Brake Fluid Change w/ABS
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
From what the dealer told me, the digitech just activates the ABS the same as if you hit the brakes on a slippery surface. I change my fluid, then go out and brake to the point of ABS activation several times, then rebleed the brakes. My bikes a 2010 and I've had no issues and my ABS is working as it should....And to those naysayers about causing the ABS to pulse, it doesn't take a dangerous stop or crazy braking....
The thing is though, especially for folks with newer bikes, doing it that way does not create a record of it being done properly. That can give the MoCo an out on making repairs/warranty work if it ever comes to that. With ABS parts costing what they do that could be significant.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 198
From: Ill Annoy
I've said it before and will say it again. To me it feels like a Magnuson-Moss Act violation for the manufacturer to lock a customer into using their services only, in order to properly maintain the vehicle after the sale. I wish there were some lawyers on here. Probably in the Rushmore or M8 sub-forums lol
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
You can buy one of these...
http://www.daytona-twintec.com/Twin_Scan2.html
Then service a few friend's brakes and make your money back in a short time.
http://www.daytona-twintec.com/Twin_Scan2.html
Then service a few friend's brakes and make your money back in a short time.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,065
Likes: 5,320
ABS Brake Bleeding Functions
ABS brake bleeding functions are only available on Twin Scan II ABS units with version 3.0 or higher firmware that supports the special codes used for ABS brake bleeding. If you attempt to use the ABS brake bleeding functions with older Twin Scan II units, an error message will be displayed. Older Twin Scan II units can be upgraded.
ABS brake bleeding should only be performed by a trained and experienced mechanic. Individual front and rear ABS brake bleeding functions are available. If you are only servicing the front or rear brake section, you do not need to bleed the opposite section.
ABS brake bleeding functions are only available on Twin Scan II ABS units with version 3.0 or higher firmware that supports the special codes used for ABS brake bleeding. If you attempt to use the ABS brake bleeding functions with older Twin Scan II units, an error message will be displayed. Older Twin Scan II units can be upgraded.
ABS brake bleeding should only be performed by a trained and experienced mechanic. Individual front and rear ABS brake bleeding functions are available. If you are only servicing the front or rear brake section, you do not need to bleed the opposite section.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 90
Likes: 14
From: Prescott, AZ
I've said it before and will say it again. To me it feels like a Magnuson-Moss Act violation for the manufacturer to lock a customer into using their services only, in order to properly maintain the vehicle after the sale. I wish there were some lawyers on here. Probably in the Rushmore or M8 sub-forums lol
OP here:
The last paragraph of the recent mailer states "We strongly recommend that you visit your authorized HD dealer to have your brake fluid changed right away..."
The strategically placed word "recommend" gets them out of the target zone for a M-M Act claim. They cleverly insert "right away" for the over-the-top scare tactic approach-still all above board though as "right away" is not an exact definitive of time.
My concerns for having the dealer perform the work have been voiced by others: I don't want the LOF "mechanic" with skull rings on every finger, who hates his job, working on my bike. I'm fairly certain that the Master Tech. who rebuilds engines and transmissions will not be assigned to the "brake flush" job.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,850
Likes: 220
From: Sacramento, CA.
If you do a conventional brake bleed you are not doing a thorough brake bleed. You're only swapping out fluid in the master cylinder, the caliper, and one line. You're not changing the fluid in the ABS system. The pump, accumulator, and several valves and some line will have the old fluid in it. Harley could argue that you did not do a thorough flush, should you experience ABS failure.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,055
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
Do an ABS stop followed by a second bleed. This is not a complicated procedure.
When I worked at the Ford dealer and we had an older ABS equipped car come in that required a brake bleed we took the car or truck into the gravel lot and did exactly that. Reason was the Star II tester (from the 80's) needed for the job was broken and no longer supported by Ford. The new IDS that could do amazing things couldn't bleed an archaic system. So a 1, 2 3 or 4 channel brake bleed on an ABS equipped car wasn't rocket science and a Harley system is not different than a car system. The Harley is a 2 channel system for obvious reasons. And no Im not suggesting you take your bike onto a gravel lot, we know it doesn't take much to activate the bikes abs on a washboard road.
When I worked at the Ford dealer and we had an older ABS equipped car come in that required a brake bleed we took the car or truck into the gravel lot and did exactly that. Reason was the Star II tester (from the 80's) needed for the job was broken and no longer supported by Ford. The new IDS that could do amazing things couldn't bleed an archaic system. So a 1, 2 3 or 4 channel brake bleed on an ABS equipped car wasn't rocket science and a Harley system is not different than a car system. The Harley is a 2 channel system for obvious reasons. And no Im not suggesting you take your bike onto a gravel lot, we know it doesn't take much to activate the bikes abs on a washboard road.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 246
From: Columbia SC
I just changed my brake fluid on my 14 RK.
Based on other posts in forums and keeping in mind the ABS system on the bike I used a vacuum pump for the first time and ...
OH MY GOD ... it works great. If I only had known this method a few decades ago
)
Bought a brake bleed vacuum pump from Harbor Freight, man, bleeding and changing brake fluid has never been so easy and you dont need two people.
Actually, it was fun. Worked fantastic, just be sure to keep filling the new brake fluid as you vacuum the old stuff out the bleeders.
