Front Locking Up - Help Please!
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 574
Likes: 3
From: AB Canada
If you take the top of your master, carefully apply and release the brake, check for fluid returning in the reservoir. If relieving system pressure by cracking your bleeder screw allows your caliper piston to return, the caliper is working OK and the pressure is being maintained by your master.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 540
Likes: 3
From: Nooga, TN
I use this method to bleed/flush my brake systems. From your description it appears you are getting a hydraulic lock. If you cannot get fluid to flow from the bleeder back into the Master Cylinder then you have some kind of blockage. It is just an option in your troubleshooting. As I stated I have use this method many times, just don't try and put too much fluid too fast through the bleeder, just slow and steady. Also be careful not to overfill the master cylinder, it makes a mess.
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: NY
thanks for all the suggestions ... I actually dislocated my shoulder the other night so can't do much for the next 3-4 weeks...will let you know how it all turns out and what the problem was
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,230
Likes: 477
From: Southwest VA
Same thing. Its in the MC, May be easier just to replace it with new.
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: NY
Do you mean replace the reservoir/MC housing itself? I have already rebuilt the master cylinder and it was still locking up
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,230
Likes: 477
From: Southwest VA
I had the same exact symptoms you are describing happen on my bike 2 years ago after installing a new chrome control setup. A brief decryption of what was happening on my bike. I could bleed the brakes as per the manual. I would go for a test ride and as soon as I applied the front brake it would stop fine. As soon as I released the brake it would start building pressure to the point that the front wheel would lock up. I had to carry a wrench to brake the bleeder screw loose to relieve the pressure so that the brakes would release. Start down the road again and as soon as I applied brakes same thing would happen again. I exchanged for another new Master cylinder and problem solved.
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: NY
I had the same exact symptoms you are describing happen on my bike 2 years ago after installing a new chrome control setup. A brief decryption of what was happening on my bike. I could bleed the brakes as per the manual. I would go for a test ride and as soon as I applied the front brake it would stop fine. As soon as I released the brake it would start building pressure to the point that the front wheel would lock up. I had to carry a wrench to brake the bleeder screw loose to relieve the pressure so that the brakes would release. Start down the road again and as soon as I applied brakes same thing would happen again. I exchanged for another new Master cylinder and problem solved.
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