glide Trike.

[Source: CARB via Cyril Huze Blog]

Two weeks ago, I took a break from my regular duties gathering news for Motorcycle.com to fly to Germany to cover the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show for our sister site AutoGuide.com.

For two hectic days, AutoGuide editor Colum Wood and I scrambled across the massive 6.2 million square foot Messe Frankfurt trade fair compound, running from press conference to press conference to get the latest on exotic sport cars, futuristic concept models and international unveilings from the automotive world.

It was heaven for car lovers, but for me, it meant fighting my way through hordes of photogs, auto-journalists and car show models to get the first photos of four-wheeled goodies from MINI, Ferrari and Lotus. Okay, I didn’t mind the car show models that much.

But I didn’t forget my day job with MO. Through this Cagers’ Paradise, I managed to find some gems for the loyal Motorcycle.com Readers.

Check out the photo gallery after the jump.

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