Front wheel too much drag
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,060
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Is this normal for an Ultra?
Dealer says this is okay but to me it seems like excessive drag. I removed calipers, cleaned and pushed piston in a little by hand and the front wheel spun freely for 5 or 6 revolutions. It was noticeably easier to walk the bike around he garage. Couple pulls on the lever and it's back to this. I don't think the pads are returning enough.
Dealer says this is okay but to me it seems like excessive drag. I removed calipers, cleaned and pushed piston in a little by hand and the front wheel spun freely for 5 or 6 revolutions. It was noticeably easier to walk the bike around he garage. Couple pulls on the lever and it's back to this. I don't think the pads are returning enough.
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 80
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From: Cedarburg, WI
I originally misunderstood your question. You are asking if the caliper body is rubbing the rotor and it is not. No abrasion at all on those surfaces.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,816
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From: SE Louisiana
Read this, you can clean the pistons without opening the system.
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/downl...rake%20Pad.pdf
I also blow the calipers out every now and then, usually when checking tire air pressure.
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/downl...rake%20Pad.pdf
I also blow the calipers out every now and then, usually when checking tire air pressure.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 39
From: Southern Ontario
I was going to mention along with others in regards to cleaning the pistons. I have found that a very small amount of brake dust and road grime will prevent the pistons from retracting. Thanks Schex3x for posting the PDF. I feel better knowing I am not the only one who's found this out. Depending on miles, usually I so this annually.
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 80
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From: Cedarburg, WI
Read this, you can clean the pistons without opening the system.
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/downl...rake%20Pad.pdf
I also blow the calipers out every now and then, usually when checking tire air pressure.
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/downl...rake%20Pad.pdf
I also blow the calipers out every now and then, usually when checking tire air pressure.
Cleaning up the caliper is something I tried back in fall of 2015. It seemed to help at first but reverted back. There is something odd about the left side of each caliper showing more wear than the right. That suggests to me that one or both left side pistons are more resistant to release than the right. The only logical explanation I could come up with is that the seals on the left were damaged during years of sitting on a side stand.
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 80
Likes: 5
From: Cedarburg, WI
Follow up. The caliper rebuild solved the excessive wheel drag problem. The bike feels like I added power and I can move it around in the garage by hand without a struggle. I'm certain fuel mileage will increase.
When bike sits overnight the first pull of the lever comes in a little bit further than normal. This happens once and that's it. Brakes operate normally after that first pull and I've confirmed ABS is working.
The only theory I can come up with is that the pistons are retracting a little when the bike sits overnight. I kept bleeding and bleeding and am certain there is no air in the caliper. I guess it's possible some worked its way back into the ABS but the lever is firm, not spongy like when there is air in a system.
When bike sits overnight the first pull of the lever comes in a little bit further than normal. This happens once and that's it. Brakes operate normally after that first pull and I've confirmed ABS is working.
The only theory I can come up with is that the pistons are retracting a little when the bike sits overnight. I kept bleeding and bleeding and am certain there is no air in the caliper. I guess it's possible some worked its way back into the ABS but the lever is firm, not spongy like when there is air in a system.
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