I changed out my front brake lines on the 2020 ultra, and noticed I now have to pump the brake two or three times for it to become firm pressure. So then I bled the lines thinking air was in the line, and still have the same issue. Now I did use dot four brake fluid which has been sitting in my garage for about two years. Could it be a brake fluid issue? I know dot four can absorb moisture if left out. Thank you all.

 

It would have been best to use fresh fluid.
You most likely have some more bleeding to do so get some fresh fluid.
Getting them bled can be troublesome sometimes
Tell us how you are bleeding the brakes so far

WP

 

Yes brake fluid is hygroscopic, the reason they say to use fresh fluid from a sealed can is because it does absorb water.

How you will find out that the fluid is indeed compromised, besides using a test strip that will indicate the presence of water, is that under hard prolonged braking, when heat transfers from the rotors and pads into the caliper, the water will boil, creating a gas, and you will be S.O.L.

I can give you the spiel about being able to compress a gas but not a liquid, etc etc etc but we'll leave that for later,

If it is "spongy" and it gets harder after multiple pumps, chances are there is air in the system.

I am a bit past my depth when it comes to HD ABS, but I know enough to run the ABS bleed/purge test after opening the system.

All you can do at this point, is tap the lines gently with a screwdriver or something and try to get any bubbles to rise. I have read that sometimes people will tie the brake lever so it is applying the brakes overnight and hope the bubble comes to the top and out.

I doubt the lack of a firm feel is due to older fluid.

 

There have been many a brake line, caliper M/cyl replace without it being necessary to purge the abs hydraulic unit.
Car Truck or Motorcycle
To flush an entire system then yes.

Respects WP

 

Please give the detailed procedure you used to bleed the brakes. Otherwise, it’s difficult to know what advice to give you. Do you have a service manual?

 

As above you probably still have air in the system. Use fresh fluid from a new container. Also anyone who does their own brake maintenance should get one of these:

 

My manual says to use DOT-5 only, but that's for a 2001/non-ABS bike.
Not sure if that's part of the problem. Likely not, as yours is a 2020, so does have ABS?...so DOT-4 should be OK.
From wiki-world;

United States

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) under FMVSS Standard No. 116[5] defines grades DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5 and DOT 5.1, where DOT refers to the U.S. Department of Transportation. These are widely used in other countries. Their classifications broadly reflect the SAE's specifications, but with local details — Alaska and the Azores for example, have different normal temperature and humidity ranges to consider. DOT 3 is equivalent to SAE J1703 and ISO class 3, DOT 4 to SAE J1704 and ISO class 4, etc.[6]

All approved fluids must be colorless or amber to be acceptable for street use in the U.S, except for DOT 5 silicone, which must be purple.[5]

DOT 4

While a vehicle that uses DOT 3 may also use DOT 4 or 5.1 (a temperature upgrade) if the elastomers in the system accept the borate compounds that raise the boiling point,[[i]citation needed] a vehicle that requires DOT 4 might boil the brake fluid if a DOT 3 (a temperature downgrade) is used. Additionally, these polyglycol-ether-based fluids cannot be mixed with DOT 5.0, which is silicone based.

DOT 5

DOT 5 is a silicone-based fluid and is separate from the series of DOT 2, 3, 4, 5.1. It is immiscible with water, and with other brake fluids, and must not be mixed with them. Systems can change fluid only after a complete system changeover, such as a total restoration.

It contains at least 70% by weight of a diorgano polysiloxane.[7] Unlike polyethylene glycol based fluids, DOT 5 is hydrophobic.[8] An advantage over other forms of brake fluid is that silicone has a more stable viscosity index over a wider temperature range. Another property is that it does not damage paint.[[i]citation needed]

DOT 5 brake fluid is not compatible with anti-lock braking systems. DOT 5 fluid can aerate when the anti-lock brake system is activated. DOT 5 brake fluid absorbs a small amount of air requiring care when bleeding the system of air.[9]

DOT 5.1

Lack of acceptance of silicone-based fluids led to the development of DOT 5.1, a fluid giving the performance advantages of silicone, whilst retaining some familiarity and compatibility with the glycol ether fluids. DOT 5.1 is the non-silicone version of DOT 5, defined by FMVSS 116 as being less than 70% silicone. Above that threshold makes it DOT 5.