Bleeding ABS Brakes

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Jul 31, 2018 | 01:19 PM

Fat Bey

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Joined: Aug 2013

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From: Plymouth

Bleeding ABS Brakes

Have any of you guys fitted a front brake piston / seals ( the one in the fluid reservoir , NOT in a caliper) on an ABS equipped model , and then gone on to successfully bleed the brake afterwards ?
I'm aware that the proper procedure necessitates the use of Digital Technician 2 , but I don't fancy shelling out another £100 after only having the job done last year by my local Harley dealership ,(they also replaced the fluid) , and I've read that using Digital Technician 2 is only to fully ensure 100% that no air remains.
I've heard or read that the job CAN be done without the Tech equipment but never been able to find out whether there's a technique !
Since the work involves only the highest point of the braking system , surely any air would rise into the fluid reservoir , in which I would hope to retain enough fluid to prevent air entering the system.
The piston / seals were replaced last year due to the brake light staying on after the lever was released. This totally cured the problem at the time.
Surely the problem shouldn't reoccur after such a short period of time !
My bike is a 2013 Fat Bob (ABS)
Regards 🙂

Jul 31, 2018 | 01:41 PM

ohioflhs

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Joined: Mar 2009

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From: Ohio

If I understand correctly, the problem arises when some air gets to the ABS unit. If no air gets there, I don't think it would be a problem. Now, can you do it without getting air in the system? I don't know but I think it is able to be done.

Jul 31, 2018 | 03:11 PM

NORTY FLATZ

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Joined: Jan 2015

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From: Sandy Eggo's North County

Since the ABS unit defaults to a "NO BRAKES AT ALL" situation, I'd take this opportunity to delete it. No, I'm NOT kidding. Many of us rode for decades without the ABS crutch. Some still do. If our brakes didn't work, it wasn't because some ABS unit went haywire...

Aug 2, 2018 | 09:09 AM

Fat Bey

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From: Plymouth

I definitely need to do more research ! Thanks for your reply !

Aug 2, 2018 | 09:17 AM

PDB17UltraRG

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Joined: Nov 2016

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From: Stuart, Fl

I believe from what i have been reading you need the special digital tools to do this your self and only
HD has them, So it looks like a simple job has been redesigned by HD so only they can do it. This pisses me off if i new this at the time of purchase I wouldn’t own a HD and probably will not own one in the near future.

Aug 3, 2018 | 08:35 AM

archergodwin

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Joined: Sep 2008

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From: Northwest

Had to disconnect the front lines on a friends street glide, when doing some work on the front end for her. I hooked everything back up and bled the system using a Mighty Vac to pull suction. Then took it for a test ride, using the brakes to trigger the abs several times... no issues.

If you haven't done much brake work, I wouldn't suggest it. We still rode up to the closest dealer ( 120 miles north, at the time ) and she paid another 85 for someone to jiggle the abs with the digital tech. ... meh... she mentioned she felt no difference before and after.

Aug 4, 2018 | 05:30 AM

EasyLiving

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From: Bama

I ride a FXDLS. Bought new bars and brake lines. I couldn’t swing the 8 hours of labor HD was wanting to charge me. Of course you know, this bike has ABS. After the bar install and brake bleeding, it was at least 8 hours. So, yes I did bleed my ABS brakes in my garage. And yes, I did have to put them to the test. And yes, they did function properly and probably saved me.