So, I'm riding along the other day, enjoying the scoot and the day. All of a sudden, the motor seems to lose power, and goes "off song". I check the gas gauge, fine. Pull in clutch and downshift, motor sounds fine but still down on power. So I pull in the clutch to coast, and the thing practically stops, like I'm really on the brakes. Uh oh! Get her pulled to the side, look down, and rear rotor is glowing red, fluid is boiling and fizzing out of bleeder. Of course, rear master is all but locked up at this point. So I sit on the side of the road for an hour to let it cool down. When it does, brake pedal is back to normal operation (except for mushy from fluid loss), caliper is applying and releasing like normal, and I ride 5 miles home with no dragging or heat buildup at all. Like nothing ever happened. For lack of a better term, WTF?! Anyone ever had anything like this happen? I know it's not my boot laying on the brake pedal and dragging them, because I have to move my toe inward slightly to even apply the rear brake. I would have to be trying to do it. So what gives?

 

sounds like you left the parking brake on.
it could be bad fluid, water in it. it boiled out, flush it

 

That sucks ***. I never had a prob like that but when I was riding to myrtle last year my remove piston seal blew and lost rear brakes which fed the rotor and pads up and my extended warranty and or harley didnt do ****. Just sayn

 

I have an 85 FXRS, the rear master had a little bit of crap in it which ended up clogged. I hadn't flushed out the brake fluid ever, I tried rebuilding it still happened. Ended up just replacing it. My local Indy guy said we're supposed to flush it completey as part of a service, not sure after how many miles, best to check the manual. Anyway, that's what happened when rear rotor glowed like sun.

 

Yeah, never had anything like this. Bike is less than 2 yrs. old, so I wouldn't think the fluid is contaminated or dirty, but who knows? I'm gonna flush all the fluid, and replace the pads (I'm sure they are glazed after getting smoked like that). The rotor doesn't seem warped, but I think I'm gonna replace it anyway because of all the bluing. It just looks like crap. Also, gotta replace the little chrome caliper cover that I just put on, it's all melted and bubbled up. I am wondering about the caliper piston seals, but I don't see any leakage. No biggie, I guess. I was just trying to put the word out there to see if maybe there was someone else that may have had this, and figured it out. It came on so suddenly and without warning or reason that I don't wanna change out all the crap only to have it happen again.

 

Well, I tried to bleed the rear brake today, and it appears the rear master is shot. Can't get it to pump fluid at all. I'm wondering if that may be the original cause? It's a Perf. Machine extended foot control unit. Anyone know if they rebuild, or what their warranty might be? I guess I'll call 'em tomorrow. I hope I don't have to buy the entire unit, that stuff ain't cheap! It was installed by a Harley dealer at time of original purchase, but I doubt that they will be too helpful with a warranty claim, as it's not HD parts. Any ideas on this?

 

My friend had the same thing happen to his front brakes. Shop said it was air in the line I threw the bullshit flag! It was an after market front mastey cylinder. I'm thinking he put the wrong fluid in it and the seals swelled forcing fluid to the brakes. Anyway we bled them and I guess they have done fine.

 

Another update. I couldn't bleed the rear brakes (see above), so I made sure they weren't dragging at all, which they weren't. I said screw it, no rear brake, no biggie, I wanna ride! I went out and everything was fine for about 25 miles or so, then again without warning, the rears applied with the same exact symptoms and effects. Huh? So I wait again for the cool down, and got her home with no probs. All I can figure is air in line or caliper that is heating up and expanding? Or maybe the caliper dragging ever so slightly causing slow heat buildup until boiling point? Anyway, I'm waiting to hear back from PM as far as warranty or rebuild on the master, got a rotor and pads on the way, and new fluid at the wait. I've decided I'm gonna replace the rear caliper as well, to eliminate any of the possible culprits (after I blow the lines clear). Anyone have a part # for the caliper?

 

so do we know what model and year you have? i bet you can find them on ebay or a local indy

 

Sorry about that, thought I had put it in one of my posts. It is an 08 Rocker. I'll check out ebay, and ask at my local shop tom. I just thought someone might have it handy.