Poor brake performance
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 20
From: Kafar Hanusi
Bill's brakes
The brakes on my 92 Sportster are not that great. I can get the back brake to lock up only if I stand on it and I doubt that I could get the front to lock even if I gripped it with both hands.
They do slow me down OK but that's about the extent of it. They certainly don't seem to inspire a great deal of confidence in the bikes stopping ability.
Is this normal for a Sportster or should I be looking for an issue with them?
They do slow me down OK but that's about the extent of it. They certainly don't seem to inspire a great deal of confidence in the bikes stopping ability.
Is this normal for a Sportster or should I be looking for an issue with them?
do 2 things,
1. change the brake fluid after checking for leaks or bad brake lines & connections.
2. check to see the pads are installed properly, in the wrong location they do not work well.
The brakes on the bike are adequate to the task as long as the mechanic is up to the task.
Regards, David
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
Take the calipurs apart,,clean and re lube the pin also,,
Change out the brake fluid completly,,
Clean the disks with simple green or brake cleaner or vinegar..
I clean mine every bike wash and can feel the difference......
If pads are below 50% change em,,calipur won't have to move as far..
Changing to stainless steel wrapped brake lines will reduce line expansion.
If I use anything more than foot muscles on my rear It locks..
Last single disk custom I rode,,the front brake was lockable with a
decent squeeze.
My dual disk fronts,,stopping Is a two fingerd affair.
If you decide to go dual fronts remember the master cylinder you have
cannot move the volume of fluid the dual disk system needs.
Change out the brake fluid completly,,
Clean the disks with simple green or brake cleaner or vinegar..
I clean mine every bike wash and can feel the difference......
If pads are below 50% change em,,calipur won't have to move as far..
Changing to stainless steel wrapped brake lines will reduce line expansion.
If I use anything more than foot muscles on my rear It locks..
Last single disk custom I rode,,the front brake was lockable with a
decent squeeze.
My dual disk fronts,,stopping Is a two fingerd affair.
If you decide to go dual fronts remember the master cylinder you have
cannot move the volume of fluid the dual disk system needs.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Essex, UK
Why would you want to lock the brakes? Locking brakes means longer stopping distances as you are sliding, thus lack of control. Locking brakes will flat spot your tires. Why do you think auto and bike manfactuer's have ABS systems? Ideally, the best stopping performance is at the point of impending lock-up, but not at lock-up. 
I was purely saying that IF I wanted to I couldn't even if I squeezed as hard as I could. I was trying to get a feel for whether this is typical for Harley brakes or something unique to mine. I suppose I could look on the bright side and consider it as a sort of ABS style system.
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