Rear Brake question
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 1
From: Oz
Rear Brake question
I posted this question in the Tech forum, but it didn't get any love
I have an 09 ultra w/o abs, the rear brake is soft on the first pump then firms up. I have bled the rear brakes, and I'm still having the issue?
I did bleed the brakes with the bike level and the rear brake reservoir has fluid.
Ideas??
I have an 09 ultra w/o abs, the rear brake is soft on the first pump then firms up. I have bled the rear brakes, and I'm still having the issue?
I did bleed the brakes with the bike level and the rear brake reservoir has fluid.
Ideas??
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 428
Likes: 35
From: Calgary Alberta Canada
Was fluid level down when you bled brakes? Did you work on the brake and then had issues or you noticed it was spongy and wanted to bleed brakes. Do you live in very mountainous/hot area ? (Reason I ask is we ran into this problem after riding through desert to Grand Canyon and then up the mountains in Colorado?). When you bled them did air quit coming out or did lever ever get hard ? If level was down check around all banjo fittings for signs of leakage and brake caliper area as well. Sometimes bleeding can take a lot longer then you would think. Also make sure you keep adding fluid and never let reservoir run down to low as you will have to start again.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 1
From: Oz
I live in KS, so it is relatively flat in our area. I bought the bike knowing it had this problem. I put new wheels/rotors on it (which were used off a 2014 SGS), so I don't think the rotor is the issue?? But maybe I need to investigate this further.
Fluid was full the entire time, and never let it run down. I have inspected around the all fittings front to rear and around the reservoir shows no signs of leakage/seeping. That is why it left me scratching my head.
The first pump of the brake is very soft, then the second it fine. If you rotate the back tire 1/4 turn, then the scenario starts over again.
Fluid was full the entire time, and never let it run down. I have inspected around the all fittings front to rear and around the reservoir shows no signs of leakage/seeping. That is why it left me scratching my head.
The first pump of the brake is very soft, then the second it fine. If you rotate the back tire 1/4 turn, then the scenario starts over again.
Last edited by white01ss; Mar 17, 2014 at 02:57 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 601
Likes: 5
From: Pinellas County, Florida
try pumping it up and gently crack open the banjo bolts, front, then rear sometimes a air bubble is trapped in there.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,186
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From: USA
Use a mirror, and listen closely. I suspect you'll detect the pads moving in the caliper, which they shouldn't be. That forts push is taking that up.
Warped rotor is a possibility, but don't discount dirty caliper pistons sticking or an unevenly worn pad set.
Warped rotor is a possibility, but don't discount dirty caliper pistons sticking or an unevenly worn pad set.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Some good tips above. Bleeding brakes can sometimes be a chore. I recently installed a new calliper and brake line and the darned thing was hard as nails in a few strokes, but on other occasions I have also had problems. The rear caliper and master cylinder are on a similar level and the line is also level, so unlike the front brake, Nature doesn't lend any help.
If the rotor is OK you have air in the system, despite your best efforts. There is a Sticky on bleeding brakes in the Tech Brakes forum, which may help.