Front brake locked up
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Stage I
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Townsend, MT
Front brake locked up
Took my beautiful wide glide out for first run of the year as riding season is short here in Montana. My front brake started dragging slightly so I turned around and headed for home...using only the rear brake. Well it, the front brake, locked up solid with no warning with a resultant crash. Three months later, a destroyed knee, surgery, lots of suffering and pain, and still wondering what happened.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Glad you still here among us.. I'd be wondering about what happened tooo..
Din't anyone check out the bike.?? like maybe the Calipers came loose causing it>>..
Can't remember anyone's brakes just locking up...
Din't anyone check out the bike.?? like maybe the Calipers came loose causing it>>..
Can't remember anyone's brakes just locking up...
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 1
From: Silverdale, WA
Usually it means that the return port on the master was plugged or covered when the piston didn't return all the way, heat expands the fluid in the caliper and the brake applies itself. Can easily lock a wheel.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,351
Likes: 648
From: Vegas, baby!
As the brake drags, more heat is built up, expanding the fluid. This causes more heat, more expansion, etc.. Eventually the wheel locks up.
Last edited by rjg883c; Aug 16, 2014 at 08:18 PM.
I stopped for a crotch rocket on the side one day. Turns out that his front brake just locked up and remained that way. I was working on it, banging the cylinder with a wrench and rag padding while having him pull lightly backward on the bike, which released the brake.
Unfortunately, he was black, I'm white and on the ground, and two car cops see this black guy apparently running his bike over a white biker whose bike was parked way over on the median.
It took a mean minnit to get this all settled with the cops, and I instructed the guy in front of them to take a slow ride home and NOT to touch the front brake until a mechanic had rebuilt/repaired it.
Had the cops a laugh that day. Nice to know they had my back tho...
Unfortunately, he was black, I'm white and on the ground, and two car cops see this black guy apparently running his bike over a white biker whose bike was parked way over on the median.
It took a mean minnit to get this all settled with the cops, and I instructed the guy in front of them to take a slow ride home and NOT to touch the front brake until a mechanic had rebuilt/repaired it.
Had the cops a laugh that day. Nice to know they had my back tho...
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,435
Likes: 7,127
From: Beyond Fucital
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,122
Likes: 51,433
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I stopped for a crotch rocket on the side one day. Turns out that his front brake just locked up and remained that way. I was working on it, banging the cylinder with a wrench and rag padding while having him pull lightly backward on the bike, which released the brake.
Unfortunately, he was black, I'm white and on the ground, and two car cops see this black guy apparently running his bike over a white biker whose bike was parked way over on the median.
It took a mean minnit to get this all settled with the cops, and I instructed the guy in front of them to take a slow ride home and NOT to touch the front brake until a mechanic had rebuilt/repaired it.
Had the cops a laugh that day. Nice to know they had my back tho...
Unfortunately, he was black, I'm white and on the ground, and two car cops see this black guy apparently running his bike over a white biker whose bike was parked way over on the median.
It took a mean minnit to get this all settled with the cops, and I instructed the guy in front of them to take a slow ride home and NOT to touch the front brake until a mechanic had rebuilt/repaired it.
Had the cops a laugh that day. Nice to know they had my back tho...
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Aug 16, 2014 at 09:43 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Post Falls, ID
When was the last time you flushed the brake fluid?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: west Michigan
Clean brake fluid doesn't expand when it gets hot, but brake fluid that is contaminated with air and/or water will. If a brake starts dragging, just crack the bleeder valve for a couple of seconds to relieve the pressure, and pry back the brake pad with a screwdriver if necessary. Head straight home without using the defective brake, if possible. Avoid this scenario by changing the brake fluid every two years.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,809
Likes: 38,645
From: Post Falls, ID
Clean brake fluid doesn't expand when it gets hot, but brake fluid that is contaminated with air and/or water will. If a brake starts dragging, just crack the bleeder valve for a couple of seconds to relieve the pressure, and pry back the brake pad with a screwdriver if necessary. Head straight home without using the defective brake, if possible. Avoid this scenario by changing the brake fluid every two years.
OP, heal quick.