Not knowing how many different master cylinders Harley uses for all of its' models I decided to post this here since my bike is a 2008 Heritage Softail.

Problem: It seems that the hand brake lever doesn't want to return fully to its' normal position when released. It has a little slack and it can jiggle a bit in the normal position when not being depressed. Sometimes the brake lights will flicker apparently due to the brake lever bouncing back and forth during the ride thus hitting the brake light switch. Riders behind me have told me this.

I called a Harley dealer and spoke to the service guy. He told me the master cylinder needs to be either rebuilt or replaced. That's a bit extreme I think. I asked if there is a small return spring attached to the lever to help assist with the return of the lever and he said "no".

Has anyone have this problem before and what did you do to resolve it. BTW, this bike only has 6600 miles. A bit early to have master cylinder issues; isn't it?

Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated.

 

When I bled mine it was like that and it was recommended to me that I zip tie the lever to the grip over night and sure enough it firmed up. Dont know if this helps.

 

did this just start all of a sudden or did you just have the brake system apart for bar upgrade.. you may just have air in the system.

 

Bleed the brakes and see what happens.

 

And the rebuild kit is like $25 so that's not extreme at all.

 

Something else is going on to cause a Master Cylinder rebuild on an '08 bike. Wrong fluid, leak, overworn pads, handing pads, rotor that is too thin. The only way that a rebuild would be necessary is if something was causing excessive deterioration (wrong fluid is eating the rubber, or water is severely corroding the cylinder).

 

It may not even be a master cylinder problem. Check your brake light switch. When the lever returns to its normal position, the switch gets pushed in, and turns the brake light off. When my switch broke I had a little play in my lever and with the slightest pressure (pushing forward) on the brake lever I could get my brake light to turn off, so I wouldn't be surprised if bumps on the road would do the same.

Here's a pic of the switch after I replaced it. Check yours to make sure the little button on the switch is still attached. They break really easy.