oh chit
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 804
Likes: 105
From: Charlotte, NC/Greenville, SC
oh chit
Friday I noticed my rear brakes were slightly hanging and the pedal would stick. I would pull it up with my toe and it appeared to be ok till the next time. Today the first time I pressed the pedal there was no frigging rear brakes. Well I don't use much back brake but it sure is nice to have some when you need em. Trying to figure out if I just need to rebuild the master cylinder. Anyone have any ideas?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 352
Likes: 29
From: Missoula, MT
My ironhead used to do that then quit unless it was pumped 2 times. The fluid was fried. Was really old. Drained master and then bled brake til I got clean fluid out of the caliper. Worked fine after. If it's not low master could have a bad seal.
Last edited by Kburgad; Jun 5, 2016 at 04:28 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 804
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From: Charlotte, NC/Greenville, SC
Two concurring replies within two minutes of each other. I believe I better listen. I am going to replace the fluid and bleed it. I will post when I find out if that was the problem. I hope it is because my sportsters rear brakes quit to. I put new forwards that were designed for a big twin on the Sport about three years ago with new fluid. It is alot less expensive to replace fluid rather than rebuild them AND replace the fluid so I will try that first.
Last edited by motohaid; Jun 5, 2016 at 04:21 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Sunshine State
Pull the caliper. My rear brakes went out up on the road one day. Lucky I was only few miles out from the house. Pulled the caliper and voila, keeper spring for the pads was bent allowing the pads to drop. Definitely change the fluid if it's nasty, I do this every 2-3 years.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 804
Likes: 105
From: Charlotte, NC/Greenville, SC
Checked the fluid. It was full and clean. It also felt and smelled good. I was going to bleed but the damn bleeder was rounded off. I'll have to buy a new one so I can change it and bleed off the air when I can make to a parts store.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 804
Likes: 105
From: Charlotte, NC/Greenville, SC
Pull the caliper. My rear brakes went out up on the road one day. Lucky I was only few miles out from the house. Pulled the caliper and voila, keeper spring for the pads was bent allowing the pads to drop. Definitely change the fluid if it's nasty, I do this every 2-3 years.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 804
Likes: 105
From: Charlotte, NC/Greenville, SC
Took out the stripped bleeder this evening with a pair of visegrips. I put my thumb over the hole and pumped the pedal and had pressure so the master cylinder is probably ok. I had to go to parts store, bought a new bleeder and replaced it. I'll bleed it tomorrow and post back if that's all it takes.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Lorain Ohio
what year is your bike an what fluid does it take? If you bought it used someone before you may have mixed fluids, which is bad. If it's dot 5 it should be purple. If it's yellow it's old an needs to go.