Changing Brake Fluid???
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
Likes: 3,868
From: Upstate New York
Not a Harley issue every motorcycle manufacture requires 2 year ABS flush and requires the system be cycled while doing so..
To answer OP question if you have ABS 2 years. If not test and replace as needed.
Yes you can do it your self many products on the market to cycle ABS.
To answer OP question if you have ABS 2 years. If not test and replace as needed.
Yes you can do it your self many products on the market to cycle ABS.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,000
Likes: 5,266
When the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) was conducting the investigation into the HCU failures issue that eventually resulted in the recall of 170,000+ bikes in 2018, one interesting finding of the investigation that didnt get a lot of attention was that the Dow DOT 4 brake fluid that was installed in these bikes at the factory was found to have stability issues if left in the system for a period of time beyond their recommendation; deposits could form in the HCU.
When the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) sent inquiry letters to H-D and Dow regarding the brake fluid stability issues, Dow responded with a confidential submission, which has me wondering what was Dow hiding? Though H-D placed blame for the HCU failures squarely on the shoulders of owners for failing to change the fluid at the recommended two-year interval and/or when moisture content was more than 3%, I cant help but think that Dows stability issues brake fluid was more responsible for HCU failures than we know.
It is also worth noting that there was at least one other commercially available brake fluid, if not more, during the time these bikes were manufactured that did not have the same stability issues as the original fluid and could stop the proliferation of any current brake system deposits.
Since the recall and the subsequent use of more stable brake fluids, how many of these same type of HCU failures have we heard being reported and how many ABS bikes are out on the road today that have 2+ year old brake fluid that has way more than 3% moisture content and their HCUs arent failing because of brake fluid deposits?
The point being is I think brake fluid flushes are being over-hyped because of the hysteria that was created over the 2018 recall. Just sayin.
For your reading enjoyment:
https://www.alabamainjurylawyer.net/...dson_ABS-1.pdf
When the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) sent inquiry letters to H-D and Dow regarding the brake fluid stability issues, Dow responded with a confidential submission, which has me wondering what was Dow hiding? Though H-D placed blame for the HCU failures squarely on the shoulders of owners for failing to change the fluid at the recommended two-year interval and/or when moisture content was more than 3%, I cant help but think that Dows stability issues brake fluid was more responsible for HCU failures than we know.
It is also worth noting that there was at least one other commercially available brake fluid, if not more, during the time these bikes were manufactured that did not have the same stability issues as the original fluid and could stop the proliferation of any current brake system deposits.
Since the recall and the subsequent use of more stable brake fluids, how many of these same type of HCU failures have we heard being reported and how many ABS bikes are out on the road today that have 2+ year old brake fluid that has way more than 3% moisture content and their HCUs arent failing because of brake fluid deposits?
The point being is I think brake fluid flushes are being over-hyped because of the hysteria that was created over the 2018 recall. Just sayin.
For your reading enjoyment:
https://www.alabamainjurylawyer.net/...dson_ABS-1.pdf
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,998
Likes: 11,439
the issue is simple. Brake fluid used in all ABS brake system adsorb moisture. Until it get to be to much not an issue . Working as it should.
Fluid held in ABS unit over time get nasty. gums up the ABS. at first limiting how effective it is. Then causing failure.
At some point it causes damage to the unit that can not be cured by a proper flush.
Only one way to prevent it. A flush with the ABS fully cycled. My Centurion cycles each 60 times.This washes the bad fluid out of ABS unit.
We can debate how often it needs to be done. But it seems HD and others like BMW have decided 2 years is the time line.
You can buy one of several units that cycle the ABS do some home work and do it your self. You can borrow a friends unit to do it.
You can pay HD or an Indy to do it. All that madders is that you do it.
And no taking it out drive fast and making ABS cycle does not get it done..
Fluid held in ABS unit over time get nasty. gums up the ABS. at first limiting how effective it is. Then causing failure.
At some point it causes damage to the unit that can not be cured by a proper flush.
Only one way to prevent it. A flush with the ABS fully cycled. My Centurion cycles each 60 times.This washes the bad fluid out of ABS unit.
We can debate how often it needs to be done. But it seems HD and others like BMW have decided 2 years is the time line.
You can buy one of several units that cycle the ABS do some home work and do it your self. You can borrow a friends unit to do it.
You can pay HD or an Indy to do it. All that madders is that you do it.
And no taking it out drive fast and making ABS cycle does not get it done..
Tourer
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 302
Likes: 289
From: Worcestershire UK
I'm going to out myself here and admit that I've never changed the brake fluid in any vehicle ever, full stop, period as you would say, I usually cover 25 -30k miles a year between commuting in a car and pleasure on the bike.
I've also never had any problems, probably more luck that judgement though
I've also never had any problems, probably more luck that judgement though
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,000
Likes: 5,266
the issue is simple. Brake fluid used in all ABS brake system adsorb moisture. Until it get to be to much not an issue . Working as it should.
Fluid held in ABS unit over time get nasty. gums up the ABS. at first limiting how effective it is. Then causing failure.
At some point it causes damage to the unit that can not be cured by a proper flush.
Only one way to prevent it. A flush with the ABS fully cycled. My Centurion cycles each 60 times.This washes the bad fluid out of ABS unit.
We can debate how often it needs to be done. But it seems HD and others like BMW have decided 2 years is the time line.
You can buy one of several units that cycle the ABS do some home work and do it your self. You can borrow a friends unit to do it.
You can pay HD or an Indy to do it. All that madders is that you do it.
And no taking it out drive fast and making ABS cycle does not get it done..
Fluid held in ABS unit over time get nasty. gums up the ABS. at first limiting how effective it is. Then causing failure.
At some point it causes damage to the unit that can not be cured by a proper flush.
Only one way to prevent it. A flush with the ABS fully cycled. My Centurion cycles each 60 times.This washes the bad fluid out of ABS unit.
We can debate how often it needs to be done. But it seems HD and others like BMW have decided 2 years is the time line.
You can buy one of several units that cycle the ABS do some home work and do it your self. You can borrow a friends unit to do it.
You can pay HD or an Indy to do it. All that madders is that you do it.
And no taking it out drive fast and making ABS cycle does not get it done..
I flushed the brake fluid in my 14 Limited for the first time after the recall, which would have been over 4 years. The fluid has a little darker than new fluid, but there was no gumming in the reservoir and the ABS was, and still is, working as designed.
Im not saying dont flush your brake fluid every two years, but if you dont, waiting three years or even four years, as in my case, isnt going to cause issues with the brakes or the ABS system.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 762
Likes: 264
From: Timnath, CO.
Thanks for all the response. I I can get the cycling unit for 179.00 so that is the route I will take. This is the first bike I have had with ABS. None of my other bikes had ABS and I never changed the fluid and never had an issue but I will on this one and on my wife's non ABS 2010 Tri Glide which I have never changed, been 12 years with no issues.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 201
From: Wisconsin
Thanks for all the response. I I can get the cycling unit for 179.00 so that is the route I will take. This is the first bike I have had with ABS. None of my other bikes had ABS and I never changed the fluid and never had an issue but I will on this one and on my wife's non ABS 2010 Tri Glide which I have never changed, been 12 years with no issues.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 762
Likes: 264
From: Timnath, CO.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 321
Likes: 85
From: Maine
They give you a brief description as to why you should buy there product interestingly enough they don't display any data to back it up..... I'll save $179.00 and do it the old fashioned way, IF I feel there is a need to flush the system.
Society today is always looking to make a buck. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about capitalism, but not gonna be sheep at the same time.
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