Are all Evo rear brakes this useless??
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 3
From: Styxville
Are all Evo rear brakes this useless??
I recently bought a '95 Road King. It is my first "modern" Harley so still learning about it as I go.
The back brake barely works at all, unless I push on the pedal about as hard as I can. Even rolling into a stop light, it needs massive pedal pressure just to pull up at the line.
I have flushed and bled the system with new DOT 5 fluid, pumped the caliper piston out and cleaned up around the piston and made sure it moves in and out freely. The pedal now has a good firm feel, no sponginess.
The disc rotor looks like it is almost brand new, non-chromed, non-drilled, and shows very little sign of the usual scoring from the pads.
It has EBC pads that also look almost brand new.
So, I was wondering if they are all like this or whether there is some problem in the stock set up before I start tearing in and fitting a stainless brake hose and maybe a twin-piston caliper etc.
I got the front brakes working passably well by flushing, cleaning and fitting stainless hoses. But have a pair of GSXR-750 4-pot calipers sitting on the shelf waiting till I can make up adaptor plates.
But the rear brake is not even as good as the one on my old Shovel. Hell its not even as good as my 1942 WLA's rear brake.
Any suggestions from those who have been through this?
Also, were the original rear discs drilled? Or do you just forget about them in wet riding?
The back brake barely works at all, unless I push on the pedal about as hard as I can. Even rolling into a stop light, it needs massive pedal pressure just to pull up at the line.
I have flushed and bled the system with new DOT 5 fluid, pumped the caliper piston out and cleaned up around the piston and made sure it moves in and out freely. The pedal now has a good firm feel, no sponginess.
The disc rotor looks like it is almost brand new, non-chromed, non-drilled, and shows very little sign of the usual scoring from the pads.
It has EBC pads that also look almost brand new.
So, I was wondering if they are all like this or whether there is some problem in the stock set up before I start tearing in and fitting a stainless brake hose and maybe a twin-piston caliper etc.
I got the front brakes working passably well by flushing, cleaning and fitting stainless hoses. But have a pair of GSXR-750 4-pot calipers sitting on the shelf waiting till I can make up adaptor plates.
But the rear brake is not even as good as the one on my old Shovel. Hell its not even as good as my 1942 WLA's rear brake.
Any suggestions from those who have been through this?
Also, were the original rear discs drilled? Or do you just forget about them in wet riding?
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,435
Likes: 7,127
From: Beyond Fucital
Same here. My foot's alot stronger than My hand. Lock that sucker up easy in a panic stop.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
My 99 Softail Custom will lock them both up pretty easy. Not like some of the foreign bikes that scare me when you are on your nose the brakes are so touchy.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 794
Likes: 1
From: Alvin TX
hopper sounds like you have a weak line , like johnjzjz said , cause you said you've already made it all work & fresh & clean
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 3
From: Styxville
So if this is an OK brake when in good condition, I reckon I'll fit a stainless line and see how it goes before I look at alternative calipers.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Your words above are your clue. It seems the caliper is stuck, probably the piston is hanging up as well. Remove, use a rebuild kit, strip and clean. Take care on your next ride!