2016 FXDF front brake lever issue
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 647
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From: Loudoun, VA
2016 FXDF front brake lever issue
Riding earlier today and a little light next to the speedo-needle hub came on, to the right. The light was on for a minute or two, then went off.
I was headed to the dealer to kill time anyhow and they had no idea since that's where the alarm light is typically, but I don't have an alarm. Left the dealer and the light returned and stayed on. I noticed my front brake lever was loose, then when I'd lift it vertically, the light would turn off, and later return, give it a slight lift while riding, off. This went on till I got home. I took off my Custom Dynamics brake light strobe to rule things out and simplify.
I've got the FSM, but how do I adjust that front brake lever? Watched a few YouTube vids and it doesn't have a bolt or a screw/snap ring setup like I saw in the LowBrow Customs vid, etc. What gives? Thanks.
I was headed to the dealer to kill time anyhow and they had no idea since that's where the alarm light is typically, but I don't have an alarm. Left the dealer and the light returned and stayed on. I noticed my front brake lever was loose, then when I'd lift it vertically, the light would turn off, and later return, give it a slight lift while riding, off. This went on till I got home. I took off my Custom Dynamics brake light strobe to rule things out and simplify.
I've got the FSM, but how do I adjust that front brake lever? Watched a few YouTube vids and it doesn't have a bolt or a screw/snap ring setup like I saw in the LowBrow Customs vid, etc. What gives? Thanks.
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 88
Likes: 14
From: Chesapeake, VA
This happened to me a couple months ago while on a ride. Decided to just ride it on in to the dealership since it was on my way home (bike is under warranty anyway) and they said it was a broken "plunger" or something like that. Like you, I could "lift" the lever to make the light go off. They said it was safe to ride that way, just whenever that light came on, it also meant my brake lights were on too. Anyway, it was in and out within an hour, so I can't imagine it would be a big project for you.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 647
Likes: 47
From: Loudoun, VA
Right on, I've found a few YT solutions, easiest is to loosen the master cylinder and throttle housing and see if a slight re-alignment fixes it.
Second option is to take off the master cylinder, lever, and clean/lube the plunger and also check the switch while in there. Worse case if it's faulty then the problem is identified. Figures, warranty was out like 5/7/18 hahaha, Murphy strikes again. Will report back tonight.
Second option is to take off the master cylinder, lever, and clean/lube the plunger and also check the switch while in there. Worse case if it's faulty then the problem is identified. Figures, warranty was out like 5/7/18 hahaha, Murphy strikes again. Will report back tonight.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 647
Likes: 47
From: Loudoun, VA
Caliper grease
So based off the videos I found, I disassembled the front brake lever and cleaned it, then applied some lubricant to the plunger.
Once you take the lever off there is quite a bit of sandy dried dirt inside that area as its not sealed up at all, and my bike only has 2600 miles. As the lever has improved it still sticks a bit. Is it possible I squeeze it too hard and the plunger piston in the master cylinder is damaged now, or will it improve once it's heated on my next ride and sort itself out you think?
Here's a pic of what I used as "rubber grease" mentioned in the video I saw, metal/rubber area. I figured brake grease was best considering the options.
Last edited by moose545; Jul 1, 2018 at 04:21 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 88
Likes: 14
From: Chesapeake, VA
I suppose time will tell. But my bike only had about 2,000 on it when I had the issue. In fact, I bought it in August, so really I only had it about 6 months at the time. So who knows what causes it.
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