rear brakes binding
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,436
Likes: 7,130
From: Beyond Fucital
rear brakes binding
I looked though the search and couldn't find any info, so I'll ask.
Took the bike out today, first nice day in two weeks.
Just around the block to work though the "Seafoam" I put in the tank.
Anyway, I get home and can't roll back, the rear brake peddle is locked down and no play, and tire can't spin. Put her up on the jack and can't move it. So I proceed to crack open the bleeder, expecting a real pisser, but nope, just enough to release the piston and pads. I back her up in neutral, hit rear brake, and it happens again. So I crack the bleeder again, same thing happens. Take her out around the block again, and it's not as tight, but dragging. someone suggested to flush the brake fluid.
It's a 94 fxstc, real low mileage (160). The bike's new, and new to me. But that's another story.
Took the bike out today, first nice day in two weeks.
Just around the block to work though the "Seafoam" I put in the tank.
Anyway, I get home and can't roll back, the rear brake peddle is locked down and no play, and tire can't spin. Put her up on the jack and can't move it. So I proceed to crack open the bleeder, expecting a real pisser, but nope, just enough to release the piston and pads. I back her up in neutral, hit rear brake, and it happens again. So I crack the bleeder again, same thing happens. Take her out around the block again, and it's not as tight, but dragging. someone suggested to flush the brake fluid.
It's a 94 fxstc, real low mileage (160). The bike's new, and new to me. But that's another story.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, Orange County, Ca
I had this happen to me a week or so after my last service. Had air get in the line somehow. HD came and picked it up and fixed it all under warranty. No charge. I wouldn't play around with the brakes. Have it looked at right away.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 601
Likes: 6
From: Aruba
Air would cause a spongy pedal, not a locked up brake.
It sounds like the valve in your master cylinder isn't allowing the fluid to flow back into the reservoir to release the line pressure when you take your foot off the brake. That would mean a rebuild on the master cylinder or a new one. I would think that the brake pedal would come back up though even with pressure in the line. Flushing all the brake fluid wouldn't be a bad idea especially if it's been sitting in there for 18 years.
The other possibility is that your calipers are sticking. It's not uncommon on calipers to get a rust ring inside the cylinder. Sometimes you can clean it up by running the piston in and out. Other times it's time for a caliper rebuild. Take the brakes off the bike and run the piston in and out with a c-clamp and the brake pedal.
If you try to run the piston in and out, make sure that the c-clamp is loose enough to allow the piston movement but tight enough so you don't pop the piston out of the cylinder. If you do that, you get to rebuild your caliper anyways.
It sounds like the valve in your master cylinder isn't allowing the fluid to flow back into the reservoir to release the line pressure when you take your foot off the brake. That would mean a rebuild on the master cylinder or a new one. I would think that the brake pedal would come back up though even with pressure in the line. Flushing all the brake fluid wouldn't be a bad idea especially if it's been sitting in there for 18 years.
The other possibility is that your calipers are sticking. It's not uncommon on calipers to get a rust ring inside the cylinder. Sometimes you can clean it up by running the piston in and out. Other times it's time for a caliper rebuild. Take the brakes off the bike and run the piston in and out with a c-clamp and the brake pedal.
If you try to run the piston in and out, make sure that the c-clamp is loose enough to allow the piston movement but tight enough so you don't pop the piston out of the cylinder. If you do that, you get to rebuild your caliper anyways.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, Orange County, Ca
yes. What happened was a spongy brake pedal on the way home from work. So I pumped it and as I pumped it the brakes got tighter and tighter. I just made it home. After that, they stayed locked for a day or so and finally started to loosen enough for them to push the bike out of the garage and onto HD's trailer. The fixed it...no charge. But it was kind of a scary feeling having no rear brakes on the ride home.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,436
Likes: 7,130
From: Beyond Fucital
If I crack the bleeder, every thing goes back to normal. Fluid or master cylinder? Sounds like master cylinder but I don't want to replace or rebuild if I'm not positive. Might replace brake fluid first,and see what happens.
What do you think?
What do you think?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 4
From: Sunny South Florida
I don't know, if it were me, I think i would rebuild the caliper first. That and flush the fluids out of the lines. If the problem survives this, then look into the master cylinder.
I only say the caliper fist because if the piston is binding in one spot, it would be easy for it to stop the piston from retracting enough to lock the rotor.
I don't play when it comes to brakes. Go big so you can get home.
I only say the caliper fist because if the piston is binding in one spot, it would be easy for it to stop the piston from retracting enough to lock the rotor.
I don't play when it comes to brakes. Go big so you can get home.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 15
I second the rebuild on caliper or just take apart a clean and grease pistons . just did to my front brakes there were making a heck of a noise at low speeds. One piston was hanging up. Put new brake fluid and bleed them good.