Total complete brake failure! Read!!!

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Oct 20, 2019 | 05:53 PM

#61

oldbuck

Road Captain

Joined: Dec 2015

Posts: 650

Likes: 355

From: connecticut

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChopperBill

I’ve had brake fluid that looked like mud and it stopped the vehicle. In my life I have never been “concerned” about changing brake fluid. 160,000 miles on my 17 year old truck, same brake fluid. As long as it showed in the reservoir I was good to go. Changing fluid in an 8 month old Harley? Biggest line of bull **** I’ve ever heard.

Biggest line of bullshit to cover up biggest design flaw!

Oct 20, 2019 | 05:53 PM

#62

big- mike

Road Warrior

Joined: Feb 2017

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 221

From: farmington michigan

First I’m glad you and your wife are ok. Next there is no way in hell that the lines were sweating on the inside the only way that could happen is you would have to get air in the system and if that was the case and you had air in the system you would have noticed something wrong wAy before a complete failure. So there’s some bull **** going on. IMHO

Oct 20, 2019 | 05:56 PM

#63

Bluesrider.df

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 4,355

Likes: 1,967

From: PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Since 1968

I'm okay with ABS, but wouldn't have paid extra if it was an option. My model came with it standard. I would still be okay with it if this design problem hadn't surfaced. I'm going to dig some more but as it stands right now I am faced with flushing my brake fluid every two years, except.... I have to pay a shop to do it or spring for an aftermarket device to force the ABS module open for bleeding, at $175. Other devices are apparently available for a lot more cash. Or, I will be bypassing the module and pulling the fuse. I'll still want to flush and install new fluid every couple of years, but at least I won't have an inherent failure mode that leaves me with effectively no brakes. I'll take the chance that the insurance company won't send out a forensic scientist mechanic to check that my ABS was working. I think my widow will have enough cash to burn my sorry *** and give me a burial at sea, speaking of flushing.

You can do a normal brake fluid bleed/flush without having to use a device or pay anyone. The only time the Digital Technician tool is needed is if you get air in the line. Otherwise you can to a full fluid flush just as on any other vehicle.

Oct 20, 2019 | 06:05 PM

#64

texashillcountry

Dirt don't hurt

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 21,065

Likes: 4,561

From: Haslet Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle G.

Unfortunately the Heritage isn’t available without ABS, so I would have had to buy a bike I didn’t want.

Why couldn't you just reroute the brake lines to bypass the ABS?
I'm sure you'd have to buy new brake lines probably aftermarket but wouldn't that work?

Oct 20, 2019 | 06:11 PM

#65

robarosa

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2017

Posts: 1,372

Likes: 668

From: Texas

I don't have ABS. But, I've wondered for some time,other than have brake lines direct to the calipers as non-ABS, what needs to be done to the electronic? ECM? Just remove all that ABS stuff? Is that possible?

Oct 20, 2019 | 06:13 PM

#66

robarosa

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2017

Posts: 1,372

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From: Texas

texashillcountry;

Saw your post after I submitted mine. Some same thinking there.

Oct 20, 2019 | 06:33 PM

#67

GalvTexGuy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2015

Posts: 10,068

Likes: 5,320

This doesn't sound like an ABS issue. The OP says, "I sent the bike into the dealership. First, the rear brakes were completely and utterly gone. The Front brake had about 10%..."

So, were the brake pads "completely and utterly gone"?

Oct 20, 2019 | 06:37 PM

#68

Bluesrider.df

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 4,355

Likes: 1,967

From: PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by GalvTexGuy

I think he was referring to amount of braking force. He said front had about 10% effect.

I have ABS on my '14 FXDL. I changed the fluid when I got it, 16 mos ago. I was going to change it again at the 2 year mark, but maybe I'll do it early after reading this thread. I'll need something to do over winter anyway.

The OP's case is perplexing.