Brake Fluid question
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,526
Likes: 30,845
From: Pennsylvania
You can flush the fluid yourself and then take it to the dealer to cycle the ABS, then if you want to, flush the fluid again but it is not necessary.
My dealer charges 15 min labor for the ABS cycling, and that is on my Trike. Takes more time to get it into the dealer's shop and hook up the digital tech then it does for the actual ABS cycling procedure.
Of course there are those dealers who will say 1 hour minimum shop labor charge on anything, I would be looking for another dealer.
My dealer charges 15 min labor for the ABS cycling, and that is on my Trike. Takes more time to get it into the dealer's shop and hook up the digital tech then it does for the actual ABS cycling procedure.
Of course there are those dealers who will say 1 hour minimum shop labor charge on anything, I would be looking for another dealer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
I personally don't see H-D having any responsibility to make the ABS system owner-serviceable. Lots of manufacturers have components or systems which need eventual maintenance but can (typically) only be serviced by a dealer or other qualified shop with necessary software. Anybody who is dead set on servicing their own ABS with a digital tech tool has options; albeit they might be very expensive. Software changes regularly. H-D charges a dealer ruthlessly to keep their software and computers up to date....I have been told that more than once by dealership owners and managers. You or I might buy a $500 tech device only to find it's obsolete on the next bike. Or maybe it only 'marries' to one bike unless you buy another license. We all know how it works, and almost nothing is free.
Personally if a dealer told me $200 I would still pay to have it done every 2 or 3 years. Alternately, I would look into a tech device and weigh that cost vs future savings. In my case I could see no logic in tying up $500 for a tool I'd use once and forget until 2 years later....and then again. Nope...not me. Some struggles are worth it, but with brake & ABS flush happening every couple (or more) years I'm happier to pay my dealer.
Personally if a dealer told me $200 I would still pay to have it done every 2 or 3 years. Alternately, I would look into a tech device and weigh that cost vs future savings. In my case I could see no logic in tying up $500 for a tool I'd use once and forget until 2 years later....and then again. Nope...not me. Some struggles are worth it, but with brake & ABS flush happening every couple (or more) years I'm happier to pay my dealer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,518
Likes: 57,069
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
... until someone forgets where they got it from :<(
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,156
Likes: 11,244
From: San Diego, CA
Yeah, that's the reason my tools and my manuals don't leave my shop......
I've offered to help friends do work on their bikes... at my house... but nothing leaves the shop....
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 2,410
From: Jackson, OH
if you think about it, $200 over 2 years works out to $.28 per day. i do have the tool, and i 'activate' my abs with it every 5k service. i hope that by doing so, it will keep the valves in good working order. i'm still going to take the bike in to the dealer to have it done when necessary. which in the hot humid south seems to be about every year and a half. one of the steps in the periodic maintenance is to measure the amount of water in the brake fluid. once it is over 3%, time to change it. which in my case, 18 months. for $200, it's still cheap.
**********************
I owned and presided over a vehicle-intensive business for almost 30 years. ABS problems were few, but I had enough opportunities to understand the principles of how they work with hydraulic brakes. Basically: Brake application pressurizes brake fluid and this pressure forces the caliper pistons to move the fraction of an inch needed to engage the brake pad with force. Fluid is not circulating...it's simply under pressure and the amount of fluid movement is minimal. When fluid pressure increases to the point of wheel lockup, the ABS module 'pulses' (modulates rapidly) the fluid pressure to achieve enough relief that lockup is relieved and wheel rotation can happen. In a closed and pressurized brake system there is almost no fluid travel when ABS is activated by over-braking....and that's the simple truth. Riding the bike and locking up the brakes to intentionally engage the ABS module will indeed activate its internal components, but it's not known to be an effective way to actually flush existing brake fluid from the module.
I won't debate the importance of ABS module flushing or digital service for it, as everyone has their own thoughts on the matter. I do think it's important to separate fact from fiction when it comes down to how to properly flush, service and maintain ABS if that's part of your overall maintenance plan.
Last edited by StoneTrekker; Feb 24, 2023 at 06:06 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,678
Likes: 2,081
From: Massachusetts
Diag4Bike will do 21 and down.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 420
Likes: 218
From: Lowcountry
I use to flush my system out every year using a mighty-vac and never thought the tool was necessary till 3 to 4 years ago when multiple friends had their module lock up. I purchased the twin-tec ll and was reluctant to do it but I service the brake system every spring now with the twin-tec and dont regret it. The ll version has less to offer, but my 2009 is antiquated too.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,156
Likes: 11,244
From: San Diego, CA
I use to flush my system out every year using a mighty-vac and never thought the tool was necessary till 3 to 4 years ago when multiple friends had their module lock up. I purchased the twin-tec ll and was reluctant to do it but I service the brake system every spring now with the twin-tec and dont regret it. The ll version has less to offer, but my 2009 is antiquated too.
I almost bought the Twin-Tec 2 for my 2012 bagger many years ago, but held off because I knew I was looking to get a newer Rushmore bagger...
I was pleasantly surprised at the extra stuff the 4 does over the 2.....
But beware..... There was a BCM function that my 4 didn't handle. I called Twin-Tec customer service and spoke to an engineer. He said "those features" had't been added yet. I told him to read their "instructions" because they say you can do it .. He claimed they "jumped the gun" on those features and would pass on the info.... I never saw anything change in their marketing or instructions... To be fair, I haven't checked it for awhile (several years), maybe there's been a software update...
I still like my Twin-Tec 4, but if all those extra BCM and ECM configuring features are really important, I'd pay up for the TechnoResearch Centurion or Diag4Bike tools...
I haven't seen any comments about this single purpose tool. About $190.
ITM HD2 ABS Flush Utility
http://infotechmercenary.com/
ITM HD2 ABS Flush Utility
http://infotechmercenary.com/