How much labor on brake fluid flush?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 342
From: Virginia Beach
Man, I thought I had asked a simple question. I was hoping someone had an H-D dealer to do the brake flush so I could determine if I was given the correct labor time on the job. I thought my original post was very clear--the dealer says the job takes one and one half hours to do the flush. That's one full hour plus 30 additional minutes for those who don't know what one and one half hour means. Also, my bike doesn't have ABS. And lastly, I don't want to do the job myself, but I don't want to get screwed by the dealer either if other dealers are only charging for thirty minutes of labor. At $90/hr. for labor, I want to pay what I should pay for the job.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 632
From: NorCal Rocklin
Man, I thought I had asked a simple question. I was hoping someone had an H-D dealer to do the brake flush so I could determine if I was given the correct labor time on the job. I thought my original post was very clear--the dealer says the job takes one and one half hours to do the flush. That's one full hour plus 30 additional minutes for those who don't know what one and one half hour means. Also, my bike doesn't have ABS. And lastly, I don't want to do the job myself, but I don't want to get screwed by the dealer either if other dealers are only charging for thirty minutes of labor. At $90/hr. for labor, I want to pay what I should pay for the job.
You thought you were going to get an actual answer,
I think 1.5 hours of work at 90 per hour is too damn high, which I believe is the norm. That's what 270 including fluid or without? You can probably call and get quotes and see if you can haggle. It never hurts to ask. If they balked or laugh at you then you know you shouldn't be doing business with that dealer.
I think 150 is still high price to pay for something that can be done in less than an hour
Last edited by vizcarmb; Sep 10, 2016 at 02:00 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 173
From: Watertown, CT
Maybe a different thought----By the time he goes out and gets speed bleeders, or a vacuum pump plus brake fluid and gets his 70 year old knees to bend ( I'm 74 so I know) it might be easier and cheaper for him to just have the dealer or indy do the job. It might take longer just running around getting everything needed. I do my own but have a lift so no bending is needed and because I don't like going to the dealer.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
I do my own at home, use the recommended vac pump and its so easy to do. no runs no drips no errors.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 959
Likes: 5
From: Oswego, IL
I had mine done at the dealer because it was there getting tuned.
I was. Verbally quoted 1 hr plus fluid. I said ok do it. Went to pick up the bike and I was charged 2 hrs. I asked what was going on and I was told it is 1 hr each wheel. WTF. The service writer that wrote me came in and I questioned him and he asked and was told sorry. Pretty crappy in my opinion. The bike bags and side covers were off too (did the cam work in December and had tuned in January so I just left all the stuff off for transport.) I should have known better from a previous dealing with another Harley dealer. Just so happens the same guy owns both these dealers I had trouble with.
The offending dealer was Illinois Harley Davidson in Countryside.
Moral to to the story...... Get it in writing on you service ticket before agreeing to the work.
I was. Verbally quoted 1 hr plus fluid. I said ok do it. Went to pick up the bike and I was charged 2 hrs. I asked what was going on and I was told it is 1 hr each wheel. WTF. The service writer that wrote me came in and I questioned him and he asked and was told sorry. Pretty crappy in my opinion. The bike bags and side covers were off too (did the cam work in December and had tuned in January so I just left all the stuff off for transport.) I should have known better from a previous dealing with another Harley dealer. Just so happens the same guy owns both these dealers I had trouble with.
The offending dealer was Illinois Harley Davidson in Countryside.
Moral to to the story...... Get it in writing on you service ticket before agreeing to the work.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 155
Likes: 11
From: Newark DE
The abs module is a wetted part containing brake fluid.. Harley is currently you claiming the recent spate of abs module seize ups due to failure to properly flush the hydraulics, including the ABS module..
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 612
Likes: 175
From: Milwaukee
I had mine done at the dealer because it was there getting tuned.
I was. Verbally quoted 1 hr plus fluid. I said ok do it. Went to pick up the bike and I was charged 2 hrs. I asked what was going on and I was told it is 1 hr each wheel. WTF. The service writer that wrote me came in and I questioned him and he asked and was told sorry. Pretty crappy in my opinion. The bike bags and side covers were off too (did the cam work in December and had tuned in January so I just left all the stuff off for transport.) I should have known better from a previous dealing with another Harley dealer. Just so happens the same guy owns both these dealers I had trouble with.
I was. Verbally quoted 1 hr plus fluid. I said ok do it. Went to pick up the bike and I was charged 2 hrs. I asked what was going on and I was told it is 1 hr each wheel. WTF. The service writer that wrote me came in and I questioned him and he asked and was told sorry. Pretty crappy in my opinion. The bike bags and side covers were off too (did the cam work in December and had tuned in January so I just left all the stuff off for transport.) I should have known better from a previous dealing with another Harley dealer. Just so happens the same guy owns both these dealers I had trouble with.
While the tech performed the front "Harley-Davidson branded and approved" brake service as directed by the "Harley-Davidson branded and approved" service manual, the tech was breathing "Harley-Davidson branded and approved" air.
When the tech was finished with the front, he took a break in their "Harley-Davidson branded and approved" break room, sitting on "Harley-Davidson branded and approved" stools, he BSed with another "Harley-Davidson branded and approved" service technician, while sipping a Coke dispensed from a "Harley-Davidson branded and approved" Coke machine.
The "Harley-Davidson branded and approved" tech then went back to the "Harley-Davidson branded and approved" service department and did the rear brake, utilizing the above "Harley-Davidson branded and approved" service procedures.
Can you tell that I've had some bad experiences with H-D dealers?
Last edited by Curt5811; Sep 10, 2016 at 11:42 AM.