front brakes

[rqball]

I replaced the front pads on my 2002 dresser,bled the system and had good hand lever. Roll the bike a few feet and no lever or feel all the way to the grip. Pump a couple of times and lever is back up. Roll the bike, no lever. I"ve back-bled to the master cyclinder, same results. Inspecting the calipers while still on the bike, i noticed the 2 outside pistons on both sides don't seem fully retracted although the bike rolls freely with a little pad scuffing noise. Riding the bike, i can pump a couple of times and have plenty of brake. Continue riding and next time to apply brakes, no handlever. Any suggestions? Rqball

 

[HDDon]

I'm sure someone will have run across this before, but I can tell you you should not ride the bike untill it is resolved.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I replaced the front pads on my 2002 dresser,bled the system and had good hand lever. Roll the bike a few feet and no lever or feel all the way to the grip. Pump a couple of times and lever is back up. Roll the bike, no lever. I"ve back-bled to the master cyclinder, same results. Inspecting the calipers while still on the bike, i noticed the 2 outside pistons on both sides don't seem fully retracted although the bike rolls freely with a little pad scuffing noise. Riding the bike, i can pump a couple of times and have plenty of brake. Continue riding and next time to apply brakes, no handlever. Any suggestions? Rqball

Brake Caliper Maintenance - Harley Davidson Community have a look here

 

[Hoople]

You should not see the pistons "retract". The pistons only relax not retract.

Your saying all is fine UNTIL you roll the wheel forward a couple of feet? Lift the wheel off the ground and spin it. Do you you see any noticeable runout in the rotors?

 

[fin_676]

I would be starting with a rebuild of the master cylinder as the piston is going all the way in and not pushing the fluid so the seals must be folding back

Brian

 

[rqball]

Thanks for your quik replies. Not any noticeable runout. Looked through the brake caliper maintenance. Everything proper. I'll post when i figure it out. Thanks again.

 

[Breeze3at]

What happens if you pump the lever until it gets hard, and then just keep holding it? Does it bleed down? If yes, then I think it's a master cylinder problem. If no, then it's probably in the rotor pushing the pistons too far back into the caliper.

 

[GARVIN]

IF the brake pads have shims on them check that they are in properly -if the shims or pads are off a bit they will retract the pistons - also make sure the slider pins (if equiped) move freely & lubed .