Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA is recalling certain 2015 YZF-R3 motorcycles manufactured from January 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015. The affected motorcycles may have an incorrectly manufactured upper triple clamp that may crack while riding. If the upper triple clamp fractures, a loss of steering control may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Related documents indicated that “the handle crown (upper triple clamp) could be weakened due to improper casting temperatures during the manufacturing process. The handle crown could crack during operation, causing decreased handling stability that could result in a crash with injury or death.”
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The notice went on to say, “To correct this defect, Yamaha is initiating a Factory Modification Campaign. Affected units must have the handle crown replaced with a new one that was manufactured properly. Because the new handle crown comes with a main switch already installed, also replace the fuel cap and steering lock so the keys match.”
The notice also says, “Motorcycles that are affected should not be operated until they are modified. It is a violation of Yamaha policy for your dealership to deliver any affected motorcycle to customers until the procedures in this bulletin are performed.”
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The notice included the following list of affected primary vehicle ID numbers:
RH06Y-0006766
RH06Y-0006795
RH06Y-0006867
RH06Y-0006876
RH06Y-0006927
RH06Y-0006935
RH06Y-0006958
RH06Y-0006960
RH06Y-0006967
RH06Y-0007003
RH06Y-0007021
RH06Y-0007028
RH06Y-0007032
RH06Y-0007037
RH06Y-0007058
RH06Y-0007078
Yamaha will notify customers, and dealers will replace the upper triple clamp with a new one, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in October 2015. Owners may contact Yamaha's customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha's recall number is 990099.
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