Properly bleeding ABS brakes... what's the cheat?
Banned
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 67
Well, the cheat as you call it is to not let the brake fluid reservoir go empty as you are bleeding the lines. I have used a Mity Vacuum pump to do my ABS brakes 4 times over the years and I never let the reservoir run empty when adding fluid. If you do let it run empty you will likely let air into the lines and you will end up at the dealers with a bill for a session on their Digital Technician to reset everything. I put the brake fluid into a plastic ketchup squirt bottle to keep adding fluid. Cover up your gas tank with a piece of plastic because no matter how careful you think you are going to be, you will probably spill some. Oh ya, the cap on the reservoir will tell you what kind of fluid to use. Good luck.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,824
Likes: 603
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I've bled ABS brakes a few times when installing longer brake lines. All seem to go well and no ABS light staying on, but you know what, I still took it to the dealer for 1/2 hour labor cost and had them run it on the digital tech. IMHO brakes are nothing to be fooled with and you don't want to find out you should have done that while in the middle of an emergency stop and TBone, and find out the ABS failed. I figured the insurance of $40 was well worth it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
As long as you don't introduce air into the abs module your brakes will bleed the same as non abs systems.
It's as simple as that.
Should you mess up and let the reservoir run dry, that's when you need to take it to the dealer to have the abs bled.
It's as simple as that.
Should you mess up and let the reservoir run dry, that's when you need to take it to the dealer to have the abs bled.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 217
From: Puyallup Wa.
Local dealer here quoted $100. For a brake fluid flush. It was commented that Harley is starting to consider it a safety item.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I believe the cheat is to replace the fluid with a mityvac, ride the bike and brake hard enough to cycle the old fluid out of the ABS, then replace the fluid again with the mityvac to remove the old ABS fluid you just cycled.
Might be worth $100 to let the dealer do it.
Beary
Might be worth $100 to let the dealer do it.
Beary
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
I bleed the brakes normally with a clear tube and a wrench, adding fluid as needed (after soaking out the old fluid in the master cylinder with a clean rag).
Then I go ride the bike and cycle the ABS and flush the lines again. I do this once a year in my ABS bike.
As mentioned, do not turn on the ignition during the process.
Then I go ride the bike and cycle the ABS and flush the lines again. I do this once a year in my ABS bike.
As mentioned, do not turn on the ignition during the process.