Screwy Front Brakes
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 613
Likes: 75
From: Marietta, GA
Screwy Front Brakes
I need some opinions before I take this in to the professionals
I have a 2012 FLHP with ABS. Swapped out the front wheel for a 21" Paughco and the front brake as been screwy ever since. I know there's ABS issues with the different diameter but I don't know if this is an ABS issue. The wheel came with an ABS bearing pre-installed. I've also since had the whole system flushed and new brake fluid put in by Harley. The front brake pulsation I'm getting feels a little ABS'y but a lot of times I'm not able to even squeeze the handle in to brake. Feels like it's pushing itself back out sometimes. Brakes weren't linked in 12 so that's not the problem. The right rotor seems to be VERY SLIGHTLY warped, so I'm leaning towards that. I pulled the calipers and spun the wheel and can see a slight wobble but nothing like I've seen people describe in any youtube vids on the matter. I mean, I've gotta eagle-eye it to see the wobble. How much warp is too much warp?
So my current thoughts are maybe rotors, ABS module, master cylinder, or new improved ABS bearing. I just can't figure out why the lever wants to push back out at me
I have a 2012 FLHP with ABS. Swapped out the front wheel for a 21" Paughco and the front brake as been screwy ever since. I know there's ABS issues with the different diameter but I don't know if this is an ABS issue. The wheel came with an ABS bearing pre-installed. I've also since had the whole system flushed and new brake fluid put in by Harley. The front brake pulsation I'm getting feels a little ABS'y but a lot of times I'm not able to even squeeze the handle in to brake. Feels like it's pushing itself back out sometimes. Brakes weren't linked in 12 so that's not the problem. The right rotor seems to be VERY SLIGHTLY warped, so I'm leaning towards that. I pulled the calipers and spun the wheel and can see a slight wobble but nothing like I've seen people describe in any youtube vids on the matter. I mean, I've gotta eagle-eye it to see the wobble. How much warp is too much warp?
So my current thoughts are maybe rotors, ABS module, master cylinder, or new improved ABS bearing. I just can't figure out why the lever wants to push back out at me
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,893
From: Oklahoma
" but a lot of times I'm not able to even squeeze the handle in to brake. "
Don't know about the rest of your symptoms, but THAT sounds like the ABS hydraulic unit. Hard lever or pedal is the classic symptom. To the best of my knowledge, there is no repairing the unit, it must be replaced.
Don't know about the rest of your symptoms, but THAT sounds like the ABS hydraulic unit. Hard lever or pedal is the classic symptom. To the best of my knowledge, there is no repairing the unit, it must be replaced.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 613
Likes: 75
From: Marietta, GA
so this is an interesting development. I finally said to hell with it and took it to the dealer....explained the problem the same way and the rotor issue. They got it up on the lift and confirmed that yes I needed a new rotor. A'aight, no worries. Maybe we'll finally have success. The rotor was like 130 but the total was around 300 because of hourly rate and whatnot. Sucks because I can easily put a new rotor on in my garage but whatever, I'll pay up to have perfect brakes finally. All buttoned up and dude rides it and says it's great. I pay and ride off into the sunset....with the EXACT SAME F'ING PULSATION. I'm pissed off now. But at least I know it ain't fluid and it ain't a rotor
Next day I decide to put the stock wheel on and see how it rides with the HD bearing vs the Paughco. Now it brakes perfectly. Dammit. Just a bearing issue. So I come inside and order a 21" ABS bearing from MC Baggers as they've been highly recommended in the past. For 40 bucks it's well worth the gamble
Since it ain't gonna be here by the time I ride out of town on a trip Thursday, I decide to put the Paughco wheel back on, deal with the issue for the duration of a 1500 mile trip, and ride up to meet a friend to watch the Georgia game
And now the Paughco 21" brakes perfectly. What. In. The. Hell?
Is it possible that putting the original wheel on momentarily reset something in the system? I have no clue but I don't care. It works and I'll be riding the Natchez Trace Parkway in a few days with less fear of slamming into someone
Next day I decide to put the stock wheel on and see how it rides with the HD bearing vs the Paughco. Now it brakes perfectly. Dammit. Just a bearing issue. So I come inside and order a 21" ABS bearing from MC Baggers as they've been highly recommended in the past. For 40 bucks it's well worth the gamble
Since it ain't gonna be here by the time I ride out of town on a trip Thursday, I decide to put the Paughco wheel back on, deal with the issue for the duration of a 1500 mile trip, and ride up to meet a friend to watch the Georgia game
And now the Paughco 21" brakes perfectly. What. In. The. Hell?
Is it possible that putting the original wheel on momentarily reset something in the system? I have no clue but I don't care. It works and I'll be riding the Natchez Trace Parkway in a few days with less fear of slamming into someone
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