Total complete brake failure! Read!!!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 6,135
From: Southern NH
Okay not really loving this. Your telling me that the glorious HD designed and is running an ABS system that can potentially fail if the frickin fluid isn’t changed every 2 years? Now I have heard about this in the past and realize that it should be changed. My problem is that I could, and my wife, die because the fluid was old. Are you shitting me? How old is old maybe at 18 mo, no wait we had some rainy days better change at 16 mo. Ha this is rediculous. Not really feeling the platinum thing either kinda like platinum plugs.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4,912
Likes: 8,987
From: SoCal
My big problem with all this is the dealer is obviously ducking and covering and bulls***ing big time. The explanation re brake fluid is total BS. How could both separate systems fail simultaneously?
Despite the 2-year brake fluid change recommendation, a total, sudden failure at 2 years and a day (or whatever) is both total BS and any chance of that totally unacceptable from the MoCo in a life and death issue.
Something as yet unknown is going on here, and the OP needs to find out all the REAL details and explanations, with help from the NTSB if necessary, and the REAL truth needs to be shared and publicized.
Despite the 2-year brake fluid change recommendation, a total, sudden failure at 2 years and a day (or whatever) is both total BS and any chance of that totally unacceptable from the MoCo in a life and death issue.
Something as yet unknown is going on here, and the OP needs to find out all the REAL details and explanations, with help from the NTSB if necessary, and the REAL truth needs to be shared and publicized.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 952
Likes: 528
From: Richmond TX
Found this on a site called FixMyHog.com:
There are countless vehicles on the road, other than Harley Davidson, that utilize ABS systems and Dot 4 brake fluid. It is unsettling to us why Harley Davidson is, seemingly, the only vehicle manufacturer failing in this area. We realize that Dot 4 attracts moisture, but what is the engineering flaw that allows moisture to breach the sealed brake system? If you think about it for a minute, the answer is in a flawed brake modulator design. Harley was using Dot 4 in their brake systems, without issue, for years before Harley ABS models were produced and released to the public. When ABS was added, a module and modulator were added.The Harley ABS modulator is the only added component to the physical, working, ABS braking system (also added electrical: ABS sensor & module, and a magnetic wheel bearing). Being that the modulator is the only added component in contact with the brake fluid, it has to be the culprit. Rather than issue a recall, Harley’s solution to this issue was to send out a mass mailing to owners. The letter stresses that owners have their brake fluid changed right away, if it has not been changed within the last two years. Then, the fluid needs to be changed every two years after. The kicker, of course, is that the brake system can only be correctly bled with the dealership’s Digital Technician (or at a shop that has the Centurion Super Pro software – or the Twin Tec software).
There's a bit more info and a couple of pix. I can't see what the date of this publication was, but it looks from the comments like this was back in 2017. Here's the site:
https://www.fixmyhog.com/post/shop-a...ator-failure/#
This at least satisfies my curiosity about how you can lose both brakes at one time, these systems are linked through the ABS system. Starting to make sense, but sure doesn't make it a less serious concern!!!! We need a fix, OEM or aftermarket, I don't care.
Harley ABS
One increasingly common issue that Harley Davidson owners have been facing is ABS module and modulator failure. Dot 4 brake fluid will absorb moisture over time. If your Harley is stored outdoors or in a humid environment, contamination of the fluid may happen even sooner. The moisture will eventually contaminate the internals of the ABS modulator. When this occurs, the front or rear brake lever becomes rock hard and actual brake function is nonexistent.There are countless vehicles on the road, other than Harley Davidson, that utilize ABS systems and Dot 4 brake fluid. It is unsettling to us why Harley Davidson is, seemingly, the only vehicle manufacturer failing in this area. We realize that Dot 4 attracts moisture, but what is the engineering flaw that allows moisture to breach the sealed brake system? If you think about it for a minute, the answer is in a flawed brake modulator design. Harley was using Dot 4 in their brake systems, without issue, for years before Harley ABS models were produced and released to the public. When ABS was added, a module and modulator were added.The Harley ABS modulator is the only added component to the physical, working, ABS braking system (also added electrical: ABS sensor & module, and a magnetic wheel bearing). Being that the modulator is the only added component in contact with the brake fluid, it has to be the culprit. Rather than issue a recall, Harley’s solution to this issue was to send out a mass mailing to owners. The letter stresses that owners have their brake fluid changed right away, if it has not been changed within the last two years. Then, the fluid needs to be changed every two years after. The kicker, of course, is that the brake system can only be correctly bled with the dealership’s Digital Technician (or at a shop that has the Centurion Super Pro software – or the Twin Tec software).
There's a bit more info and a couple of pix. I can't see what the date of this publication was, but it looks from the comments like this was back in 2017. Here's the site:
https://www.fixmyhog.com/post/shop-a...ator-failure/#
This at least satisfies my curiosity about how you can lose both brakes at one time, these systems are linked through the ABS system. Starting to make sense, but sure doesn't make it a less serious concern!!!! We need a fix, OEM or aftermarket, I don't care.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
The bottle and the price.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Im thinking the motherships usual duck and cover games on the increasingly marginal equipment & sub systems they are using to cut costs, HD has a history of this if you care to track the bullshit back to the shovel days. HDs ABS is junk has been since day one, why I bought mine specifically without it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA