When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Figured it wouldn’t hurt to have experienced eyes look at my pads and give me a second opinion, because the wheel is off and I don’t plan on doing this too often. Attatched is a picture of my brake pads, and I think they are in great shape, I don’t have any problems with my rear brakes, BUT I did have a question about squeaking. When I ride, usually with a passenger and the weight on the back fender, and I brake the rear, I will hear a loud, embarrassing squeak each time the wheel revolves past a certain point. The intensity changes with every time I brake, and sometimes it doesn’t even happen. Watching a few videos on YouTube has lead me to believe that I need to grease that piece of rubber that holds the rotor to the frame. What do you think?
Should be able to find it just about anywhere. Took care of the problem for me. Basically the sound comes from vibration between the pad and the caliper.
So I was putting the rear wheel on just to make sure the belt lines up properly with the new pulley. I could not get the wheel back into position without taking apart the caliper assembly, so I decided what the heck may as well learn about brakes and lube everything up. I took the caliper out, and I was looking on youtube which told me I was looking at the piston and seal assembly. Well, based on the photo below, I think my seal was pretty bad and needed to be replaced. I pumped the rear brake a couple times to see how it worked, then I noticed there was brake fluid leaking out of the master cylinder. Sh*t! What did I just do, and how do I fix it? I'm hoping that I don't have to play too much with the brakes, I have never dealt with them before. Hopefully I didn't screw myself too bad.
It doesn't sound like you have much experience working on a motorcycle, I would suggest you seek a mechanics assistance. I believe what you are calling the seal is just a dust seal to keep brake dust out of the piston. You should never operate a brake lever or pedal when the calliper is not on the disk with brake pads. You probably pushed the piston too far out of the calliper causing the leak. The o rings and seals may have been damaged. It is also possible air has been introduced into the system which will also affect the brakes, this will require bleeding the brake to get all the air out.
As I already stated, never operate the brake lever or pedal of any brake system unless it is properly mounted with pads or shoes.
If you don't even own a service manual, I think you should load that bad boy up on a trailer and take it to someone qualified to do what you are attempting. Brakes are pretty important bud.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Brake check!
