Re: Soft Brakes - A Feature ???

 On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:40:20 -0700 (PDT), Bob La Londe



    Stealership Translation:  We don't understand the problem, care about
customer service, or have anyone that knows a wrench from a hammer, so your
problem isn't a problem.  "It's a feature"!

    No, brakes aren't supposed to be soft.  Try flushing the system
completely with new brake fluid.  Contamination can make 'em soft.  If that
doesn't work, & you can't find any leaks, you might want to rebuild the master
cylinder.
-

Jinks ('86FXRS, '07 FLTR)
#64
Remember, "No good deed goes unpunished"

 Jinks gave some good advice but  don't forget Harleys use DOT 5 fluid. Seen
too many folks use the auto stuff.


--
Ride Safe!
Greasy Rider

http://tinyurl.com/2h98ax  

 
Thanks.  I always look.  I've had/got bikes that use 3 4 & 5.

 

    They only do it once.......8^)  4 + 5 = Jello!
-

Jinks ('86FXRS, '07 FLTR)
#64
Remember, "No good deed goes unpunished"

 

I believe one reason that bleeding is such a problem is the Dot 5 fluid. It
doesn't wreck the paint as much as Dot 4 but is nowhere near as good as a
brake fluid, it boils eariler and traps air bubbles better.
I drained all the Dot 5 from my 1200S sporty's dual front brales and pumped
about a litre of Dot 4 through the system when my lever came back to the
bars and no bleeding seemed to work.  The brakes work much better now, no
sign of jelly in the master cylinder so I must have flushed all the Dot 5
out.

I also have a 08 FLHT with Brembo's, wow them's the brakes, two finger
braking ah la Ducati..  I note that the master cylinder warning label reads
"use only Dot 4 fluid from a sealed container" so it seems even HD have
given the Dot 5 away.