Changing upper brake line help
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 42
From: Bossier City, LA
Changing upper brake line help
I'm installing a set of bars on a road king and have to change the upper brake line due to the height of the new bars. I've read about some concerns bleeding the brakes with the ABS and getting air inside of the ABS unit. I was planning to bleed the system dry before I removed the line to prevent getting brake fluid all over his nice paint. The line runs into the ABS unit and then to the calipers. If I bleed the system down before removing the line then obviously there will be air in the ABS. I'm planning to reverse bleed the system to refill the fluid. Anyone have any opinions or tips on this?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Im surprised no ones answered your thread......I just did that with my wifes bike and as long as you dont turn the key to power the ABS unit during the bleed it wont know the difference. It cant be any easier.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
I am swapping out my stock bars with a set of 12" KST mayhems (wiring is a nightmare). I am looking to just replace the upper brake line rather than the whole brake system as all i am doing is adding height to the bars. Is this possible or do i have to replace the whole system. I am getting conflicting stories from the shop. So i figured i would come here to ask. I have a 2013 Street Glide.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
I am swapping out my stock bars with a set of 12" KST mayhems (wiring is a nightmare). I am looking to just replace the upper brake line rather than the whole brake system as all i am doing is adding height to the bars. Is this possible or do i have to replace the whole system. I am getting conflicting stories from the shop. So i figured i would come here to ask. I have a 2013 Street Glide.
2010 Limited with some stuff
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
I just did bars on my '14 King. removed line from the MC, lowered it to the ground and let it drain. removed the puzzle block end of that hose from the ABS module, did not drip a drop. Installed new line. connected a Syringe filled with dot 4 and plastic hose to one front brake caliper, open caliper bleeder and flick the plastic tube with my finger and watch any air bubble float up the tube. once the tube is free of bubbles I open the MC cover, have wife watch MC as I depress the syringe, see bubbles, see no more bubbles and were done. close bleeder, put MC cover back on. No rags, no towels , no mess, no air inside ABS module, no trouble codes. have a nice day!
Last edited by sixguns; Oct 16, 2014 at 12:54 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From: Texas
It wasn't that difficult to replace mine on my 13 Ultra Limited.
Remove the ABS fuse to be safe.
Leave the MC cover on and disconnect the line from the HCU and MC. Use some rags to be safe and cleanup any spills. There was very little on mine.
Connect the new line to the MC and put the HCU end of the line into a container.
Remove the MC cover and the fluid will flow into the line. Be ready to add fluid to the MC so that you don't completely empty the reservoir. You can put the cover back on to stop the flow. This is probably a 2 person job. My wife helped me.
Put the MC cover back on once fluid is flowing out of the new line and then connect the line to the HCU. Make sure the HCU is topped off before connecting. Just shine a light into the fitting to check.
Once everything is connected and clean remove the MC cover and start flicking the lever slowly to remove air. This took me about 15 minutes over a couple of hours. I would flick a while and then come back and flick some more. It helps if you familiarize yourself with how the lever feels when squeezed with the bike off in the garage before you start.
HTH,
Dave
Remove the ABS fuse to be safe.
Leave the MC cover on and disconnect the line from the HCU and MC. Use some rags to be safe and cleanup any spills. There was very little on mine.
Connect the new line to the MC and put the HCU end of the line into a container.
Remove the MC cover and the fluid will flow into the line. Be ready to add fluid to the MC so that you don't completely empty the reservoir. You can put the cover back on to stop the flow. This is probably a 2 person job. My wife helped me.
Put the MC cover back on once fluid is flowing out of the new line and then connect the line to the HCU. Make sure the HCU is topped off before connecting. Just shine a light into the fitting to check.
Once everything is connected and clean remove the MC cover and start flicking the lever slowly to remove air. This took me about 15 minutes over a couple of hours. I would flick a while and then come back and flick some more. It helps if you familiarize yourself with how the lever feels when squeezed with the bike off in the garage before you start.
HTH,
Dave
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