Preemptive brake seal replacement?
Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
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From: NW Ohio
Preemptive brake seal replacement?
I'm fitting a used '08 FXDF front brake system to my bike. It's been sitting exposed to shop air for several years but looks like new.
It will be getting brand new lines and splitter.
I'm considering replacing all the seals before I try to bleed it all. Just to make sure nothing sticks or leaks.
The caliper pistons and seals are gonna run me well over $100, tho, so it's giving me some pause.
Or, I could cheap out and do the JP Cycle seal-only kit...but I have mixed success with aftermarket rubber bits.
Any thoughts on this?
Wise and worthwhile or wasted time and money?
JP good to go or crap?
It will be getting brand new lines and splitter.
I'm considering replacing all the seals before I try to bleed it all. Just to make sure nothing sticks or leaks.
The caliper pistons and seals are gonna run me well over $100, tho, so it's giving me some pause.
Or, I could cheap out and do the JP Cycle seal-only kit...but I have mixed success with aftermarket rubber bits.
Any thoughts on this?
Wise and worthwhile or wasted time and money?
JP good to go or crap?
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
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From: Nor Cal
They're only front calipers...easy to get to and easy to rebuild
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
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From: Wayne County, PA
I'm in the preventative maintenance group. If it's in any doubt of the condition, why not. Last thing you want is the front caliper to fail and dump the bike. That's just me though.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
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From: Nor Cal
Don't make a big deal about it, calipers don't fail like that.
I think there's "No doubt" that they're probably in good shape.
If they operate correctly when installed, odds are they'll continue to and "if" there was failure it wouldn't be that now the seals come up "missing" (fail, disintegrate, etc) while riding and then you crash
That's just me though...not making big deal about stuff...unless there needs to be
I think there's "No doubt" that they're probably in good shape.
If they operate correctly when installed, odds are they'll continue to and "if" there was failure it wouldn't be that now the seals come up "missing" (fail, disintegrate, etc) while riding and then you crash
That's just me though...not making big deal about stuff...unless there needs to be
Last edited by multihdrdr; May 15, 2017 at 09:04 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Texas
I do not know if the 2007 to 2008 pistons are different sizes, but Harley has the gasket kits without the pistons for the 2007 and earlier for around $30. I can see that there was a caliper design change but the gaskets and piston setup looks the same. I do not know if there is a size difference with the pistons as well. Save ya $70 if they are the same and I wouldn't be surprised.
Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
My thinking is that I'd rather only do it once...but the ~$130 pricetag (or questionable (?) JP seals) to rebuild everything makes me second guess the worth.
Would suck to spend two days cussing at the bleeding only to find bad seals and have to do it all over. At the same time I'd rather not tear down a known-good system for no reason.
My internal waffling back and forth is what prompted the request for opinions.
(This is far-and-away the newest braking system I've ever worked on, btw. I'm used to seized up rusty **** with flat lip seals
)
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
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From: Nor Cal
Sure, whatever you decide, but how many do you think?...
08 dynas "out there" with original calipers working just fine
VS.
08 dynas that have had their calipers rebuilt
VS.
08 dynas that have had their calipers rebuilt AND needed it
08 dynas "out there" with original calipers working just fine
VS.
08 dynas that have had their calipers rebuilt
VS.
08 dynas that have had their calipers rebuilt AND needed it
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 755
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From: Murrieta Ca.
Spend the $100.00 on Stahlbus bleeders and their bleeder bottle, you will be done in 30 minutes for the whole bike, that's all it took me to bleed this monster, that tee holds a ton of air.
Last edited by Nemosengineer; May 15, 2017 at 10:40 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Colorado
Originally Posted by Nemosengineer
Spend the $100.00 on Stahlbus bleeders and their bleeder bottle, you will be done in 30 minutes for the whole bike, that's all it took me to bleed this monster, that tee holds a ton of air.
