Squishy Front Brake
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
I am not the most handy guy, took the calipers off and cleaned the pistons with brake cleaner. Reassembled and the brakes now are perfect. Still have brake noise to deal with though. Noise appears when stopping.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 606
From: USA
I noticed that my rear brembo had 1 piston that looked like it rusted and fused to the caliper housing. I assume because I did not apply the grease and mask last brake change and I rode near 1000 miles in rain this summer. I actually watched all the other Pistons come out while doing a brake job but this one piston was so rusted it fused itself to the caliper.
The grease is an anti noise paste. It does not lubricate the pistons.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 222
Likes: 7
From: Palm Springs
Had the same issue on my 2000 Rk. Bled brakes with no change, so I unbolted caliper and sprayed lots of brake fluid cleaner, scrubbed the pistons with a toothbrush and re assembled. After 15 minutes riding, the brakes work perfect. Your pistons are probably all gummed up.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 992
Likes: 2
From: TN
The pistons need cleaned. Take one caliper off at a time and apply brake until the pads touch or almost so. Spray some brake clean or rubbing alcohol around the pistions and wipe with a q-tip. Push pads back gently with a screwdriver or something and repeat until pistons don't try and suck themselves back when you release the brake lever. 2 or 3 times should be good. Plenty of threads here about doing this.
Do the old fluid flush
Greenberg Brake Bleeding Method and
Hydraulics Bleeding (Brake and Clutch)
Service / Tech | Lyndall Brakes
This should work for you.
Greenberg Brake Bleeding Method and
Hydraulics Bleeding (Brake and Clutch)
Service / Tech | Lyndall Brakes
This should work for you.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
Got my bike in August of this year, had the problem. Fluid flush, new master put on (all at their expense) still didn't fix it.
Ran into the thread about cleaning up the pistons, done... Huge difference.
05 Ultra, BTW.
It took a few hundred miles for the pads to break back in and square up to the rotors. When they're not in full use, they're not in full wear, if that makes sense.
I even took the bike back up to my dealer (Indy) and showed him the difference, printed off the instructions...and he thanked me.
I wasn't complaining about a new MC and fresh fluid flush. But he could've saved himself and me time...and himself money...by simply cleaning them up.
Told him to walk around his showroom and feel the front brake on other bikes (all used bikes)...
Ran into the thread about cleaning up the pistons, done... Huge difference.
05 Ultra, BTW.
It took a few hundred miles for the pads to break back in and square up to the rotors. When they're not in full use, they're not in full wear, if that makes sense.
I even took the bike back up to my dealer (Indy) and showed him the difference, printed off the instructions...and he thanked me.
I wasn't complaining about a new MC and fresh fluid flush. But he could've saved himself and me time...and himself money...by simply cleaning them up.
Told him to walk around his showroom and feel the front brake on other bikes (all used bikes)...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 704
Likes: 45
From: Western Washington
Been said many times already. Had the same issue with my 2005 RK. Pull the calipers, take the pistons out and clean them with a scotchbrite pad, same for the cylinders. Put back together and bleed - just like new. Many will say to do the rebuild kit in the master cylinder, but it usually doesn't change anything.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post