Brakes something ain't right....

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Jul 7, 2011 | 01:51 AM

#21

03dragonRK

Road Master

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 771

Likes: 3

From: St. Bonifacius, MN

It's a pain, but you should clear the pistons in the caliber. Howard has a great write up on this under DIY at his web site motorcycle metal. Then replace the brake fluid (this should be done eyery two years) and see if that fixes your problem.
The groves in the rotor may have been caused by your old pads although your machanic should have told you about it. Are the groves deep, or can you just feel them? If deep I would replace the rotor and sand the pads down to remove any groves that the rotor caused. 50 grit paper on a flat surface works well for that (wear a dust mask).

Jul 7, 2011 | 02:05 AM

#22

Guntoter

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 2,216

Likes: 102

From: Central Illinois

I am going to throw out a different theory here: you are just plain using too much rear brake in a fast stop. Secret to application of the rear brake on an Electra Glide type bike is to just rest your toes on the rear brake lever pad and apply the front brake, when the bike dips and your body shifts forward your foot will automatically push the rear brake. You need very little of the rear brake to stop with. Since you only had the problem when reacting to stopped traffic in front of you I think it was too much rear being applied.

Jul 7, 2011 | 02:24 AM

#23

03dragonRK

Road Master

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 771

Likes: 3

From: St. Bonifacius, MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guntoter

Would agree if he was locking them up and then releasing, but he is describing the brakes as locking and releasing on their own. Of course if he is pumping the rear brake that could do it as I found it very easy to lock up the rear on my 03 RK.

Jul 7, 2011 | 10:29 AM

#24

MyFirstHD

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 811

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From: Inverness, FL

If you haven't taken the rear caliper appart that is a good suggestion. My bike was eating pads and not stopping well until I tore the caliper appart, cleaned it, added fresh fluid and bled the brakes.

Jul 7, 2011 | 11:13 AM

#25

jjpish

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 730

Likes: 1

From: Maryland

Thanks I am running over to the HD shop today and getting a print out of what they did in March. I appreciate the suggestions and need to figure this out.

I would like to think that I am just breaking too hard in traffic but I have 56,000 miles on my bike and find it hard to believe that in the last two weeks I started breaking too hard...

Jul 7, 2011 | 12:30 PM

#26

Notgrownup

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 24,709

Likes: 9,209

From: Snow Hill, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjpish

I would think it's mechanical somehow...bad pins, dirty caliper, air in system etc....

Jul 7, 2011 | 04:17 PM

#27

RHillbilly

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 1,446

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From: greenwood, mo

sounds like fluid is getting hot with the traffic

Jul 7, 2011 | 05:12 PM

#28

dstrat1

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 228

Likes: 1

I am assiming that by chirp you mean the back wheel was starting to slide...My guess would be that in a stress full stop situation you were probably on the front brake hard enough to lighten the back, which without abs would allow the back to lock up sooner.....