Sears Huffy America bicycles

July 27, 1993 Release # 93-097 PRODUCT: Almost 14,000 men's and women's 20-, 24-, and 26- inch Huffy bicycles distributed under the "Huffy" or "Sears Free Spirit" trademark. The affected bicycles were manufactured and distributed nationwide between February 1993 and March 1993. Affected models are listed on the attached news release. PROBLEM: Affected bicycles have a defect that may cause the plastic hand brake levers to break during use. If the lever breaks, the rider could fail to stop and fall from the bicycle. The bicycles also fail to meet the Federal Bicycle Standard that requires the hand brake levers to withstand a force up to 100 pounds. WHAT TO DO: Consumers who have an affected model should call the Huffy Bicycle Company at 888-366-3828 for free replacement brake levers. Consumers who do not wish to replace the levers themselves can ask for the location of the nearest Huffy Bicycle Company Authorized Service Center where the bicycle can be taken for a free inspection and brake lever replacement. Consumers should discontinue using affected bicycles until brake levers are replaced. WASHINGTON, DC -- CPSC, Huffy Bicycle Company, a division of Huffy Corporation, Dayton, OH is voluntarily recalling approximately 14,000 men's and women's 20-inch, 25-inch and 26-inch bicycles, manufactured and distributed nationwide between February 17, 1993 and March 15, 1993. During routine testing, Huffy found some of the bicycles' plastic hand brake levers contained a defect that may cause the levers to break during use. If the brake lever breaks, the rider could fail to stop and risk potential injury. The Federal Bicycle Standard requires that hand brake levers withstand a force up to 100 pounds. The bicycle models that have the defective levers bear either the "Huffy" or the "Sears Free Spirit" trademark. Models that may contain defective brake levers are identified by the model number and date of manufacture listed below. The date of manufacture code and model number are embossed into the crank housing of each bicycle. MODELS THAT MAY CONTAIN DEFECTIVE BRAKE LEVERS Model Model Numbers,Size and Name K4522 24" Z24 K4532 24" Mont Claire K4562 24" Night Heat K4572 24" Highland K4583 24" Sledge Hammer K6613 26" Expedition K6662 26" Titanium K6672 26" Titanium 14642 24" Wild Slide 14652 24" Wild Slide 16653 26" Fastback 23583 20" Sledge Hammer 24253 24" Laurel Bay 24522 24" Mudslinger 24523 24" Snake River 24532 24" Double Take 24533 24" Pasadena 24563 24" Swamp Water 24603 24" Mojave Gulch 24612 24" Regatta 24613 24" Mojave Gulch 24623 24" Megaforce 24643 24" Z18 24653 24" Z18 26223 26" Silhouette 26622 26" Mojave Gulch 26623 26" Mojave Gulch 26632 26" Mojave Gulch 26643 26" Fire Mountain 26671 26" Stalker LX 26683 26" Thunder Ridge 26693 26" Thunder Ridge 34213 24" Essence 34253 24" Tropic Bay 34533 24" Street Heat 34563 24" Jack Hammer 34583 24" Shock Treatment 34603 24" Dirt Thrower 34613 24" Regatta 36612 26" Destroyer 36632 26" Mojave Ridge 36683 24" Sledge Hammer 44523 24" Force One 45533 24" Paradise 45543 24" Bull Run 44613 24" Regatta 44653 24" Z-18 44663 24" Tidal Water 46523 26" Cherokee 46533 26" Cherokee 46643 26" Snake Rock 46672 26" Key West 54602 24" Mt. Storm 54613 24" Mt. Storm 56563 26" America 56573 26" America 56603 26" Mt. Storm 56613 26" Mt. Storm 74533 24" Wild River 74623 24" Ultra Force 76683EF 26" Thunder Ridge 76693J 26" Thunder Ridge 76693EF 26" Thunder Ridge 84612 24" Key Largo 84623 24" Stomper 2 86203 26" Cross II 86213 26" Cross II 24583 24" Sledge Hammer 16643 26" Fastback 24233 24" Beverly Hills 26233 26" Silhouette 26603 26" Rock Trail 26613 26" Rock Trail 86623 26" Sandy Creek 86633 26" Sandy Creek 86673 26" Black Bear Date of manufacture codes that contain the defective brake levers are: 90483, 90493, 90503, 90533, 90543, 90553, 90563, 90573, 90603, 90613, 90623, 90633, 90643, 90673, 90683, 90693, 90703, 90713, and 90743. Some of the bicycles with the above date codes and model numbers were tested by Huffy and determined to have complying brake levers. These models have an American flag approval label with the "Huffy" name on a black background located high on the seat mast. Consumers who have both a bicycle model and a date of manufacture code date listed above and no American flag approval label on the bicycle should Call Huffy Bicycle Company at 888-366-3828 to receive replacement brake levers free of charge. Consumers who do not wish to replace the levers themselves can ask for the location of the nearest Huffy Bicycle Company Authorized Service Center where the bicycle can be taken for free inspection and brake lever replacement. Consumers should discontinue using affected bicycles until brake levers are replaced.Neither CPSC nor Huffy Bicycle Company is aware of any injuries involving these bicycles; this recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The potentially hazardous bicycles were reported to CPSC by Huffy Bicycle Company. CPSC is announcing this replacement program as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risk of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction