has anyone experienced the back tire locking up, and spinning outa control sideways on a simple tap of the brakes? this has happened to me several times and it is dangerous, and hella scary...i talked to a guy and he says the same thing happened to him on his nighttrain.

 

Ya its happened to me too. I was trying to stop in a HURRY and locked up the rear of my Custom. You wouldn't think it would be that easy on a bike that weighs as much as a Softail does.
I have also had it "skip" sidewise when I was powering through a turn where there was a number of little tar strips used to fill cracks in the pavement. Having it slide like that while your leaning over nearly to the pegs can really get your attention in a BIG hurry.
I think it has a lot to do with that nice big fat tire that's back there. It has a lower ground pressure rating than a narrower tire would. Plus the rubber compound that the tread is made from seems to be a little bit too hard for my taste. I would rather buy new tires a little more often than have it lock up, or slide sidewise on me.

 

Happens to me too. I thought that maybe it was because I only weigh 138...lol. I guess it's better to know that they are locking up, versus tapping them and NOTHING at all happens.

 

The only time my rear tire has locked up is when I've gotten on the rear brake pedal HARD. Never happened under normal braking.

Cheers!
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That's when it happened to me, in a panic stop.
But I believe that the newer 200mm tire on the 06 and up Softails may be a tad easier to lock up.
Almost makes me want to deliberatly put a small air bubble in the line so it can't lock up.

BTW Clammy, your bike looks EVIL, I love it. [sm=smiley20.gif]

 

The rear brake is quite responsive and thats exactly the way I like it.Much of the bike's weight naturally tranfers to the front when stopping and even more dramatically when stopping quickly.You don't want the front brake taking too much of the load and impairing steering/control.

If my memory serves me well,I think the front brake handles 75% braking load under normal conditions.

 

Never had it lock up unexpectedly or skip. Getting on the rear hard would make any bike handle less than desired.

 

Thanks! She's almost to where I want her, heheheh... actually, cosmetically, she's almost exactly where I want her. THis winter it's engine work - gear drive cams, and likely getting the heads done by Head Quarters. One of the parts I like best, you can't see in any of the pics I've posted: I had a custom primary inspection cover made with "MCMLXIX" (roman numerals for 1969 - the year I was born) in silver over the wrinkle black. The lettering matches a tattoo I have on the inside of my right arm. It looks awesome, and is a one-of-a-kind piece.

Cheers!
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I've locked mine up a couple of times (150mm rear tire). I was use to a rear drum brake bike that needed more effort to stop, plus I wasn't useing enough front brake. Now that I use more front brake, I have no problem stopping, nor do I lock the rear brake anymore.

 

had it happen a few times on the street bob. it was so easy to lock that back wheel up. didnt like it so i got rid. ive got a sporty now. no problems there at all.