(im not sure why people worry about warranty issues and what Harley thinks if you do it yourself, this has been an endless topic since the invention of warranties in any motor vehicle, like ANY motor company, they are in business to get you into their shop to make money, if you want to do it yourself, do it! gosh, the BS that Harley or any company can argue something means nothing, you can argue all you want but there will never be proof, something still needed in the USA, bottom line ALL manufactures like to add doubt and mystery to service because THEY WANT YOUR MONEY TO DO THE SERVICE, its no big deal, if you bled brakes before, just do it, this whole warranty crap gets brought up every time about every bike maker in every forum, its all crap)
Based on other posts in forums and keeping in mind the ABS system on the bike I used a vacuum pump for the first time and ...
OH MY GOD ... it works great. If I only had known this method a few decades ago
)Bought a brake bleed vacuum pump from Harbor Freight, man, bleeding and changing brake fluid has never been so easy and you dont need two people.
Actually, it was fun. Worked fantastic, just be sure to keep filling the new brake fluid as you vacuum the old stuff out the bleeders.
(im not sure why people worry about warranty issues and what Harley thinks if you do it yourself, this has been an endless topic since the invention of warranties in any motor vehicle, like ANY motor company, they are in business to get you into their shop to make money, if you want to do it yourself, do it! gosh, the BS that Harley or any company can argue something means nothing, you can argue all you want but there will never be proof, something still needed in the USA, bottom line ALL manufactures like to add doubt and mystery to service because THEY WANT YOUR MONEY TO DO THE SERVICE, its no big deal, if you bled brakes before, just do it, this whole warranty crap gets brought up every time about every bike maker in every forum, its all crap)
Last edited by alarmdoug; Jun 21, 2017 at 07:05 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
.....Be forewarned that a vacuum pump will not pull the old fluid from the ABS unit. It also will introduce air into the system very easily since the seals in the master cylinders are a cup seal. They exert tremendous pressure toward the calipers and seal harder as pressure presses the cup outward into the cylinder wall. Pulling a vacuum the other way pulls small amounts of air under the cup unless the vacuum is kept very low. This air even in small amounts is a major source of oxygen that hastens corrosion.It could be that if not done correctly, it would be better off just leaving the system alone. Especially pumping an old system with the lever. That puts the cup seal into areas that have never been touched and have corrosion in them and it destroys the master cylinder. Especially in dual master car cylinders. In a car, attach a pressure bleeder to the top of the master and push new fluid in. Then it's a simple matter to fire the ABS in a safe area. No so with a bike without some risks.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jun 21, 2017 at 07:16 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
I just changed my brake fluid on my 14 RK.
Based on other posts in forums and keeping in mind the ABS system on the bike I used a vacuum pump for the first time and ...
OH MY GOD ... it works great. If I only had known this method a few decades ago)
Bought a brake bleed vacuum pump from Harbor Freight, man, bleeding and changing brake fluid has never been so easy and you dont need two people.
Actually, it was fun. Worked fantastic, just be sure to keep filling the new brake fluid as you vacuum the old stuff out the bleeders.
(im not sure why people worry about warranty issues and what Harley thinks if you do it yourself, this has been an endless topic since the invention of warranties in any motor vehicle, like ANY motor company, they are in business to get you into their shop to make money, if you want to do it yourself, do it! gosh, the BS that Harley or any company can argue something means nothing, you can argue all you want but there will never be proof, something still needed in the USA, bottom line ALL manufactures like to add doubt and mystery to service because THEY WANT YOUR MONEY TO DO THE SERVICE, its no big deal, if you bled brakes before, just do it, this whole warranty crap gets brought up every time about every bike maker in every forum, its all crap)
Based on other posts in forums and keeping in mind the ABS system on the bike I used a vacuum pump for the first time and ...
OH MY GOD ... it works great. If I only had known this method a few decades ago
)Bought a brake bleed vacuum pump from Harbor Freight, man, bleeding and changing brake fluid has never been so easy and you dont need two people.
Actually, it was fun. Worked fantastic, just be sure to keep filling the new brake fluid as you vacuum the old stuff out the bleeders.
(im not sure why people worry about warranty issues and what Harley thinks if you do it yourself, this has been an endless topic since the invention of warranties in any motor vehicle, like ANY motor company, they are in business to get you into their shop to make money, if you want to do it yourself, do it! gosh, the BS that Harley or any company can argue something means nothing, you can argue all you want but there will never be proof, something still needed in the USA, bottom line ALL manufactures like to add doubt and mystery to service because THEY WANT YOUR MONEY TO DO THE SERVICE, its no big deal, if you bled brakes before, just do it, this whole warranty crap gets brought up every time about every bike maker in every forum, its all crap)
The mity vac makes it so easy, I flush the brakes on all my vehicles easily, whenever I wish. Also beats the heck out of long stroking the master cylinder plunger, which can lead to problems on older systems that may have a ridge developed in the cylinder bore that leads to issues. Lots of auto parts stores sell brake shoes to folks knowing that many of them come back later saying "I just replaced my brakes, and now my master cylinder has went out". Often contributed to the method used to bleed the brakes, ramming the pedal to the floor on older systems...
Yep, live and learn...