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Front Grakes

2K views 13 replies 4 participants last post by  Monkeyman 
#1 ·
A week or so ago, I was on our 98 road Glide going about 60mph. The bike felt as if it was dragging so I let off the throttle. I bike came to a qwick stop. The front brakes were tight. The brake lever was solid tight. I bleed them off and got the bike home. I have duasl PM calipers in the front. I thought and though talking with others, the master cylinder was bad. I bought a re-built kit and built it. I filled the system with fluid and I would loosen the bleeder on the farthest away caliper and my daughter would pull in on the lever. When she went 1/2 to 3/4 the way, I would tighten the bleeder. We did this several times on both side. Fluid runs all the way through the system and out the bleeder but the system will not build up presure. I am woundering could something have happened to the calipers? I am at a total lose. Any help is appreciated. Thank you. Mark
 
#2 · (Edited)
I have seen cars and trucks that have the brakes working properly when everything is cold but when driven and get hot the calipers start to seize and will lock up. When do you start to feel the brakes grabbing without you using them? Is it after youve been out riding for awhile or when you first start riding for the day? The brake hoses could also be bad and swell up when they get hot too. Also when youre bleeding them you need to make sure the master cylinder does not go dry or youll need to do it again.
 
#3 ·
Front Brakes

It was just a one time thing. It has never happened before. I have new brake lines bought but didn't use them as I wanted to see if I needed them or not. The fluid ran straight through so I am assuming they are ok. Also, when bleeding, I didn't rum it dry. We were careful. I just can't see both of the calipers going to hell at the same time. Like I said, it won't build presure and the calipers are loose. No front brakes at all.
 
#5 ·
Also may want to try opening the one bleeder, have her squeeze the brake fully and hold it there, tighten the bleeder and then have her release it fully. Try that a several times on each caliper to make sure the master gets bled too. Once you took apart the master cyl air was introduced so that too will need to be bled. Like i said try that several times on each to help bleed the master cyl.
 
#6 ·
Brakes

I have done many re-builds and I am certain it's right. When the master cylinder cap is off and the trigger pulled, I get bubbles so it is right on. Also, we bleed back and forth on each caliper 10 or more time each. Re-filling when needed. I am wondering, if the calipers drug long enough to wear the pads out, would that cause the lack in no presure.
 
#7 ·
I have done many re-builds and I am certain it's right. When the master cylinder cap is off and the trigger pulled, I get bubbles so it is right on. Also, we bleed back and forth on each caliper 10 or more time each. Re-filling when needed. I am wondering, if the calipers drug long enough to wear the pads out, would that cause the lack in no presure.
The excessive heat from dragging may cause the caliper to act funny
 
#9 ·
I think you said that you were getting bubbles in the master cyl when you were bleeding which is an indication that there is still air in the master after you rebuilt it. i would keep trying to bleed it until no bubbles are showing up. You can also got to the autoparts store and see if they have a brake syringe and reverse bleed it.
 
#14 ·
+1 on what rlaf said. Make sure you pull the brake lever in ALL the way, hold it then tighten the bleeder. Or better yet, buy some Speed Bleeders. They take all the guess work out of it. If you have new brake lines, I'd go ahead and replace them. That will take bad lines out of the question. If you know you have good lines, you know you've rebuilt the master cylinder correctly and you've bled the brakes right, the only thing left will be the calipers. BTW, you might as well replace the pads while you're at it. They're relatively cheap. I skimp on alot of stuff but never when it comes to steering or braking. These are heavy bikes and you use 70% front brakes. Might be different if you were on a lighter bike with........................no, it wouldn't.
 
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