Brake Fluid Flush
Supporter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 292
From: Earth
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 320
From: Vancouver, WA
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....A%20LIMITED%20[KE]%20BRAKE%20-%20FRONT%20LINE%20(ABS)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,070
Likes: 5,321
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 713
Likes: 97
From: Castle Rock, Colorado
Now you've made me wondering again. I didn't watch the reservoir as close as I should have when flushing the front brakes and did suck air in. After a few words to myself, I figured I had to visit the dealer and have him recycle the abs system. I continued with the flush, getting all the air out and hoping it would be good enough to get me to the dealer. When I finished I started the bike up and went for a test ride around the block. I didn't get any abs warning lights. The brakes worked as normal. Went through a couple of panic stops and all worked well. The link system worked as it always has. So is it because I didn't use the brakes while it had air in the system? Was I just lucky? This was about six months and 8,000 miles ago. 
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 246
From: Columbia SC
Now you've made me wondering again. I didn't watch the reservoir as close as I should have when flushing the front brakes and did suck air in. After a few words to myself, I figured I had to visit the dealer and have him recycle the abs system. I continued with the flush, getting all the air out and hoping it would be good enough to get me to the dealer. When I finished I started the bike up and went for a test ride around the block. I didn't get any abs warning lights. The brakes worked as normal. Went through a couple of panic stops and all worked well. The link system worked as it always has. So is it because I didn't use the brakes while it had air in the system? Was I just lucky? This was about six months and 8,000 miles ago.
Forums can take the most basic simple maintenance item and turn it into a mess of misinformation and complication based on no fact what so ever.
... and all they had to do was look at the shop manual, as others have posted here.
If it was me with what you posted, I wouldnt think or worry about it but do what you think you should, its your brakes.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 157
One other misconception that I preach in this forum ALL the time is you DO NOT have to activate the ABS system to do a proper flush, just flush the brake fluid for gods sakes. We make such a big deal out of a couple minute operation! Its even in the HD shop manual! NO BIG DEAL! *L* NO ACTIVATING THE ABS SYSTEM.
Activating the ABS system is for when air is introduced into the system.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 6,659
From: Gruene Texas
Did my brake flush last Sunday with the Mighty mite vacuum. super easy.
Get 1 12 oz bottle preston DOT 4, COVER anything that can get sprayed with an accident while pouring or pumping.
Put 5 oz in a squeeze bottle, pump up the vacume to 10 and crack the bleeder a little, it drains slowly. Do the front Left first.
Do 3 oz for the front right side and 3 oz for the back.
When you crack the bleeder, don't go full open. Just look at the speed the fluid is going in the line and adjust the bleeder
When the reservoir gets half empty, top it off
Use a squeeze bottle, you'll never be able to pour in the rear master reservoir.
Get 1 12 oz bottle preston DOT 4, COVER anything that can get sprayed with an accident while pouring or pumping.
Put 5 oz in a squeeze bottle, pump up the vacume to 10 and crack the bleeder a little, it drains slowly. Do the front Left first.
Do 3 oz for the front right side and 3 oz for the back.
When you crack the bleeder, don't go full open. Just look at the speed the fluid is going in the line and adjust the bleeder
When the reservoir gets half empty, top it off
Use a squeeze bottle, you'll never be able to pour in the rear master reservoir.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 162
Likes: 16
From: WA
That is my company (and product).
Indeed our HD2 product will allow you to perform the exact same ABS flush procedure as the dealer at home.
HIGHLY recommended if you want to ensure your ABS hydraulic control unit is properly flushed and operational (I recommend flushing your brake fluid annually due to the less than ideal reservoir seals on Harleys across the board, a moisture sensor will show the true story is moisture is often >4% (which is too much) in well under 2 years).