Bleeding ABS brakes.

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Mar 26, 2010 | 08:49 AM

chester1957

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Road Warrior

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Bleeding ABS brakes.

After reading up on the ABS brake system (thanks Shovelhead Bob), I spoke with the service writer at a local dealership. I asked him if I did a handlebar swap if I could trailer the bike in to have them bleed the system. He had to go back and ask the techs. He came back and said no problem and to bring it on in after the swap.

In my haste I forgot to ask whether I should bleed the brakes as best I can before taking it to them or just do the brake line swap and let them start the process from scratch.

Any techs know which route I should go?

Last edited by chester1957; Mar 26, 2010 at 08:50 AM. Reason: spelling

Mar 26, 2010 | 12:54 PM

dawg

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From: Vermont

You could do either. The ABS brakes bleed the same as the non-ABS, it's only that the digital technician needs to be hooked up to make sure that the ABS module has no air in it and to make sure that it's properly bled. If they are going to do, they will probably charge you the same labor amount so why not just let them do the whole bleed.

Mar 29, 2010 | 09:47 AM

chester1957

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Kinda what I was thinking, but it is nice to have a front brake when backing the bike off the lift and out of the trailer. Thanks for the reply Dawg.

Apr 1, 2010 | 07:58 PM

HDFLHX

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From: Minnesota

I bled mine myself...and then brought it in.Bled myself due to the fact I rode it in. Brakes worked fine but as I recall ABS light stayed on until reset with digi tech. I however did not test ABS function.

Apr 11, 2010 | 09:44 PM

flight

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I changed the bars on my bike with a new brake line from the abs module to the brake lever and bled the line myself. Put the line on dry and fill the master cylinder with fluid and keep flicking the brake lever and you will see air bubbles come out. This will take about 30 minutes of flicking. No ABS light or any other problems.