Harley fishtails when breaking
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,067
Likes: 1,121
From:
After checking the spokes, review the rear rotor.
A warped rear rotor could cause unusual braking.
A warped rotor sometimes does not give any response to light braking causing the operator to increase pressure. Basically the operator is left with an all or none situation.
A rotor can become warped by failing to remove a rotor lock or banging the rotor against a wall or floor when a wheel is dropped for service.
A warped rear rotor could cause unusual braking.
A warped rotor sometimes does not give any response to light braking causing the operator to increase pressure. Basically the operator is left with an all or none situation.
A rotor can become warped by failing to remove a rotor lock or banging the rotor against a wall or floor when a wheel is dropped for service.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,277
Likes: 7,756
From: West Central FL
Check your swing arm bearings, pivot bolt and wheel bearings. Also checkfront wheel bearings and the tightness on your neck bearings. I've seen some nasty neck bearings and races when people neither grease or adjust the them for years. Wheel bearings should be checked, greased or replaced if necessary when new tires are mounted.
Don't forget to report back.
Don't forget to report back.
Last edited by Hey Man; Feb 15, 2016 at 08:38 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 705
Likes: 8
From: southern IL
OP, start simple, start cheap. Pay attention to your riding style, but from what I understand you have a good bit under your belt. So, mechanical failure is what you're probably looking for. You should be able to ascertain if your brakes are working correctly; spokes, bearings, rotor alignment, etc. is what you're left with.
Please post your results as we all like to see if something we mentioned helped. Best of luck to you.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
REALLY???? 96K posts and all you have to offer is flush the brake lines to a rear wheel wobble issue????
OP, start simple, start cheap. Pay attention to your riding style, but from what I understand you have a good bit under your belt. So, mechanical failure is what you're probably looking for. You should be able to ascertain if your brakes are working correctly; spokes, bearings, rotor alignment, etc. is what you're left with.
Please post your results as we all like to see if something we mentioned helped. Best of luck to you.
OP, start simple, start cheap. Pay attention to your riding style, but from what I understand you have a good bit under your belt. So, mechanical failure is what you're probably looking for. You should be able to ascertain if your brakes are working correctly; spokes, bearings, rotor alignment, etc. is what you're left with.
Please post your results as we all like to see if something we mentioned helped. Best of luck to you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
I never rode a Heritage, but when I went to my Ultra, from a Vulcan 750, I would lock up my rear brakes on panic stops. The first few times I kept them locked and had a full *** rear wheel slide to about 70°. Not fun, but definite adrenaline rush.
You have to apply the rear brake slowly. If they start locking, but you aren't sliding, let up just enough to unlock. If you go into a slide, keep them locked, and steer out of skid. Don't release brakes in middle of skid, or you will Highside.
Those bad stops inspired me to take the Advanced Riders course. They talk about not releasing brakes after locking, but didn't teach about releasing if not skidding. It was still a worthwhile course.
Harris Neil covers this in his Motor Lessons. I don't know if he still does this but he used to send than to you for free, if you email him.
Harris Neil
Denver, Colorado
MotorLessons@Hotmail.com
You have to apply the rear brake slowly. If they start locking, but you aren't sliding, let up just enough to unlock. If you go into a slide, keep them locked, and steer out of skid. Don't release brakes in middle of skid, or you will Highside.
Those bad stops inspired me to take the Advanced Riders course. They talk about not releasing brakes after locking, but didn't teach about releasing if not skidding. It was still a worthwhile course.
Harris Neil covers this in his Motor Lessons. I don't know if he still does this but he used to send than to you for free, if you email him.
Harris Neil
Denver, Colorado
MotorLessons@Hotmail.com
Last edited by Ron750; Feb 19, 2016 at 03:26 AM.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: oldster, fl
Hey guys.. Problem solved.. I changed out the break fluid.. Was dark brown and changed out the tires..to Michelin Commander 11 . WOW a far better ride and no fishtailing! Thank you for all your help!!!
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