firm brake lever

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Oct 24, 2020 | 09:54 PM

ratherdriveatitleist

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Oct 2020

Posts: 10

Likes: 1

From: San Jose

firm brake lever

Hey guys, i just picked up a 04 FXDLI. my first harley. When i first picked it up the brake pads were so low and the front motor mount was bad so there was a whole lot of vibration and it was difficult to brake. I just got it back from a shop where they changed out both front and rear brakes, but the lever is super firm and the bike barely slows down when im squeezing hard. Does this need a brake fluid exchange?

Oct 25, 2020 | 06:15 AM

Dan89FLSTC

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 21,176

Likes: 12,748

From: South Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratherdriveatitleist

Does this need a brake fluid exchange?

It needs to be taken back to the shop, there is something wrong.

Oct 25, 2020 | 07:13 AM

bustert

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 5,071

Likes: 1,006

once again, follow mr. dan's advise especially so since you paid for the service.
two areas that can cause this is
1. fluid is restricted in returning to the master
2. issue with the caliper such as pucks not correctly moving
the system can be hydraulically locked

Oct 25, 2020 | 11:59 AM

nevil

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 9,282

Likes: 1,139

From: southeast PA

I'm puzzled why you didn't have the brake fluid changed when the work was done. Odds are the bike was due for it anyway.

Oct 25, 2020 | 01:10 PM

Bandit.

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2020

Posts: 2,691

Likes: 9,850

From: Detroit

Sounds like a frozen caliper to me. They should have been able to notice that at the shop. If it were me I would take it back, make them fix it. Then find a new shop.