Front Brake lock up!!!
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 731
Likes: 7
From: Windsor Ontario
I believe I found the culprit.....Yep, master cylinder plunger not returning. Found purple jello thoughout the bottom of it. Used the brake bleeder to suck out majority of the crap, then shop-vac'd out the pieces I found sitting in the master cylinder valve/plunger hole, and then bleed the brake. I used the remainder of the DOT 5 bottle that I used last spring. However, the fluid that bled out was mainly amber with no bubbles at all. Going for a maden voyage right now!!!!!
If you want to use DOT 5 your system has to be purged absolutely clean, you will likely have more jello throughout your system.
Here are the details you should know before you procede any farther.
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
The jello you found is a result of mixing DOT4 and DOT5... unless your bike is a rubbermount you should be using DOT4!
If you want to use DOT 5 your system has to be purged absolutely clean, you will likely have more jello throughout your system.
Here are the details you should know before you procede any farther.
If you want to use DOT 5 your system has to be purged absolutely clean, you will likely have more jello throughout your system.
Here are the details you should know before you procede any farther.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 731
Likes: 7
From: Windsor Ontario
Wonder why the master says DOT 5? did somebody swap the hand controls from a newer model maybe? Sounds like you have a little work ahead. Good luck brother, glad this didn't turn out worse!
EDIT: good lookin scoot BTW, I like those pipes
EDIT: good lookin scoot BTW, I like those pipes
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
In fact, DOT 5 is "For use in all models (except '06-later VRSC, '07-later XL, '08-later XR, '06-later Dyna and Softail, and '05-later Touring models)" according to the Motor Company.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 731
Likes: 7
From: Windsor Ontario
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Anybody know the part number(s) for the master cylinder & caliper rebuild kits? The GF grounded me from the bike this morning until I get this fixed, and she made me drive the mommy-mobile, (mini-van). 
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Thanks. I'm the original owner, and no, to me switching out the hand controls.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: British Columbia
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Northern Michigan
Call it the *******-wagon instead. Why else would they come stock with tinted windows and bench seats? Good luck on the rebuild...I know my 1200R only has 3500 miles on it, but not sure if it's been done at all. Buying used can be scary. The brakes do feel good on it and with dual discs on mine, it stops pretty hard...not like a sport bike, but good for anything but trick riding.
I'm not about to attempt stuff like that...dangerous enough watching for mommy-mobiles out to kill me.
I'm not about to attempt stuff like that...dangerous enough watching for mommy-mobiles out to kill me.
Stage I
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Fort Atkinson, WI
Jumping on this thread as I'm having this exact issue with my '06 Fat Boy. Same symptoms - drag started a mile from home at ~20mph, which stopped me in my tracks. Bled the front brake to release pressure, and was able to get it back to my garage.
I found a lot of crud in the master cylinder reservoir, and discovered that the brake fluid would not transfer down into the line when bleeding with a MityVac. This pointed towards the master cylinder being clogged, so I purchased the rebuild kit, cleaned everything out well and re-assembled. Brake fluid now freely transfers.
After bleeding to remove air, I went for a short test ride. Within a block of where it happened last time, the front brake locked up again. So, I'm now at a loss - thinking the caliper needs to either be thoroughly cleaned or replaced.
I found a lot of crud in the master cylinder reservoir, and discovered that the brake fluid would not transfer down into the line when bleeding with a MityVac. This pointed towards the master cylinder being clogged, so I purchased the rebuild kit, cleaned everything out well and re-assembled. Brake fluid now freely transfers.
After bleeding to remove air, I went for a short test ride. Within a block of where it happened last time, the front brake locked up again. So, I'm now at a loss - thinking the caliper needs to either be thoroughly cleaned or replaced.