HD seems to push the point of using a "Digital Tech II" when changing DOT fluid on a bike with ABS. They state in their recent mailer that it "is critical to ensure a thorough fluid flush"...
I have changed brake fluid myself on most of my cars and trucks over the years. Have not tackled the bike yet. My service manual (Touring) does not cover brake fluid changing, only bleeding-which changing fluid basically is. The manual does not specifically address ABS-at least not where I could find it.
For those in the know, with ABS, is this still a fairly simple "do it yourself" project without having the fancy HD tool?
Bike is a 2013 FLHTK.

 

Simple...easy...just as long as you don't introduce any air into the system...and if you do, bleed it out before you turn on the ignition. If you turn it on with air in the system, THEN you'll be availing yourself of the Digital Tech II!

 

I received that letter from the MOCO about changing fluid every 2 yrs. Anyway, when I did my bar swap I need to replace the line from ABS MOD to BARS and I bled the front brakes with no probs. I'll bleed front and back myself to replace fluid sometime this year and hopefully will not have a problem just like last time.

 

I changed mine this past winter on my 14. Same as always just make sure all the air is out before turning the ignition on.

 

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.

 

I don't believe this is a DIY, unless you happen to own a digitech

I just had my bike done, an 09 SG, and it was $100.

 

If that is how much HD charges to completely flush the ABS system, I'll gladly pay that. If anything does fail, it's on them.

 

Harley is being sued over brake failure due to people not changing fluid or screwing up their sorry outdated systems by attempting to service it themselves. Modern ABS cars now say you can bleed normally. Not so with Harley.

You really need to bite the bullet and have them do it. And probably pray that the mechanic doing it did not work at Micky_Ds last week.

Like the old twin-cam link chain drive valve system, Harley has once again dumped on their customers. However, this time, they are not just screwing them, they are killing them.

 

Yep, that's what the dealership charged. They even gave it a light detailing.

 

Done 3 fluid "bleed" jobs on my 2011 SG, no issues. I use speed bleeders and a pneumatic brake bleeder, which sucks the fluid out. No issues with the brakes so far.