Front Brake Lockup

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Mar 4, 2020 | 07:29 AM

GzrGld

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Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2008

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Front Brake Lockup

So today I was riding my 2009 Springer Softtail CVO to work. Had to get on the front binders pretty hard as a quick yellow turned to red. Light turned green and off I went. Rode about 1/2 mile when all of a sudden the bike started slowing down, I gave it more throttle to no avail. Pulled in the clutch and it just stopped in the middle of the road during rush hour traffic. I put the flashers on and tried to figure out what the heck had happened. I pumped the rear brake pedal and nothing felt amiss, hit the front brake handle and it was solid as a rock. The handle was all the way out, but couldn't pull it in at all...I tried to move the bike but it wouldn't budge. A plumber pulled up next to me and asked me if I needed any help. He pulled over in a near by drive way and loaned me a small pair of channel lock pliers which I used to turn the bleeder screw. A shot of brake fluid squirted out and I could move the bike again. I thanked him and rode it the rest of the way to work without touching the front brake handle.
Has anyone else experienced this or have any idea what might be going on??
I have done the recommended fluid flush 6 or 8 months ago and haven't had any issues with it. But, I haven't rode the bike in several months as I have a bran new Hellcat Challenger that I have been playing with all winter!!
Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Guys!!

Mar 4, 2020 | 07:36 AM

Bass Player

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2018

Posts: 4,126

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From: W. MI.

Get home bleed it. How old are the pads? May need a change and a bleed?

Mar 4, 2020 | 06:05 PM

dusturbd

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 649

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From: Lakeland FL

If you have a rubber power brake hose it is probably bad very common problem with old rubber hoses

Mar 5, 2020 | 08:02 AM

fordhd2005

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 863

Likes: 166

From: Athens, AL

I experienced this exact situation a couple weeks ago. The piston in the master cylinder was gummed up. Ordered a rebuild kit and that should take care of it. This happened on my 09 SG. I haven't flushed the brake system every two years or what ever the manual says but I have when ever I changed brake pads. So apparently not often enough.

Mar 5, 2020 | 08:06 AM

Andy from Sandy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2017

Posts: 12,233

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From: England

The return path in the master cylinder might be blocked. If you look you will see two holes. They might be blocked.

Mar 5, 2020 | 08:23 AM

CoolBreeze3646

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 24,497

Likes: 30,784

From: Pennsylvania

All of the above plus:

1. You may have moisture in your system (even though you flushed it recently, the fluid you used to flush may have been contaminated), check moisture content of your brake fluid, you may need to flush it again.
2. Check your disk rotor run out to see if it is warped and heating up your brake pads/caliper.
3. May be a combination of things.

Mar 9, 2020 | 09:19 AM