Rear brake issues, help!!!
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 461
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From: Glendale, AZ
Rear brake issues, help!!!
Hey guys, been a while since I've been on the dyna forum (I got a RG and now on the touring forum) anyway my GF has an '09 FXD and the back brakes aren't working and the brake lights don't come on when you hit the rear brake. She doesn't like anyone working on her bike, me included, she does most things herself so I haven't attempted to try anything but I've checked the fluid and it's full and the pads look good. The brake lights do come on when she grabs the front brake so the bulbs are ok. I thought maybe she wore thru some wires up under the fender, that would only account for the lights not working not the brakes though. Any thoughts? We got this bike used last June with 9Kmi on it, she now has 24Kmi. She rarely uses the rear brake, someone else took it for a spin and came back and told her the rear brakes aren't working. I'm at home today and she took my car to work, so if you can think of anything for me to look at today let me know!!!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Jensen Beach Florida
Only a couple things it could be that I can think of. Most likely bad rear master cylinder but check the linkage from the rear brake pedal to the master cylinder first. If the linkage is broken or disconnected it would also cause this.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
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From: Massachusetts
As Craig11Dyna said, the first thing to check is the brake linkage. If that looks ok and is functioning as it should then perhaps the brake pistons need cleaning. Sometimes they can get dirty/gummed up and stick not allowing the pads to be pushed into contact with the rotor. Try spraying some brake cleaner on them and working them to see if the pistons are compressing the pads against the rotor. The other thing may be the brake fluid. Harley recommends replacing it every other year (every two years) as it is hydroscopic, meaning it is susceptible to water absorption. This can also cause the brakes to not function properly. I know when I flushed and bled my brakes with new fluid it was like having a new set of brakes. Give it a shot, it can't hurt.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Glendale, AZ
Ok, checked the linkage and it's ok, but if I push the brake pedal all the way down the brake does catch. She is so short she could never push the pedal down far enough, I'll have to adjust it upwards as much as I can so she can activate it. However the brake light does only work with the front brake and not with the rear I didn't see any wear on the wires so the switch may be bad, or dirty. Thanks guys.
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Ft. Worth, TX
Hey guys, been a while since I've been on the dyna forum (I got a RG and now on the touring forum) anyway my GF has an '09 FXD and the back brakes aren't working and the brake lights don't come on when you hit the rear brake. She doesn't like anyone working on her bike, me included, she does most things herself so I haven't attempted to try anything but I've checked the fluid and it's full and the pads look good. The brake lights do come on when she grabs the front brake so the bulbs are ok. I thought maybe she wore thru some wires up under the fender, that would only account for the lights not working not the brakes though. Any thoughts? We got this bike used last June with 9Kmi on it, she now has 24Kmi. She rarely uses the rear brake, someone else took it for a spin and came back and told her the rear brakes aren't working. I'm at home today and she took my car to work, so if you can think of anything for me to look at today let me know!!!
The first issue is the brake light not working. If you follow the brake line you will come to a little switch that has wires sticking out of it. Pull the wires off and jumper them together momentarily. You should see the brake light come on. If this works, replace the switch.
The second issue is the "brakes not working" according to someone else. I would look at the pads to make sure they are still within service limits then bleed them especially if you have replaced the switch in the first problem. The pedal should be nice and firm. Use a piece of clear hose on the bleeder valve so you can watch for air bubbles as you drain it.
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kingironhead
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
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Jul 15, 2014 03:01 PM
