Total complete brake failure! Read!!!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,355
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From: PA
What does the FSM say for 2018 & up?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,077
Likes: 3,293
From: Plover, WI
ABS models: Use DIGITAL TECHNITION II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650) and perform "ABS Service" procedure.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Something doesnt add up here. The OP says the rear brake pedal went straight down with no effect. That would imply one of three possibilities. The master cylinder failed (developed no pressure), there was a catastrophic fluid leak somewhere, or brake fluid boiled and the vapor compressed, allowing the pedal to sink.
I dont know what is meant by the front brake being only 10% effective. Did the lever resist movement? Did the lever also sink all the way down? Or did the lever feel normal only there was no braking?
Am I missing anything?
I dont know what is meant by the front brake being only 10% effective. Did the lever resist movement? Did the lever also sink all the way down? Or did the lever feel normal only there was no braking?
Am I missing anything?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,539
Likes: 12,184
From: Indianapolis
It isn't only motorcycles that are affected, we have a 2004 Chevrolet company pickup that has ABS that I took to Chicago a couple of years ago. I began hearing a slight ratcheting sound coming home when braking. I rolled into a toll booth on 294 and was standing on the brakes, pulling on the steering wheel as hard as I could and I still rolled past the toll booth window. Thank God there wasn't a vehicle already at the booth. ABS is great until it's not...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,388
Likes: 3,357
From: usa
Again, how and why is this happening? People frequently run cars for 20 or 30 years without changing anything but tires, oil and brake pads. You never hear of them crashing because of 'water in the brake fluid'. Not saying that's good practice, I change stuff on mine regularly, but I'm probably the exception.
Also isnt the ABS brake system on bikes a single system , meaning if you put your rear brake on using your foot the front brake is also applied by the system and vice a versa ?
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 713
Likes: 235
From: Florida
I read all the post.
Just curious, with all that was stated about moisture DOT4 - which I've run for years, with no problem.
Failure of front and rear at the same time????
What do you clean the tires and wheels with and are the pads saturated with anything?? Yes, I read pedal to the floor -, so rear failure, doesn't explain how the front failed at the same time. Also I know front and rear are (can be) linked on newer models, but certainly not sure how that works or if it could contribute to the issue.
Seriously want to know if rotors were not coated with something and pads were not saturated.
Some things don't show until a panic situation or extra load and stress is applied.
Just curious, with all that was stated about moisture DOT4 - which I've run for years, with no problem.
Failure of front and rear at the same time????
What do you clean the tires and wheels with and are the pads saturated with anything?? Yes, I read pedal to the floor -, so rear failure, doesn't explain how the front failed at the same time. Also I know front and rear are (can be) linked on newer models, but certainly not sure how that works or if it could contribute to the issue.
Seriously want to know if rotors were not coated with something and pads were not saturated.
Some things don't show until a panic situation or extra load and stress is applied.
Last edited by Rustyg500; Oct 20, 2019 at 07:34 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 20,424
Likes: 24,217
From: WetCoast
Something doesnt add up here. The OP says the rear brake pedal went straight down with no effect. That would imply one of three possibilities. The master cylinder failed (developed no pressure), there was a catastrophic fluid leak somewhere, or brake fluid boiled and the vapor compressed, allowing the pedal to sink.
I dont know what is meant by the front brake being only 10% effective. Did the lever resist movement? Did the lever also sink all the way down? Or did the lever feel normal only there was no braking?
Am I missing anything?
I dont know what is meant by the front brake being only 10% effective. Did the lever resist movement? Did the lever also sink all the way down? Or did the lever feel normal only there was no braking?
Am I missing anything?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,077
Likes: 3,293
From: Plover, WI
Well coincidentally, the new procedure showed up in the service manuals shortly after the MOCO was faced with a 30+ million dollar bill for the ABS brake recall.
