I am working on a road king and having and issue with the front brakes. They stop good, but the lever pulls pretty far back before it engages the brakes. There are no fluid leaks - I replaced the fluid and bled the system thoroughly. Is this a master cylinder issue?

Again. The brakes work fine, but the lever travel is worrisome. The bike is a 2001 ( I know, a Twinkie- this by far the best section on the forum and the system looks the same as my evo)

 

Can you pump it a few times and get a decent feel ?

WP

 

It pumps up firm, but close tot the grip

 

A 21 year old bike deserves a master cylinder kit.
Caliper rebuild kit too...

 

There is a bubble that hides in the MC. "Strumming" the lever (one finger,quick snap,and snap it again as soon as it comes back - maybe at a rate of 3 per second,) and you can often get a tiny bubble to pop out of the port in the MC reservoir. Handle bar at full left lock, putting MC higher than when level.

(It's tough to explain that one )

 

I'll probably start with rebuilding the master cylinder. Does anyone know if they are available from the Motor Company? One from Dennis Kirk or JP Cycles ok?.

 

I've used used kits from JP Cycles, Dennis Kirk, and the Motor Company. Only had one issue with an aftermarket kit that was "bad" and that could have been installer error.

Ride safe!

 

Probably a good place to start
Best you can tell are the calipers and m/cyl oem ?
Oh and levers oem ?

WP

 

Take a good look at the brake lines.. if poly lines, they could be expanding.. I had that issue on my rear brakes but didn't really think of it till the line actually blew out.. I replaced the entire 2 piece line and now have such a high and firm pedal like never before.. I've owned the bike for almost 20 years..

 

Everything is stock but the lines, the lines are coated stainless steel.

Thanks for all the input