Stupidest Brake System
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
Stupidest Brake System
Just doing my 1k service and took a look at my brake system. Always had light drag on the front when wheeling out of the shed so went to look for reason. On a normal design either the caliper floats or the disc floats. In Harleys FXSTC neither float. In the caliper the inner pad rides up against the rotor and the two pistons force the the other pad in for clamping pressure. As time an wear take it's tole on the inner pad there will eventually be a space. In order for the clamping pressure needed for braking, the rotor will actually have to flex to close up the gap. This is probably the reason for all those screwy cutouts in the disc which would make it flexible. WTF Did somebody have a bad designing day when they thought that one up?
Ron
Ron
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,231
Likes: 106
RE: Stupidest Brake System
ORIGINAL: rbabos
Just doing my 1k service and took a look at my brake system. Always had light drag on the front when wheeling out of the shed so went to look for reason. On a normal design either the caliper floats or the disc floats. In Harleys FXSTC neither float. In the caliper the inner pad rides up against the rotor and the two pistons force the the other pad in for clamping pressure. As time an wear take it's tole on the inner pad there will eventually be a space. In order for the clamping pressure needed for braking, the rotor will actually have to flex to close up the gap. This is probably the reason for all those screwy cutouts in the disc which would make it flexible. WTF Did somebody have a bad designing day when they thought that one up?
Ron
Just doing my 1k service and took a look at my brake system. Always had light drag on the front when wheeling out of the shed so went to look for reason. On a normal design either the caliper floats or the disc floats. In Harleys FXSTC neither float. In the caliper the inner pad rides up against the rotor and the two pistons force the the other pad in for clamping pressure. As time an wear take it's tole on the inner pad there will eventually be a space. In order for the clamping pressure needed for braking, the rotor will actually have to flex to close up the gap. This is probably the reason for all those screwy cutouts in the disc which would make it flexible. WTF Did somebody have a bad designing day when they thought that one up?
Ron
If you have a pad dragging you need to check the pistons. they could be stuck.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 59
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RE: Stupidest Brake System
Unreal isn't it. I've got an 07 heritage and the more I read different threads where someone has a problem the more I relate to it and find I have the same problem with mine and these aswell:
Passing lights shorting out and fogging
Speedo fogging
Fuel gauge fogging
Rubbing sound after some use
Battery arc fault on 07âs warranty
Brakes scraping, bad vibrations, wobble in front end, gear noises,primary chain loose,front brake resevoir leak, seat mount, loose left grip, triple tree alignment, rust corrosion of poor quality metal bolts, stalling clunking rattling shaking squeeking, cracking leaking etc. etc. Yeah man/bro! its a Harley alright WTF Did somebody have a bad designing day...dependswhether bad design means more money for them really. They must have learnt something from the Chinese.
Passing lights shorting out and fogging
Speedo fogging
Fuel gauge fogging
Rubbing sound after some use
Battery arc fault on 07âs warranty
Brakes scraping, bad vibrations, wobble in front end, gear noises,primary chain loose,front brake resevoir leak, seat mount, loose left grip, triple tree alignment, rust corrosion of poor quality metal bolts, stalling clunking rattling shaking squeeking, cracking leaking etc. etc. Yeah man/bro! its a Harley alright WTF Did somebody have a bad designing day...dependswhether bad design means more money for them really. They must have learnt something from the Chinese.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
RE: Stupidest Brake System
I have 20k on mine in 17 months.
My turn signal lenses are a bad design. I have replaced 4 in 17 months... the tabs break off for no apparent reason.
The front rotor warped when I had to slam on the brakes. I upgraded to a floating rotor when my dealer replaced the rotor free of charge.
I installed a primary chain tensioner because I don't want to check the sucker ever 5k miles.
I installed a PCIII and learned the expensive way that some more research should be done before jumping in. After spending the money on a dyno I'm happy, but it wasn't any cheaper than other, better, more tunable options because I didn't want to settle for the results of a stock map.
My *** still hurts no matter what seats I try (or mods to them) when I want to ride long distance.
I have been riding for 43 years. This is by far, all things considered, the best bike I have ever owned (not to say that other brands of new ones wouldn't be just as good). I can sell my bike for at least 20% better recapture of my investment than if I owned a Honda. I have made friends at my local HOG chapter that I wouldn't want to have never met. I have gone to organized events that just make me want to tour more.
I think it's all a matter of perspective and the quality of your dealer and your research to make sure that you get what you really want. If I hadn't overridden substance with style, I would have bought a road king custom and my *** wouldn't hurt nearly as much, or maybe not at all.
Harley needs to do ergonomic studies on their riding positions and seat construction. They need to rethink what they are selling as a base out of factory product and invest a few dollars more and charge a few dollars more. They need to get rid of some bad attitude dealers. I don't think there's any other motor product that can make any better claims... they all have similar problems, if that's what you want to focus on.
