When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
When I took my 09 SG in for inspection the tech told me I was borderline on my brake pads. So I ordered a new set. I was kinda surprised how thin the new pads are.
My question is this. When you take out the old pads can you just push the pistons back in with your fingers? Do I need to remove the master cylinder lid to make room for the brake fluid? I watched a You-Tube video and the guy just pushed them in with his fingers. I don't want brake fluid all over the place...
Yes, take your master cylinder cover off or you wont' be able to compress the brake piston. Wrap a rag around it and you should be able to then compress the piston with your thumb.
Last edited by Ace07FXDL; Sep 8, 2012 at 06:59 AM.
I just stick a small screwdriver in and gently push the pistons back in before i remove the calipers never had fluid leak and most important thing is to remember to pull the little spring clip out.
I have replaced brake pads on multple Harley's and never once did I remove the master cylinder lid/top. This is not required and caliper piston's will retract with ease.
I like to clean my pistons with a soft brush or toothbrush and brake cleaners before i push them back in... i use the old pad and a brake piston compressor. Make sure you lubricate your caliper pins
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.