Brakes
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Bartlett, Illinois
Brakes
Sorry if this issue has been done before, I bought some Russell sped bleeders for my 2001 FLSTCI. Got new DOT 5 silicone brake fluid from the dealership. Needed to change the brake pads on the rear so I figured I would bleed the fronts first. Good thing, the brake fluid was a yellow/ brown color. Bled the front until I had no air and the lite purple colol of the new fluid through the whole system. Now I'm starting to feel a bit addled. I have no resistance in the lever. It's totally squishy. I'm not sure were I went wrong, but I've done brakes on this bike before and not encountered this problem. WTF! Any suggestions that will help would be much appreciated. I'm starting to think I should have left the old bleeders in.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Bartlett, Illinois
Madduc, did as you suggested, reinstalled the old bleeder and re-bled the brakes. Got back some of the brake feel but it still feels mushy compared to before I did anything. Maybe I'll try bleeding it some more later or tomorrow when I have more time. I've run just about a whole bottle of fresh fluid through it.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Nor Cal
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,830
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From: Lorain Ohio
I'd try having someone pump the lever a few times then hold it in....crack the bleeder open then tighten it back up....release the lever an pump an see if it changed. I used a mini vac last time I changed fluid.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 98
Likes: 7
From: Dorr,MI
Another odd "trick" to try....take your brake lever and get sort of pissy with it, basically slap it on and off several times. Then take a zip tie, shoe string,etc... and hold the lever back to the grip/bar. Leave it on over night. See what morning brings.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Upstate New York
I had to do this the last time I flushed my front brakes on my '94. I'd never had this trouble before, but last year I couldn't get a firm lever no matter what. I used a couple of BIG rubber bands to hold the brake lever down overnight. By morning the lever was nice and firm. Apparently a small air bubble got trapped somewhere.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 788
From: Louisiana
I had to do this the last time I flushed my front brakes on my '94. I'd never had this trouble before, but last year I couldn't get a firm lever no matter what. I used a couple of BIG rubber bands to hold the brake lever down overnight. By morning the lever was nice and firm. Apparently a small air bubble got trapped somewhere.
This what I had to do. I used a zip tie on the lever and left it over night. The next morning I was good to go.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 358
Likes: 67
From: Dallas, TX
Pressure bleeder via Motive Power
OR
Mighty Vac vacuum bleed
I have not used my Motive Power pressure bleeder on a Harley yet, but on cars it is THE way to go. I think the Mighty Vac is probably a "better" way to go on a bike as its more controllable.
OR
Mighty Vac vacuum bleed
I have not used my Motive Power pressure bleeder on a Harley yet, but on cars it is THE way to go. I think the Mighty Vac is probably a "better" way to go on a bike as its more controllable.