Wheels/Tires Questions and discussion about wheels and tires should be posted here.

Front brake free play

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 30, 2009 | 08:38 PM
  #1  
t_risner10@yahoo.com's Avatar
t_risner10@yahoo.com
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default Front brake free play

I can't get the free play out of the front brake lever on my 2003 Ultra. I've bled them and also changed the fluid. The lever moves 1/2 way before brake starts working. Any suggestions?
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 12:37 AM
  #2  
car5car's Avatar
car5car
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: FL
Default

I found free play on Goldwing between lever and master cylinder pushrod. Nobody greases pushrod end. It can be the same on Harley.
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2009 | 12:47 PM
  #3  
Harleypingman's Avatar
Harleypingman
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Default

The problem is likely due to the pistons in the calipers not moving freely due to accumulated brake dust. This link shows the procedure for cleaning them. I, and others here, have done this and seen huge improvement; solves the problem for most:

http://www.lyndallracingbrakes.com/service_tech.htm
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2009 | 06:20 PM
  #4  
2003Springer's Avatar
2003Springer
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,639
Likes: 2
From: Scottsboro
Default

Is the free play stiff or very loose??
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2009 | 08:21 AM
  #5  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Default

See the soft front brake pull thread above this for some tips.
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2009 | 02:28 PM
  #6  
ajayrk's Avatar
ajayrk
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by Harleypingman
The problem is likely due to the pistons in the calipers not moving freely due to accumulated brake dust. This link shows the procedure for cleaning them. I, and others here, have done this and seen huge improvement; solves the problem for most:

http://www.lyndallracingbrakes.com/service_tech.htm



Also 2003 has a different valving in the master cylinder that causes the soft brake feel. You may consider a master cylinder up grade.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 11:04 AM
  #7  
ScReaMnEagLE22's Avatar
ScReaMnEagLE22
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 764
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Default

Its an 03, Id rebuild the master cylinder and the calipers to be on the safe side, those rebuild kits are usually pretty cheap
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
skos
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
2
Mar 28, 2020 09:58 PM
red deuce
General Harley Davidson Chat
11
Oct 11, 2016 03:07 AM
Thumper26
Sportster Models
8
Oct 28, 2015 11:17 AM
JustDave71
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
6
May 21, 2010 11:10 PM
HilllBillly
Touring Models
10
May 5, 2010 03:47 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:52 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE