Switchback spongey front brake
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,106
Likes: 51,387
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Stage I
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Switchback Brakes
I just bought my Switchback less than a month ago. I have had the brakes bled 2x and Master Cylinder rebuilt, waiting to hear back from HD if there is an issue with these, but it sounds like there is. I don't like pulling the brake and it goes to the throttle. May be using Lemon Law if can't get this fixed soon, getting Heritage instead.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
Had that problem after putting new cables on my bike. Tried various bleeding methods and the lever was still spongy with too much travel.
Finally tried zip tying the lever brake lever back with the master cylinder at highest point overnight x2. Lever was as hard as a rock after that.
Finally tried zip tying the lever brake lever back with the master cylinder at highest point overnight x2. Lever was as hard as a rock after that.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: burlington wi
My buddy just got a Switchback and is complaining about the front brake. You can pull the lever all the way back to the grip without much pressure. He's taken it back to the dealer twice. First time they bled the system and said there were a few small air bubbles. Last time they said they could do nothing and that's just the way it is. He's coming off of an XR1200 with 2-finger braking but pulling to the grip doesn't seem right. Anyone else experience the same or have any suggestions?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 21
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
I found the same thing...front brake is very spongy. I can pull the lever in all the way to the throttle, but the front brake does work. My Lowrider wasn't like that and I'm going to bleed the front brake and see if that pull tightens up. You should not be able to pull the lever in like that...not normal. I'm hoping bleeding it will fix the problem.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Richland, WA
Stupid dealers - find another one. Sometimes it takes a while to get the brakes completely bled out; failing that it's a bad master cylinder. Shame on HD for letting bikes out like that. But the last portal of new bike safety is the dealer; it's in their bike setup fee. The good dealers would have caught this and fixed it before the customer would ever know. Then dealer notifies HD that something is wrong with their quality control.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 35
From: Gulf Breeze, FL
Just do it...it's air in the system.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Stage II
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I have the same issue
My buddy just got a Switchback and is complaining about the front brake. You can pull the lever all the way back to the grip without much pressure. He's taken it back to the dealer twice. First time they bled the system and said there were a few small air bubbles. Last time they said they could do nothing and that's just the way it is. He's coming off of an XR1200 with 2-finger braking but pulling to the grip doesn't seem right. Anyone else experience the same or have any suggestions?
I was just at my dealership and felt the 2 switchbacks they had. Both were awful. One lever came back almost to the grip and the other one actually touched the grip. I would question if these brakes could ever really work. I am also suspect of why dealers would put the bikes on the floor like that. I mean they charge you that absurd prep fee.