Changing Brake Line... ABS ?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 22
From: Fort Pierce, Florida
Changing Brake Line... ABS ?
I'm getting ready to install apes on my 12 Street Glide. I will also be changing the upper and lower brake lines.... I'm worried about getting air in the ABS unit. I need a little help here. Does anyone know how to change upper and lower lines. I have searched, but everything is about upper only. If I was to accidentally get air in the line, could I still ride the bike to the dealer and have them put it on the DT system to bleed it?
I think I could change the upper lines first... Reverse bleed the lines until the reservoir is full...flicking the upper lines as I do this. Then change the lower line and vacuum the lower lines until fluid comes out without bubbles.... Let me know what you think.
thanks in advance.
I think I could change the upper lines first... Reverse bleed the lines until the reservoir is full...flicking the upper lines as I do this. Then change the lower line and vacuum the lower lines until fluid comes out without bubbles.... Let me know what you think.
thanks in advance.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
No ABS would be far less of a concern than very mushy brakes, but that said I would do exactly as you plan
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,158
Likes: 18,078
From: san diego
Ya know I keep reading all this about having to bleed with the DT at the dealer. and I know car abs is slightly different, and while the manufacturer says to bleed system with scanner attached, we all have learned that it bleeds perfectly without using scanner and mercedes says you dont even have to use one just bleed as normal. we use a brake bleeder which puts pressure on the reservoir but we just bleed it even when replacing the hydro unit. ( abs pump/module) in fact just did another one yesterday. I wonder if the harley one will work the same way. In my mind it should. if anybody wants to try to bleed it the normal way, even after getting some air in, the worst that can happen is it goes to dealer anyway. but as long as you get a good pedal/lever pressure and no light (abs light), it should be just fine. I'm getting ready to put chrome calipers on in a month or so, I'll try it myself them, but if anybody else wants to find out, try it, you can't ruin anything and just don't ride it if brakes are soft
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 501
Likes: 2
From: Downtown Chicago
I am going to try the above as harleycharley1992 describes. I have a motive bleeder that I used on my race cars with ABS. Can imagine pushing fluid thru the system will not do the trick. got to look at the ABS module to see if I need to crack the lines to let the air out.
On the Porsche racers, I just bled the systems of air and it was good to go. Will be doing the bleed next weekend and will report back.
On the Porsche racers, I just bled the systems of air and it was good to go. Will be doing the bleed next weekend and will report back.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 19
From: Cypress, TX
Your plan should be fine. One line at a time and don't get air into the ABS module and you should be golden. Worst case take it in and let dealer hook it up to the Digital tech.
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Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,158
Likes: 18,078
From: san diego
on benz you just push the fluid thru. it will fill the chambers inside the hydro unit. I sure don't know if the harley one will or not but abs is abs, as far as the hydro unit works. I think you should be able to push it all the way to caliper give it a try
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Minnesota
If you get air in the system get the air out with a bleeder just as you would with non-ABS. Your brakes will work safely. The only thing that might not work in the ABS function. They will still stop you as well as the millions of bikes on the road without ABS.
You can ride your bike to the dealer to check the functioning of the ABS via the DT.
This is from the service manual:
You can ride your bike to the dealer to check the functioning of the ABS via the DT.
This is from the service manual:
If motorcycle is ABS equipped, and either the ABS module or more than one brake line was removed, confirm that brake system is properly connected. To accomplish this, connect motorcycle to DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (Part No. HD-48650) and perform "ABS Service" procedure in the "Toolbox" menu.