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I'm installing a set of 16" apes on a 2008 CVO Road King with ABS. The front master cylinder brake line runs to the HCU and from the HCU to the front calipers. Can I run the extended brake line, hook everything up and use a Mity-Vac to pull the fluid from the master cylinder to the calipers? Will any air pass on through ok or is a trip to the dealer in order requiring the use of the Digital Technician? In other words am I setting myself up for a problem or overthinking the process?
I'm installing a set of 16" apes on a 2008 CVO Road King with ABS. The front master cylinder brake line runs to the HCU and from the HCU to the front calipers. Can I run the extended brake line, hook everything up and use a Mity-Vac to pull the fluid from the master cylinder to the calipers? Will any air pass on through ok or is a trip to the dealer in order requiring the use of the Digital Technician? In other words am I setting myself up for a problem or overthinking the process?
Have you had the recall done on your bike? If not, you can get a free brake fluid replacement/flush.
I did the same height bars on my CVO no real issues with the brake bleeding. Just hooked up the new lines and bled the system manually. There is a recall out on the brake system for your bike. If you have not had the recall done yet just take the bike in and the recall calls for a complete brake flush front and rear.
You should be able to bleed the front brakes as normal. I'd fill the master cylinder, and let the bubbles rise for a while before I started the bleeding process.
As long as you don't introduce ANY air into the ABS module, you can do it at home. I've serviced ABS brakes (replaced fluid) by pulling fluid down from the calipers, and ensuring the reservoir never got low enough to introduce ANY air. Once any air is introduced and makes it to the ABS module, the only way to remove it is with the Digital Technician at the dealer.
With that in mind, if you're replacing the upper lines with extended ones, the only way I see to keep air from getting to the ABS unit would be to push up from the caliper to the reservoir after replacing the lines.
Stel 67, we have the same bike! Thanks for the photos, I see how mine will look with the new bars.
Thanks to all for the good tips. I'm going to push the fluid back from the calipers to the m/cylinder. Haven't had the recall done as I change the fluid every 2 years, it was just done a year ago. I'll save the recall card in case the bleeding doesn't quite go as planned.
Last edited by 1Fordman; Jan 9, 2019 at 10:40 AM.
Reason: Added info
I did it that way as well. Keep in mind that, if you use a syringe to push it backwards, make dame sure there isn't any air in the line when you push it in! It is not as easy as it sounds too!!
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Ape hanger installation/brake bleeding question
