Changing brake fluid on ABS bike.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 539
Likes: 5
From: Penna
Changing brake fluid on ABS bike.
Manual says you should use special bleeder to prevent air from being introduced into the system. I have a air operated brake bleeder that pulls the old fluid out and replaces it with new from a reservoir bottle.
Should I be concerned about introducing air into the system using this method ? Obviously I have to make sure the MC does not get low and pull air.
Should I be concerned about introducing air into the system using this method ? Obviously I have to make sure the MC does not get low and pull air.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
I got some SpeedBleeders. I pulled the maxi fuse. Then I pumped the lever/pedal and kept the master cylinders from going empty. I ran a bottle through the front, first left side then right. Then I ran a bottle through the rear. Reinstalled maxi fuse and took the bike for a ride.
The brakes worked fine. I slowed the bike down in a parking lot and slammed on brakes causing the ABS to kick in a few times front and rear.
Brakes worked fine, no air in the system. I change the fluid every two years, three last time. I let the dealer do the first two times because I was a little worried about doing it myself. Also, I didn't want to spend the $200 or so again.
I'll be doing it myself every 2 years now.
The brakes worked fine. I slowed the bike down in a parking lot and slammed on brakes causing the ABS to kick in a few times front and rear.
Brakes worked fine, no air in the system. I change the fluid every two years, three last time. I let the dealer do the first two times because I was a little worried about doing it myself. Also, I didn't want to spend the $200 or so again.
I'll be doing it myself every 2 years now.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,617
Likes: 1,615
From: Eastern Ohio
I got some SpeedBleeders. I pulled the maxi fuse. Then I pumped the lever/pedal and kept the master cylinders from going empty. I ran a bottle through the front, first left side then right. Then I ran a bottle through the rear. Reinstalled maxi fuse and took the bike for a ride.
The brakes worked fine. I slowed the bike down in a parking lot and slammed on brakes causing the ABS to kick in a few times front and rear.
Brakes worked fine, no air in the system. I change the fluid every two years, three last time. I let the dealer do the first two times because I was a little worried about doing it myself. Also, I didn't want to spend the $200 or so again.
I'll be doing it myself every 2 years now.
The brakes worked fine. I slowed the bike down in a parking lot and slammed on brakes causing the ABS to kick in a few times front and rear.
Brakes worked fine, no air in the system. I change the fluid every two years, three last time. I let the dealer do the first two times because I was a little worried about doing it myself. Also, I didn't want to spend the $200 or so again.
I'll be doing it myself every 2 years now.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 421
Likes: 71
From: Hayward Ca
Vacuum bleeding with a pneumatic brake fluid bleeder is by far the easiest and cleanest way to get the job done. Harbor frieght sells one cheap that works perfectly. Hook it up to your compressor, push the fitting onto your bleeder screw, pull the trigger and crack the bleeder screw. Just keep the reservoir full as it draw fluid throught the system. Tighten the bleeder screw pull off the fitting and your done. The vacuum will draw all the fluid into the container and you shouldnt even spill a drop.
On ABS brakes just make sure you dont turn the ignition on and you will be fine. I have 148,000 on my '08 RK and have done this dozens of times. I have never needed to have the dealer bleed my ABS brakes.
Here is a link to a you tube video of it being used on a car but the process is the same
On ABS brakes just make sure you dont turn the ignition on and you will be fine. I have 148,000 on my '08 RK and have done this dozens of times. I have never needed to have the dealer bleed my ABS brakes.
Here is a link to a you tube video of it being used on a car but the process is the same
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
The speedbleeders replace the OEM bleeder valves on the calipers so the brake fluid bleeds out through them as I squeeze the brake lever and push the brake pedal and the new brake fluid takes it's place.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Manual says you should use special bleeder to prevent air from being introduced into the system. I have a air operated brake bleeder that pulls the old fluid out and replaces it with new from a reservoir bottle.
Should I be concerned about introducing air into the system using this method ? Obviously I have to make sure the MC does not get low and pull air.
Should I be concerned about introducing air into the system using this method ? Obviously I have to make sure the MC does not get low and pull air.
Trending Topics
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,897
From: Oklahoma
I believe you guys are changing all of the fluid except for what is in the ABS controller. To pump the old fluid out of that requires the Harley computer.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 191
From: Boise, Idaho
I'm using a vacuum operated brake bleeder with no problems. I have flushed my brake fluid several times on my bike.(2012 FLHTK) I have done the same for friends with ABS bikes.
You will be just fine doing what you have planned.
You will be just fine doing what you have planned.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,617
Likes: 1,615
From: Eastern Ohio
The bleeder is on top of the banjo where the brake line attaches. There's a fairly large reservoir of fluid down in behind the pistons. When you force fluid into the caliper it's going to enter through the opening in the line/fitting, then take the path of least resistance, which is straight out through the bleeder. I don't believe you are actually flushing the fluid out of the caliper. I don't know that a vacuum type bleeder would necessarily do any better at pulling that old fluid out of the caliper either. It would be effective if the line attached at a low point on the caliper, and bleeder was at the highest point on the caliper. Unfortunately that's not how the caliper is designed. I'm 6 hrs from my service manual, and I've never read what Harley's procedure for this consists of. I'm not sure of the best way to get all of the fluid out, but I think if you pushed the pistons in and forced a lot of the fluid out of the caliper, held the pistons in the compressed position, then bled the system, it would be a more effective way of exchanging most of the fluid in the system.