Total complete brake failure! Read!!!
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
I am a simple life form and took the original post at face value. But, as each day goes by with no further explanation or details of what was found or what was fixed, I'm starting to think I was played..... Still, it's got me motivated to look after my brake fluid, probably a good thing.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 1,852
From: England
No fix is necessary for a load of bullshit roussfarm, it's all been a product of the OP's imagination. But, like throwing a pebble in a pond, the ripples are still spreading outwards.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 104
From: Mississippi
The brake failure the op described is not the typical abs failure that happened with the earlier abs modules. I have to wonder if the brake failure on this bike was due to modifications on this bike. Harley gets blamed for a lot of rider induced modifications. I have seen a lot of botched handlebar jobs and tire or wheel changes that have caused braking and handling issues.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,540
Likes: 12,186
From: Indianapolis
While the OP may be trolling or full of BS I don't know, but this is what I do know from experience.
I posted about the company pickup truck almost blowing thru a toll booth in Chicago because it wouldn't stop. It didn't do it every time you used the brakes, probably 50% of the time.
Here is a list of what was done to fix it, 1 wheel sensor replaced and 1 sensor ring cleaned of rust and road grime. No fluid change, no bleeding of brakes, just a part replacement and cleaning.
Apparently in some circumstances if something in an ABS system fails it doesn't just revert to 'normal non ABS brakes'. In my case it didn't, something was partially blocking fluid flow to the three other unaffected wheels. The truck would eventually stop, but stopping distances were probably twice what they normally would be when the ABS wasn't activated.
I posted about the company pickup truck almost blowing thru a toll booth in Chicago because it wouldn't stop. It didn't do it every time you used the brakes, probably 50% of the time.
Here is a list of what was done to fix it, 1 wheel sensor replaced and 1 sensor ring cleaned of rust and road grime. No fluid change, no bleeding of brakes, just a part replacement and cleaning.
Apparently in some circumstances if something in an ABS system fails it doesn't just revert to 'normal non ABS brakes'. In my case it didn't, something was partially blocking fluid flow to the three other unaffected wheels. The truck would eventually stop, but stopping distances were probably twice what they normally would be when the ABS wasn't activated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,258
Likes: 4,947
From: England
If at switch on the electronics deduced all was well then I can see that if the sensor ring was full of crap the wheel sensor would think the wheel is not turning. It has locked up therefore the brake needs to be released.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 986
Likes: 442
From: Sivier County Tennessee
brakes
sounds like something my old dealer would say. If they park the bike outside, or store it in a damp shop, yes water could enter the brake system. Get a new dealer,they tried to rip you off.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
LIke I said I some will call not getting it every 2 years reckless. But a afety item like brake fluid, you need more robust fudge factors. If he would have died, and even though they would have said he was 2 months past when he was scheduled to have it flushed, it might look bad to some people.
Different fluids, different size orfices I dunno.
I'd also like to know about other brand bikes. Maybe this happens on their forums too. If it is limited smaller amounts of fluid, it would be the same.
People are going to disagree with me, but you can't sell a product that if the person isn't perfect with its use it becomes dangerous. Firearms may be one of the few exceptions. But even then Ruger had a recall that if you drop a gun it may go off, and all the 700 safety stuff.
The bike may have been over 2 years old, but not by a huge amount. I realize people are going to go off about personnel responsibility. But that is not the reality of the world, with lawsuits and public perception.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 5,701
Likes: 2,697
From: Vancouver B.C.
I kind of can relate to the OP’s story. I’ve had my front brakes fail also. Pulled the brake lever at it went right to the grips without any braking action. Lucky for me I was only walking my bike out of the garage and not riding. I had no prior indications of any issues in the front brakes until that day. I’m not sure what to blame it on. Wether it’s the old fluid or not I’m just happy I wasn’t out riding at the time. The bike was parked in the garage for about a month due to crappy weather but like I stated during my last ride I had no indication of an impending failure. I still haven’t looked at why yet as I’m doing a few other projects at the moment. It’s also a 2010 model year and past warranty so I’ll take care of it myself. The braking system minus the ABS unit on a motorcycle is relatively easy to diagnose and repair. If by any chance I’ve had some sort of ABS module failure I’ll just bypass the system.
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Joe Kucinski
Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 23,816
Likes: 57,355
From: Tampa, FL
If I were the OP I'd be very concerned any time I had to come to a stop if they don't have an answer as to what happened and confirm it was fixed.
How nervous would you be on the same motorcycle coming to a very busy intersection?
How nervous would you be on the same motorcycle coming to a very busy intersection?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 492
From: Heart of Georgia
I kind of can relate to the OPs story. Ive had my front brakes fail also. Pulled the brake lever at it went right to the grips without any braking action. Lucky for me I was only walking my bike out of the garage and not riding. I had no prior indications of any issues in the front brakes until that day. Im not sure what to blame it on. Wether its the old fluid or not Im just happy I wasnt out riding at the time. The bike was parked in the garage for about a month due to crappy weather but like I stated during my last ride I had no indication of an impending failure. I still havent looked at why yet as Im doing a few other projects at the moment. Its also a 2010 model year and past warranty so Ill take care of it myself. The braking system minus the ABS unit on a motorcycle is relatively easy to diagnose and repair. If by any chance Ive had some sort of ABS module failure Ill just bypass the system.