2003 FLHRCI - two issues, need some guidance
2003 FLHRCI - two issues, need some guidance
OK, so as the subject says.
Issue 1: Front brake has a lot of travel before it bites. This has been a change in the last 3K miles or so. It grabs, does not need pumping, fluid reservoir is full, fresh fluid and bleed when I changed the bars out. Pad time or something else?
Issue 2: Barnett braided lines when I put the bars on. Cruise control worked perfect for a couple thousand miles. Now, it won't turn off via rolling off the throttle. Both brakes and clutch pull turn it off no prob. Used to be, I'd roll off the throttle, feel a little "click" and it would turn off. Now, I roll off the throttle, don't get a click, and cruise stays on. I thought about really giving the throttle a hard twist and forcing it, but that just doesn't seem like a good idea, especially at 50+ MPH. If feels like whatever releases when you roll off, isn't releasing. Idle cable adjustment?
Thought I'd ask here before I start poking around. Any ideas?
Issue 1: Front brake has a lot of travel before it bites. This has been a change in the last 3K miles or so. It grabs, does not need pumping, fluid reservoir is full, fresh fluid and bleed when I changed the bars out. Pad time or something else?
Issue 2: Barnett braided lines when I put the bars on. Cruise control worked perfect for a couple thousand miles. Now, it won't turn off via rolling off the throttle. Both brakes and clutch pull turn it off no prob. Used to be, I'd roll off the throttle, feel a little "click" and it would turn off. Now, I roll off the throttle, don't get a click, and cruise stays on. I thought about really giving the throttle a hard twist and forcing it, but that just doesn't seem like a good idea, especially at 50+ MPH. If feels like whatever releases when you roll off, isn't releasing. Idle cable adjustment?
Thought I'd ask here before I start poking around. Any ideas?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Can't answer your cruise issue but I'll try on the front brake.
If you get excess lever movement before the brakes engage something is pushing the pads/pistons away from the rotor, then it takes that extra movement of the lever to get the pads back to the rotor.
Could be a warped rotor, thickness variations of the rotor, or significant wear grooves (peaks and valleys) in the rotor and pads.
Here's a simple test - Standing still - If you squeeze the lever, release it, and then immediately reapply, does the lever travel as far? Try that a few times and see if the brakes "pump-up" and the lever travel decreases. If the lever travel decreases, then that confirms the above diagnosis. Then you just need to figure out what is pushing the pads back. If not, then you need to dig deeper, but that's where I'd start.
Try it and report back.
If you get excess lever movement before the brakes engage something is pushing the pads/pistons away from the rotor, then it takes that extra movement of the lever to get the pads back to the rotor.
Could be a warped rotor, thickness variations of the rotor, or significant wear grooves (peaks and valleys) in the rotor and pads.
Here's a simple test - Standing still - If you squeeze the lever, release it, and then immediately reapply, does the lever travel as far? Try that a few times and see if the brakes "pump-up" and the lever travel decreases. If the lever travel decreases, then that confirms the above diagnosis. Then you just need to figure out what is pushing the pads back. If not, then you need to dig deeper, but that's where I'd start.
Try it and report back.
Thanks - ran out to the garage and tried it.
Sitting there parked, I grabbed a fist full of front brake about 1/2 dozen times in succession. Yes, same pull each time. I can almost get it back to the grip, and when riding it, it goes about 1/2 the travel distance before it grabs.
I also ran my fingers across the disks. I couldn't find anything that felt like grooves, feel real smooth but I guess I may not be able to feel them too.....
So, the theory is then, that one or both rotors have warp? But, if that were the case, and the rotors were warped, wouldn't they have to rotate to the warped spot in order to push the caliper plungers out?
Maybe I'm not getting it.....
Sitting there parked, I grabbed a fist full of front brake about 1/2 dozen times in succession. Yes, same pull each time. I can almost get it back to the grip, and when riding it, it goes about 1/2 the travel distance before it grabs.
I also ran my fingers across the disks. I couldn't find anything that felt like grooves, feel real smooth but I guess I may not be able to feel them too.....
So, the theory is then, that one or both rotors have warp? But, if that were the case, and the rotors were warped, wouldn't they have to rotate to the warped spot in order to push the caliper plungers out?
Maybe I'm not getting it.....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,006
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
If they are warped, you should feel them pulse when you apply brakes at higher speeds.
I know you said you bled them, but brakes that pull so far back before grabbing sounds like air in the system. Air compresses more than brake fluid. It may not be much air, but that's my bet....
I know you said you bled them, but brakes that pull so far back before grabbing sounds like air in the system. Air compresses more than brake fluid. It may not be much air, but that's my bet....
Hmmm.... just found this on the other board: http://www.****************/forums/h...er-travel.html
Ah, well - never mind then.
Basically, there was a thread over on "the other website that talks about 2 cylinder motorcycles a lot" that was discussing excessive front brake travel on 2003 touring bikes. It seems, there are two general thoughts:
- dirty calipers
- mfg defect in the stock m/c
Ah, well - never mind then.
Basically, there was a thread over on "the other website that talks about 2 cylinder motorcycles a lot" that was discussing excessive front brake travel on 2003 touring bikes. It seems, there are two general thoughts:
- dirty calipers
- mfg defect in the stock m/c
Last edited by TurkeyRun; Mar 29, 2012 at 08:04 PM. Reason: link got whacked
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,618
Likes: 290
From: Johnstown, PA
Thanks - ran out to the garage and tried it.
Sitting there parked, I grabbed a fist full of front brake about 1/2 dozen times in succession. Yes, same pull each time. I can almost get it back to the grip, and when riding it, it goes about 1/2 the travel distance before it grabs.
I also ran my fingers across the disks. I couldn't find anything that felt like grooves, feel real smooth but I guess I may not be able to feel them too.....
So, the theory is then, that one or both rotors have warp? But, if that were the case, and the rotors were warped, wouldn't they have to rotate to the warped spot in order to push the caliper plungers out?
Maybe I'm not getting it.....
Sitting there parked, I grabbed a fist full of front brake about 1/2 dozen times in succession. Yes, same pull each time. I can almost get it back to the grip, and when riding it, it goes about 1/2 the travel distance before it grabs.
I also ran my fingers across the disks. I couldn't find anything that felt like grooves, feel real smooth but I guess I may not be able to feel them too.....
So, the theory is then, that one or both rotors have warp? But, if that were the case, and the rotors were warped, wouldn't they have to rotate to the warped spot in order to push the caliper plungers out?
Maybe I'm not getting it.....
When the wheel is not aligned it will have a slight wobble, you may not even be able to feel it, but it is pushing your pads in some.
Did you have your front wheel off lately? If so it may not be lined up. The same exact thing happened to me. Follow the procedures in the manual to line up your wheel. Fixed my problem.
When the wheel is not aligned it will have a slight wobble, you may not even be able to feel it, but it is pushing your pads in some.
When the wheel is not aligned it will have a slight wobble, you may not even be able to feel it, but it is pushing your pads in some.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 20
From: Indy
Clean the calipers , the pistons get dirty and won't move as free, then the lever will travel a long ways, I put a set of well worn pads between the pistons pull the lever a bit , and hose it out with brake clean,then put it back together, seems to fix it for me.
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Anyone want to take a swing at the cruise control part?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 20
From: Indy
Oh with the cruise the roll off switch may have came unplugged , or it may have failed.
There is a way to test it but I do not remember how, but if you search for it , you will probably find it.
There is a way to test it but I do not remember how, but if you search for it , you will probably find it.