mushy front brakes
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Dover DE
mushy front brakes
The front brakes on my 01 Ultra are and have been mushy since I've had the bike. I've bleed them several times and gotten no air out of the system and had no improvement in braking. In short...The brakes suck.
Re'
Re'
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga, Tennessee
This will fix them... I guarantee it. Take off one caliper at a time, double over a piece of cardboard from a box and slide it between the pads on the caliper that is off. Now pump the heck out of the brake lever until it pumps up tight. Purchase a can of spray brake cleaner from an auto parts store.. Now spray the caliper pistons down real well cleaning off all brake dust and grime.. Now pull out the cardboard and either using a large screwdriver or puddy knife between the pads spread them until the pistons you just cleaned are fully retracted into the bore. Re-install it and torque the bolts 28 - 38 ft lbs. Now do the other side exactly the same way. After both are installed pump up the brake, you are going to be amazed at the differance. Use Dot 5 fluid in that 2001 bike. You don't need the Dot 4.
Let me know how this turns out. I fix a lot of them with this method and my customers can't beleive it.
Stroker
Let me know how this turns out. I fix a lot of them with this method and my customers can't beleive it.
Stroker
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 4
This will fix them... I guarantee it. Take off one caliper at a time, double over a piece of cardboard from a box and slide it between the pads on the caliper that is off. Now pump the heck out of the brake lever until it pumps up tight. Purchase a can of spray brake cleaner from an auto parts store.. Now spray the caliper pistons down real well cleaning off all brake dust and grime.. Now pull out the cardboard and either using a large screwdriver or puddy knife between the pads spread them until the pistons you just cleaned are fully retracted into the bore. Re-install it and torque the bolts 28 - 38 ft lbs. Now do the other side exactly the same way. After both are installed pump up the brake, you are going to be amazed at the differance. Use Dot 5 fluid in that 2001 bike. You don't need the Dot 4.
Let me know how this turns out. I fix a lot of them with this method and my customers can't beleive it.
Stroker
Let me know how this turns out. I fix a lot of them with this method and my customers can't beleive it.
Stroker
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
The procedure described above is intended to clean the caliper pistons. They accumulate brake dust over time which causes them to stick in their bores requiring more and more lever pressure to make them move--that's the mushy sensation and excessive brake lever travel you are experiencing. You can also find essentially the same cleaning procedure at this link from Lyndal Racing Brakes' website:
http://www.lyndallracingbrakes.com/service_tech.htm
I've used the procedure myself after a tech at my local HD store told me about it--the change in lever feel and travel was "miraculous" IMO.
Good luck with your project.
http://www.lyndallracingbrakes.com/service_tech.htm
I've used the procedure myself after a tech at my local HD store told me about it--the change in lever feel and travel was "miraculous" IMO.
Good luck with your project.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Kingman Arizona
Did the exact repair recommended and it fixed mine. Rode for a year with a crap lever now have to worry about grabbing too much. As I extended the pistons out only two wanted to move so I had to mess with it quite a bit but after cleaning and forcing all the way bike they are awesome. By the way my first guess was the master and re-building that didn't do s$%t. 
I have!!!
I have!!!
Trending Topics
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, North Carolina
Not only is the proceedure on the Lyndall Racing Brakes great. You should consider changing the pads to their Z+ or Golds. Since I switched to Paul's product I will never use anything else! The customer service is outstanding.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
