ABS Issues!!!
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 244
Likes: 15
From: GA
ABS Issues!!!
I posted before concerning my hard front brake lever. Finally made it to the dealership for diagnostics even though my abs idiot light was not lit when riding. The dealership said my HCU is bad. The hydraulic control unit for the abs. My only issue was the front brakes being hard intially when I turn the ignition on. With the bike off the lever operates normally. So the HCU is $340 plus labor which comes out to about 700. Does anyone know if the HCU can be cleaned out or rebuilt? I'm also thinking about bypassing the abs for the front and run new lines? Any thoughts or suggestions on that?
TIA,
MJ
TIA,
MJ
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 2,858
From: Oklahoma
FROM WHAT I HAVE READ (I don't have an ABS bike) to replace the HCU and/or bleed the brakes requires the Harley computer to cycle the ABS system or else it doesn't get bled. As far as plumbing around the ABS, you are not the first one who has tried that and as far as I know you just have regular brakes afterward. Whatever you are "man enough to try" but without getting into a parts book, I'd bet getting the factory pre-formed lines would rival the expense of replacing the ABS dookickey.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 2,858
From: Oklahoma
From reading the OP's original thread, it sounds as if there is a hydraulic lock between the ABS unit and the front brake master cylinder. The pressure could NOT get to the front brakes. Hopefully the OP will clarify this and if my understanding is correct, he is the first I have heard to have the ABS make a brake unavailable to the rider. I would regard this failure mode as EXTREMELY hazardous. Perhaps if he had pulled the ABS fuse he would have had standard brakes again.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Spend the money and get it fixed right. Why screw around with a braking system designed to work better and be safer the non-abs bikes? Sure, it's crap now, but get it fixed and forget it.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
+1 - you want your ABS working correctly...
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 541
Likes: 3
From: Sherwood Park AB Canada
I am assuming that because you have ABS, you have a newer touring bike worth 15-20K. Brakes are the most critical pieces of safety equipment you have. I don't understand why you are concerned with spending $700 to ensure your bike if safe and the ABS brakes do what they are designed to do. We spend 10s of thousands to buy them, then thousands more pimping them out, but don't want to spend a few hundred bucks to repair the most important safety feature on the bike. Not getting it!
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 26
From: PA
$700 bucks is a lot of Jack to spend for a repair that should never be needed. Especially for an ABS system going in the ******* on a newer bike. Totally unacceptable.
I'd at least call some higher level hd official and see if something could be worked out.
a real screw job.
I'd at least call some higher level hd official and see if something could be worked out.
a real screw job.
Last edited by beammeup; Mar 5, 2013 at 09:49 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
Have you tried pulling the fuse for the abs? That should get you back to regular brakes. There is an after market kit that helps with wheel lockup for non abs bikes. I don't remember the name but a google search might help. Total cost front and rear is in the 150.00 range. On the other hand a working abs is nice to have. Hope this helps.