Brake Issues far from home.. HELP PLEASE!

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 6, 2014 | 05:45 PM

#11

notdrphildrmike

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 31

Likes: 0

From: Newtown Square, PA

Calipers were off to change the front and back tires only today SR. Tim,were you ab le to do this with the calipers on or did you have to tak ethem off again?

Jul 6, 2014 | 05:46 PM

#12

Tim_Sr

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 150

Likes: 0

From: Indiana

I took them off it wasnt that hard to do and it was fairly quick

Jul 6, 2014 | 05:49 PM

#13

Tim_Sr

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 150

Likes: 0

From: Indiana

When I originally put them back on after the tire change I seen the calipers moving but they weren't moving enough to do the job after the good cleaning they worked alot better

Jul 6, 2014 | 06:03 PM

#14

SR90

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 469

Likes: 3

From: Arizona

Your first post indicated you had to pump the brakes for them to be firm, that would be air in the lines. Maybe the bleeder screws are allowing air back in. I put Teflon tape on mine, but I had the entire caliper off for a rebuild at the time. Otherwise, as Tim found, the pistons just aren't moving enough. The pistons in my rear caliper were so dirty they were jammed at an angle. Had to used pliers to remove them. Hence, new rebuild kit with pistons and seals. Been meaning to rebuild the fronts too, but I think they'll just need seals and a good flush.

Jul 6, 2014 | 09:33 PM

#15

bigdumbnoitall00

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 8,341

Likes: 714

wonder if a warped rotor when rolling could push the pistons too far back,then have to pump to get em back out?

Jul 6, 2014 | 11:05 PM

#16

Potato_Potato

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 2,600

Likes: 7

From: Minnesota

I would re-bleed and service the calipers per Lyndall's tech page.
http://www.lyndallbrakes.com/service-tech/

Jul 6, 2014 | 11:12 PM

#17

dochawken

Road Master

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 992

Likes: 2

From: TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by notdrphildrmike

Hey Guys and Gals,
So I'm at a friends house about 50 miles from home. We took apart the front and rear wheels and replaced the tires. Checked the brakes and everything was good except the fluid. Bled the brakes. Now, if I pump the brakes I get a really good grip however as soon as I begin moving I lose all braking ability in front and sometimes rear. Do you think we just need to bleed more? I cant keep the bike here as I need to get home and it's my daily driver. Help!!! If you can...

Thanks for your time!

You have air in the lines...do you use a speed bleeder? If you can buy a 50 cc syringe at a farm supply store , suck the fluid from res to caliper...it will eliminate any air.

Jul 6, 2014 | 11:15 PM

#18

Fishrrman

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 1,510

Likes: 23

From: Connecticut

Check the rotors for warping.

Under normal operating conditions, the pads (when released) are very close to the rotors. Applying the brakes doesn't move them all that much.

BUT -- even with a small amount of "warpage" in the rotors, the sideways movement is enough to "push back" the pads/pistons so that the "first pull" of the lever/pedal ends up being a "much greater movement" to get the pads up against the rotors. Thus, "pumping" the brake will result in a usable brake, but that first pull seems to "get you next to nothing".

HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Verdad Gallardo

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Verdad Gallardo

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Verdad Gallardo

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Verdad Gallardo

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Verdad Gallardo

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Verdad Gallardo

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Verdad Gallardo

Jul 7, 2014 | 06:02 AM

#19

Assegai

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 5,092

Likes: 2

From: Wenatchee, WA

the principle of hydraulics is a liquid can't be compressed. Gas (air) can be. Air is the bane of hydraulic brakes. If u don't have brake fluid pissing all over the floor then I'd say u have air in ur lines. Might be ur procedure is questionable.