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?

 

My bike can lock up with a fair amount of force, nothing too bad. Maybe your pads are glazed or the compound is all wrong for the rotor. Check fluid level in the brakes. Are they spongy or solid? If the fluid is real old or low, it would make it harder to get more power. If they are spongy, you need to bleed the system.

 

+1, or you may even need to check/replace the brake lines themselves, as the could be the originals and are swelling, which would not be putting all the force onto the brake pads.

 

Thanks guys. They're solid and the front has a reasonably (looking) braided hose. I would guess it's been changed at some point.

I think I'll start with new pads and fluid and go from there. Just didn't want to shell out cash if the performance would be no better and I'd end up replacing the callipers.

 

All harley's brakes suck esp the sporty, but you should be able to lock up the front,but never do it.you will dump.seen a bagger dump last sun. For that reason.

 

Thanks Richie. Totally understood. I appreciate the concern.

I think it's the whole lack of feel and response that bothers me most. I might see if I can get a ride on another Sportster to compare.

Do the new bikes use the same braking system as the older ones? I might have a ride down to the stealership.

 

For a bike the age of yours, you can benefit from changing the brake fluid with some new fluid.....

 

My wife has the same problem on her 96. Her front brake just barely does anything. I'm at the point now where the pads or even the rotor gas to be glazed. I would check for that. I hear it's pretty easy for this to happen.

 

I am a avid fan of yearly brake fluid flush and replace. You can buy or borrow a blake bleeder "gun" that will work wonders. First open your caps and see if the fluid is dark? Ir it is flush and bleed your brakes. Clean you resiviors.. If your rotors are glazed be ready for the bill. they aint cheap.

 

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.