Switchback spongey front brake
#21
04-23-2012, 08:44 PM
Club Member
Now that's interesting and the dealers are ducking it ..............................
#23
05-01-2012, 09:10 PM
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.
#24
05-01-2012, 09:25 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
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.
#25
07-28-2012, 10:25 PM
1st Gear
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: burlington wi
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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?
#26
08-03-2012, 11:03 AM
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.
#27
08-03-2012, 11:30 AM
Cruiser
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.
#29
09-18-2012, 02:26 PM
Stage II
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Colorado
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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?
#30
09-19-2012, 10:54 AM
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.