Deluxe Soft Front Brake

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Deluxe Soft Front Brake

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Deluxe Soft Front Brake - 5/19/2008 5:27:30 AM

MY06

Posts: 1
Joined: 5/19/2008
Status: offline

My recently purchased '05 Deluxe has a very soft front brake, I cannot even let my fingers between handle and grip when applying.
The pads seem to be thick enough,It was recently inspected and given the okay for brakes. the resevoir lid is a chrome Harley after-market, I cannot see any fluid around it.
My question is: What should the fluid level be? Does it get checked upright or on jiffy stand? Could the seal possibly be bad and my fluid evaporating? Any help would be appreciated, this handle seems to give way too much compared to other Harleys I've owned.

Post #: 1

RE: Deluxe Soft Front Brake - 5/20/2008 9:58:16 AM

mjmangus

Posts: 74
Joined: 5/18/2008
Status: offline

I have a similar problem with my 05 Road King. I've bled the brakes over and over again. I would also be interested in any info.

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2007 Softail Custom
2005 Road King Classic
1991 CHP FXRP

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Post #: 2

RE: Deluxe Soft Front Brake - 5/20/2008 9:59:17 AM

anubisss

Posts: 11642
Joined: 1/8/2006
From: Los Angeles, CA
Status: offline

Pm makes great 6 piston calipers and the addition of steel braided lines always helps as well.

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Post #: 3

RE: Deluxe Soft Front Brake - 5/20/2008 10:37:11 AM

JohnnyBoy

Posts: 434
Joined: 4/20/2007
Status: offline

Rest your bike on the jiffy stand, and turn your handlebars to the left to get the resevior somewhat level. Take off the cover and set it down. The service manual states that the fluid
level should be up to 1/8th of an inch from the top. if it isn't, fill it to this point with DOT5 brake fliud (which was used for the 05 softails). If your fluid level is already there, then you have air in there somewhere, which means whoever installed the new chrome resevoir, did not bleed the brake system correctly. There are many, many threads on bleeding brakes on this forum, so if thats the case, do a search. Bleeding brakes is very time consuming for 1 person as well as rather difficult, but you should be able to handle it. Hope this helps.

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Post #: 4

RE: Deluxe Soft Front Brake - 5/20/2008 12:50:16 PM

Jerseytwin

Posts: 252
Joined: 9/1/2006
From: Merchantville New Jersey
Status: offline

I use the Mighty vac system for bleeding my brakes.....$28.00 at Auto Zone....hope this helps

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06 Deluxe
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Arlen Ness "Big Sucker" stage 1.
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Post #: 5

RE: Deluxe Soft Front Brake - 5/20/2008 2:01:29 PM

DeJavu

Posts: 2824
Joined: 6/29/2007
From: Bellville, Tx
Status: offline

I'm not too familiar with the late models, but on my Evo there is an adjustment bolt on the lever where it pushes on the piston. There should be minimum play before the piston starts to move (1/8" is good). If the adjustment is good, yes you need to bleed.

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Post #: 6

RE: Deluxe Soft Front Brake - 5/20/2008 2:40:52 PM

rotorhead