C#
My turn signal lenses are a bad design. I have replaced 4 in 17 months... the tabs break off for no apparent reason.
The front rotor warped when I had to slam on the brakes. I upgraded to a floating rotor when my dealer replaced the rotor free of charge.
I installed a primary chain tensioner because I don't want to check the sucker ever 5k miles.
I installed a PCIII and learned the expensive way that some more research should be done before jumping in. After spending the money on a dyno I'm happy, but it wasn't any cheaper than other, better, more tunable options because I didn't want to settle for the results of a stock map.
My *** still hurts no matter what seats I try (or mods to them) when I want to ride long distance.
I have been riding for 43 years. This is by far, all things considered, the best bike I have ever owned (not to say that other brands of new ones wouldn't be just as good). I can sell my bike for at least 20% better recapture of my investment than if I owned a Honda. I have made friends at my local HOG chapter that I wouldn't want to have never met. I have gone to organized events that just make me want to tour more.
I think it's all a matter of perspective and the quality of your dealer and your research to make sure that you get what you really want. If I hadn't overridden substance with style, I would have bought a road king custom and my *** wouldn't hurt nearly as much, or maybe not at all.
Harley needs to do ergonomic studies on their riding positions and seat construction. They need to rethink what they are selling as a base out of factory product and invest a few dollars more and charge a few dollars more. They need to get rid of some bad attitude dealers. I don't think there's any other motor product that can make any better claims... they all have similar problems, if that's what you want to focus on.
C#
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 92
From:
RE: Stupidest Brake System
I've owned several Japanese bikes. In many respects their designs are better, however materials are usually cheaper. The Japanese companies make mistakes too, however, since Japaneseriders with the same bikes are less likely to meet up (in real life or online), any problems they experience are less likely to become widely know.
In the big and activeHarley community, all the dirty laundry gets aired and everyone finds out about it. Doesn't mean Harleys have more problems, just that you are more likely to hear about them.
In the big and activeHarley community, all the dirty laundry gets aired and everyone finds out about it. Doesn't mean Harleys have more problems, just that you are more likely to hear about them.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 546
Likes: 2
From: Rio Grande Valley, TX
RE: Stupidest Brake System
ORIGINAL: deadeye
I've owned several Japanese bikes. In many respects their designs are better, however materials are usually cheaper. The Japanese companies make mistakes too, however, since Japaneseriders with the same bikes are less likely to meet up (in real life or online), any problems they experience are less likely to become widely know.
In the big and activeHarley community, all the dirty laundry gets aired and everyone finds out about it. Doesn't mean Harleys have more problems, just that you are more likely to hear about them.
I've owned several Japanese bikes. In many respects their designs are better, however materials are usually cheaper. The Japanese companies make mistakes too, however, since Japaneseriders with the same bikes are less likely to meet up (in real life or online), any problems they experience are less likely to become widely know.
In the big and activeHarley community, all the dirty laundry gets aired and everyone finds out about it. Doesn't mean Harleys have more problems, just that you are more likely to hear about them.
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
RE: Stupidest Brake System
KWD FLSTC:Looked in the service manual and youare correct in the 4 piston. It appears to be offset slightly one way in alignment and the two pistons are compressed to the point the pad is almost bottomed out so retraction is almost none existant. That's why I can only see the two pistons on the other side. Drag is very minor and reducing with miles. No damage to disc is happening so I'll call it a design tollerance issue and leave it at that. Wheel spacers need to be dead nuts for perfect centering of the disc and caliper. That's two much to ask in mass production.
Ron
Ron
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 92
From:
RE: Stupidest Brake System
ORIGINAL: Figstr
I have to respectfully disagree with you on this. I've been riding metrics for 30 years and just now got my first Harley a few weeks ago. Metric riders are close as well. Just check out the Yamaha Warrior forum, which I am a member of since my last bike was a Warrior. The community is very close and I have met/ridden with the memebers in my area. The forum sets up numerous group rides around the country, meet and greets and other events. When a problem with metrics comes up, those that own the bikes surely speak up.
ORIGINAL: deadeye
I've owned several Japanese bikes. In many respects their designs are better, however materials are usually cheaper. The Japanese companies make mistakes too, however, since Japaneseriders with the same bikes are less likely to meet up (in real life or online), any problems they experience are less likely to become widely know.
In the big and activeHarley community, all the dirty laundry gets aired and everyone finds out about it. Doesn't mean Harleys have more problems, just that you are more likely to hear about them.
I've owned several Japanese bikes. In many respects their designs are better, however materials are usually cheaper. The Japanese companies make mistakes too, however, since Japaneseriders with the same bikes are less likely to meet up (in real life or online), any problems they experience are less likely to become widely know.
In the big and activeHarley community, all the dirty laundry gets aired and everyone finds out about it. Doesn't mean Harleys have more problems, just that you are more likely to hear about them.
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