need advice from backyard mechanics

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Dec 6, 2018 | 09:07 PM

#11

95th 1200

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 1,045

Likes: 102

From: Waukesha, WI

On the ABS equipped models you need to use a Digital Tech to cycle the ABS unit in order to bleed the brakes.

Dec 6, 2018 | 09:54 PM

#12

TwiZted Biker

Club Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 66,125

Likes: 51,446

From: Niles Canyon Ca.

Love how the first thing every body jumps on is bleeding the brakes, alway start with the simple **** first peeps like pads then dig yourself a deeper hole....

Dec 7, 2018 | 01:18 PM

#13

QNman

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2015

Posts: 6,863

Likes: 3,727

From: St. Charles, MO

More info needed... does the pedal move? Do the calipers move when the pedal moves? Stiff pedal up high? Stiff pedal down low?

Dec 8, 2018 | 05:03 AM

#14

Joker_Hal

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 648

Likes: 2

From: North Virginia

Yes I have abs. When I press the pedal it goes all the way to the bottom with out slowing the bike. Should have included that I also tried replacing the pads.

Last edited by Joker_Hal; Dec 8, 2018 at 05:08 AM.

Dec 8, 2018 | 05:46 AM

#15

FreedomRider

Road Master

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 1,067

Likes: 339

From: Northeastern Indiana

did you replace the pads because of the problem or did the problem appear after changing the pads …

Dec 8, 2018 | 09:42 AM

#16

btsom

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 4,459

Likes: 2,894

From: Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joker_Hal

Yes I have abs. When I press the pedal it goes all the way to the bottom with out slowing the bike. Should have included that I also tried replacing the pads.

You should have included EVERYTHING about the brake system you could think of, the pedal going all the way down is a key symptom, can only be one of three things, no fluid in the reservoir (there is a leak somewhere) or a failed master cylinder (normal level of fluid but pedal goes all the way down) , or air in the system (from a leak or something YOU did). One other RARE possibility is the pedal linkage disconnected from the MC push rod.

Dec 8, 2018 | 09:45 AM

#17

Iceman24

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 25,310

Likes: 2,446

From: Eastern NE

I recommend a dealer visit...w/ABS, you don't want to go fk'ing around w/rear stopping power/capability...IMO.

Dec 8, 2018 | 10:07 AM

#18

Cogswell

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2018

Posts: 514

Likes: 263

From: Appalachia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joker_Hal

Yes I have abs. When I press the pedal it goes all the way to the bottom with out slowing the bike. Should have included that I also tried replacing the pads.

You either have air in the system or a bad master cylinder. Replace the fluid and bleed the system as a start.

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Dec 8, 2018 | 11:22 AM

#19

QNman

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2015

Posts: 6,863

Likes: 3,727

From: St. Charles, MO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joker_Hal

Yes I have abs. When I press the pedal it goes all the way to the bottom with out slowing the bike. Should have included that I also tried replacing the pads.

You're going to need a trip to the dealer then. No matter where the issue is, it's going to require a bleed and with ABS, that means a trip to the dealer to do it right.