2012 heritage with front brake problem
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,591
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
This problem falls under most lemon laws of most states since it is a safety issue. I would notify the Harley Customer Service 414-343-4056. Tell them the story and arrange a meeting at the dealer. Bet the next time they replace everything from the master down. They are only allowed three tries at these type of fixes. Actually one too many. If you can really prove they have attempted to fix a brake problem twice, I bet they will come and get it with a trailer. Is it ABS?
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jan 11, 2012 at 11:01 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Oregon
front brake problem
The brakes are not ABS. Now the dealer wants me to bring the bike over so they can once again diagnose. I keep telling them to just replace the master cyclinder and the caliper and it should be good. Problem is I have to talk with the service dept. and not the technition that actually does the work. I think that's why they seem to just bleed the brakes and call it good. The dealer is over 100 miles awy and so I try to get them to do the work in the same day I take it to them so I don't have to make two trips. Maybe I should dump it off and pick up at a later date so they can actually see that it bleeds down since they act like I don't know what I'm talking about.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
i know 100 miles is a long ways, but that is the key to getting anything fixed properly, the mechanic has to be able to experience and duplicate the complaint.
if they replace the m/cyl on your request /diagnosis, which may or may not fix the problem and you then go out and crash the bike because the problem isn't fixed, they are liable.
if they replace the m/cyl on your request /diagnosis, which may or may not fix the problem and you then go out and crash the bike because the problem isn't fixed, they are liable.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Oregon
2012 heritage brake problem--problem resolved
Finally took the heritage back to the dealership again to address the brake issue. They once again wanted me to leave the bike so they could bleed the brakes and see if they would hold pressure. I told them that is what they did the other 2 times and it didn't work. To make a long story short i ended up contacting the factory customer service to explain the issue and safety concerns at which time the they contacted the dealership and told them to replace the master cylinder. I can't understand why they wouldn't just do it on their own. Problem solved --- great to have a front brake.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,591
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Obivious that your problem had something to due with a manufacturing defect that the mechanic was completely unaware of since these parts rarely fail unless worn out which is rare. Someone probably put wrong fluid or cotaminated it and gummed it up with this low milage and age. Big brother Harleys has probably spanked your dealer in past for them trying to gouge them wihich is usually how it happens. What surprises is how it appears you were calling shots from beginning to end which you should only due with the head man after they had done there thing and it faied. Strange how the forgot they had worked on it. As soon as they put my number in, it comes up with all that has ever been done even though I rarely go in and only when warranty or recall issues come up. Glad to here you got it fixed. Be sure to put correct fluid in it. (what is written down. not someones guess. Mine is 5 but new ones are back to 3 or 4. Big difference and mixing will trash system to gel
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: Florida
I wouldn’t call this problem all that rare. I had the exact same issue and went to the Local dealer. He did a service and the brakes felt great for a day. I was going to another dealer on Sunday with a friend so he could test drive a bike and pulled mine into service. I talked to the service manager and told him I needed a master cylinder. He said he would need to diag the problem and I informed him the I could pull the brake all the way back to the bars right now… It got stiff about ˝” from the bars but if you pulled it slow and steady you could force it back. He started talking about bleeding it and I informed him that it had been bleed by the other dealership 2 days ago and it should show that in his computer. He started waffling and I said let me make this simple…. This is the second of three attempts you get to try to fix a safety problem. If you don’t want to replace the master cylinder I will call the MOCO and see what they say because they will be buying the bike back next week when they fail again. I told him I was not trying to be a jerk but this was a safety issue. He agreed to replace the master cylinder and allow me to pay the difference and have a chrome one installed. Brakes work better than ever.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,591
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
I wouldn’t call this problem all that rare. I had the exact same issue and went to the Local dealer. He did a service and the brakes felt great for a day. I was going to another dealer on Sunday with a friend so he could test drive a bike and pulled mine into service. I talked to the service manager and told him I needed a master cylinder. He said he would need to diag the problem and I informed him the I could pull the brake all the way back to the bars right now… It got stiff about ˝” from the bars but if you pulled it slow and steady you could force it back. He started talking about bleeding it and I informed him that it had been bleed by the other dealership 2 days ago and it should show that in his computer. He started waffling and I said let me make this simple…. This is the second of three attempts you get to try to fix a safety problem. If you don’t want to replace the master cylinder I will call the MOCO and see what they say because they will be buying the bike back next week when they fail again. I told him I was not trying to be a jerk but this was a safety issue. He agreed to replace the master cylinder and allow me to pay the difference and have a chrome one installed. Brakes work better than ever.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Apr 18, 2012 at 06:41 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: Florida
I didn't really get a once over once the mechanic watched me pull my handle back and almost touch the bars. I could touch the bars with it but it took more force than was required to lock the front wheel. If it seemed like I was trying to infer that the workings of the chrome master cylinder was any better than the black one that was not my intent. In fact, if mine was set up from the factory with DOT 5 I would have left a new black one on there. The brakes were fantastic right after he bleed them for about 48hrs. so there is nothing else that could be wrong, as you eluded brakes are not rocket science. Now if the brakes act funny while riding (not my or the OPs problem) there could be other issues but this is a first thing in the morning problem. The brakes do stay spungy all day but not to the point that you cannot lock the tire up, so the problem cannot be in the rotor or caliper.