FXSTC with 7K on it and 11 months old. The brakes don't seem to stop as well as they used to. I squeeze on the lever and press like hell on the rear brake and the brakes don't feel any stronger or as if they have more stopping power. The braking feels the same if I gently apply them or hammer on them. Also, just noticed this the last time out - the foot brake lever doesn't seem to retract all the way back up. I was able to put my toes under it and pull it all the way up. I plan on bringing in to HD Friday but wondering what you brake gurus have to say before HD tries to tell me the usual - oh, it's normal crap.

 

If it wasn't for the fact that they are independent systems I would guess youhave some air in the lines. How it got there is a mystery to me unless the bike got laid down recently. Then you could have gotten some in when the reservoirs were tipped over.

 

mine was like that until i added fluid inthe footand removed some in hand brake.

 

Sounds like you need new pads to me

 

After 7,000 miles?

 

It all depends on how you use your brakes............everyone is different.........it's worth a look at the pads.The pedal will sit lower when the pads are worn. The calipar piston will have to travel more. [&:]

 

If the brakes are not releasing all the way maybe the pads got hot and glazed

 

I'm no mechanic but I do know that brakes can glaze causing them to reduce their stopping power. I just didn't know how brakes got glazed. Thanks for the info as I was thinking that perhaps they were glazed - just didn't know what caused it. I'd be willing to bet that's the problem as I'm not hard on the brakes and use the gears to slow down along with the brakes.