Rear brake sticking
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
When does it stick? That is, you put the new pads on. I assume the wheel rotates at that point. You step on the brake pedal a few times. Does it stick then? You go for a ride and step on the brake pedal. Does it immediately stick and not release? Or does it have to warm up first?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 31
Likes: 6
From: greece
When does it stick? That is, you put the new pads on. I assume the wheel rotates at that point. You step on the brake pedal a few times. Does it stick then? You go for a ride and step on the brake pedal. Does it immediately stick and not release? Or does it have to warm up first?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 46
Likes: 37
From: Vicenza, Italy
I would almost bet its from the piston locking up inside the caliper. It happened to me this summer on my Tour Glide after replacing the brake pads. With the old pads the piston is out farther, when you put in new pads the piston goes in (and takes in some dirt) and starts to work were there is a rough spot on the piston. I pulled the piston from the caliper, cleaned it up (and inside the caliper) hit the piston with some very fine sandpaper (VERY LIGHTLY), and put new seals in. Problem solved!
And naturally CHANGE THE FLUID !!
And naturally CHANGE THE FLUID !!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 2,134
From: W. Texas
When you pushed the piston back in to replace the pads it may have pushed some crud back into the master cylinder also.
If this happened all at once replacing the pads I'd think rebuilding the caliper and M/cyl would be a consideration. Plus flushing the lines as well.
Ya might try flushing the brake system first but with the age of the bike I'd do it all just for peace of mind.
WP
If this happened all at once replacing the pads I'd think rebuilding the caliper and M/cyl would be a consideration. Plus flushing the lines as well.
Ya might try flushing the brake system first but with the age of the bike I'd do it all just for peace of mind.
WP
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
It is sounding to me like the piston is sticking in the caliper on a rough spot, as your neighbor Joe (and others) says. Take it all apart and clean it up well, new DoT5 (Only) fluid, new seal, etc. While you're cleaning that up, a good idea to rebuild the Master Cylinder as well, as WP50 suggests. It's probably time. Rebuild kits for both caliper and MC are not that expensive and probably all it needs, plus a good cleaning.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1,047
From: Southwest Desert
All of the above. And welcome to the wonderful world of antique motorcycles.....I used to wonder why someone would "put away" an old Harley and forget about it for 20 years or so. I NO longer do that. It's aggravating and it can be expensive sometimes. 