Brake Fluid Change w/ABS
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
That would certainly prove you bought fluid but not that the ABS was flushed to their specs, IE with the tool to cycle the ABS. Thus giving them an out to blame the owner for improper maintenance.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 348
Likes: 122
From: Wichita
Why would someone spend all the extra money on ABS knowing it might be the difference in life or death, then ignore what HD says it takes to support the technology? My dealer charges $100.It will last 2 years.The thinking is just flush and all will be ok. Well its probably pretty good odds that it will be ok because the majority of us may never use ABS, but a few will wish they had done it to HD specs after realizing It didnt work when needed. I was in a toy run a month ago. We were going 2 abreast. I had ABS, my buddy next to me didnt. You know how those parades go, everyone tries to speed up then a little misstep at the front of the line, WHAM all hell breaks loose as everyone for a mile tries to react.WE were not going fast when the line slowed but fast enough to create panic. I hit my brakes ..straight slow down. My buddy next to me hit his at the same time, I could see first hand what non ABS does. His front wheel turned left in the flash of light screamed when it locked up. We were doing about 25. If it would have been any faster he would have gone down and would have spent a lot more than what ABS option and upkeep on it would have cost.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 162
Likes: 16
From: WA
Why would someone spend all the extra money on ABS knowing it might be the difference in life or death, then ignore what HD says it takes to support the technology? My dealer charges $100.It will last 2 years.The thinking is just flush and all will be ok. Well its probably pretty good odds that it will be ok because the majority of us may never use ABS, but a few will wish they had done it to HD specs after realizing It didnt work when needed. I was in a toy run a month ago. We were going 2 abreast. I had ABS, my buddy next to me didnt. You know how those parades go, everyone tries to speed up then a little misstep at the front of the line, WHAM all hell breaks loose as everyone for a mile tries to react.WE were not going fast when the line slowed but fast enough to create panic. I hit my brakes ..straight slow down. My buddy next to me hit his at the same time, I could see first hand what non ABS does. His front wheel turned left in the flash of light screamed when it locked up. We were doing about 25. If it would have been any faster he would have gone down and would have spent a lot more than what ABS option and upkeep on it would have cost.
In the meantime, I recommend flushing your ABS equipped Harley annually. The DOT 4 brake fluid specified is hygroscopic. Even worse is the fact that the gaskets on the reservoirs across pretty much all the Harleys are ridiculous sensitive to over torquing and a poor seal at best. I've flushed fluid on these bikes at 6 months that were completely dark (i.e. bikes left outside primarily).
We have a product that you can flush your ABS equipped brakes at home, exactly like the dealer does. It WILL get the old fluid out of the HCU and help prevent the "sticking" valve issue in the HCU (which by the way is a sealed/non-serviceable unit, so once it's toast it's toast).
Here to help!
Last edited by TheITMercenary; Jan 8, 2019 at 06:35 PM. Reason: Formatting
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,070
Likes: 5,321
Originally Posted by TheITMercenary
Wanted to chime in on this as I know quite a bit about this topic. The problem is much worse than just no ABS function. Unlike a "normal" (i.e. every other vehicle with ABS I've ever used or worked on) where IF the ABS system fails you still have brakes, HD bikes do NOT have braking function at all (if the HCU completely locks the valves up). What the NHTSA should be doing is requiring HD to redesign the HCU and R&R on their dime. Unfortunately either a few people will need to die and/or be forced to do this. I suspect it will never go that far, they have way better attorney's than you and I to argue to death (pun not intended) this issue.
In the meantime, I recommend flushing your ABS equipped Harley annually. The DOT 4 brake fluid specified is hygroscopic. Even worse is the fact that the gaskets on the reservoirs across pretty much all the Harleys are ridiculous sensitive to over torquing and a poor seal at best. I've flushed fluid on these bikes at 6 months that were completely dark (i.e. bikes left outside primarily).
We have a product that you can flush your ABS equipped brakes at home, exactly like the dealer does. It WILL get the old fluid out of the HCU and help prevent the "sticking" valve issue in the HCU (which by the way is a sealed/non-serviceable unit, so once it's toast it's toast).
Here to help!
In the meantime, I recommend flushing your ABS equipped Harley annually. The DOT 4 brake fluid specified is hygroscopic. Even worse is the fact that the gaskets on the reservoirs across pretty much all the Harleys are ridiculous sensitive to over torquing and a poor seal at best. I've flushed fluid on these bikes at 6 months that were completely dark (i.e. bikes left outside primarily).
We have a product that you can flush your ABS equipped brakes at home, exactly like the dealer does. It WILL get the old fluid out of the HCU and help prevent the "sticking" valve issue in the HCU (which by the way is a sealed/non-serviceable unit, so once it's toast it's toast).
Here to help!
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 162
Likes: 16
From: WA
Here to help. Give us a shout sometime.
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,070
Likes: 5,321
Originally Posted by TheITMercenary
No worries, just trying to provide info for those that may not know this. Also very happy to help people maintain their bikes with our product via spreading the word!
Here to help. Give us a shout sometime.
Here to help. Give us a shout sometime.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
Sadly, it will probably take death and litigation before the facts are laid out that the problem was in design and materials used. Some degree of moisture should be expected in a hygroscopic solution, the use of materials that react adversely to such conditions should be avoided, and for ABS module failure to result in total and complete loss of braking is not common among other manufacturers and is completely unacceptable.