Switchback spongey front brake
Switchback spongey front brake
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?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,730
Likes: 9,163
From: Georgia
Apples and oranges, but for what it's worth my 2002 RKC was the same way when I got it. It needed tires and I was new to riding, so I had the local indy do the the three fluids, tires and take a look at the brakes. He said that's just the way they are.
I just did my 20K service and bled the brakes myself, they are tight as a virgin on prom night now. I'm sure a dealer should know how to properly bleed brakes, but IMO have him do it himself and see what the results are.
I just did my 20K service and bled the brakes myself, they are tight as a virgin on prom night now. I'm sure a dealer should know how to properly bleed brakes, but IMO have him do it himself and see what the results are.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 3
From: Ca.
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?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 20
From: Shamokin, PA
Have him pull the brake lever all the way back and tape it to the throttle. Leave it over night. Should tighten up. Also he could pump the brakes a bunch of times before and after doing this.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,165
Likes: 1,910
From: Doghouse... mostly
Sometimes on a new bike system, the parts need to "seat" themselves before they start to work properly. But going down to the grip is a different issue. I'm thinking that there's a defect in the actuall brake line itself to where it's expanding somewhere and not allowing the hydraulics to build enough pressure to do what they need to do.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 20
From: Shamokin, PA
Sometimes on a new bike system, the parts need to "seat" themselves before they start to work properly. But going down to the grip is a different issue. I'm thinking that there's a defect in the actuall brake line itself to where it's expanding somewhere and not allowing the hydraulics to build enough pressure to do what they need to do.