Soft Front Brake Pull

glider · Apr 27th, 2008, 09:23 PM

Many people here have been complaining about a softer than normal front brake pull on their bikes.

Let's all weigh in here and see what brake fluid you are running if it is all DOT 5 or if some are having this problem using DOT 4 also.

Also a few other choices as well.

Feel free to leave any comments also.

~~Fisher~~ · Apr 28th, 2008, 11:54 AM

Many times when I see this it's dirty caliper/pistons causing the pistons to cock in the bore and not releasing properly.A good cleaning with an old toothbrush and brake fluid usually restores the feel/action.Do not use brake cleaner,that stuff's murder on seals.The new Brembo calipers won't have that problem as much.Yay!

ProF · Apr 28th, 2008, 08:13 PM

On my recently acquired 03 RG, the lever moves about half way to the bar before it starts braking. Once reaching that point, the braking is fine. The total travel isn't too great; I cannot get all the way down to the bar even if I squeeze hard. There is no spongy feeling like air, nor does pumping the lever change anything. The reservoir is full as well. I'm using DOT 5. On my 86 FXRS, the lever moves about an eighth of an inch before braking begins. ????

glider · Apr 28th, 2008, 09:33 PM

The DOT 5 will compress more than others and the reason for the change back to DOT 4 on the newer bikes with ABS brake systems. The DOT 4 will give you a better brake feel at the lever.

~~Fisher~~ · May 2nd, 2008, 11:31 PM

DOT 5 aerates too easily when pulsed at speeds the ABS is capable of.Brembo required the switch to DOT 4.

biglew55 · Nov 3rd, 2008, 09:47 AM

I can say that my '09 SG with ABS has a TOTALLY different feel than my '04 Ultra! The new front brakes start engaging sooner and all of the lever action is farther away from the grip than my '04. As Glider stated, I have DOT4 in mine. The rear pedal on the '09 has a different feel on it as well. I think it takes more pedal action to engage than on the '04. I've had it a week (940 miles so far) and am pretty much used to it already.

krikket · Feb 7th, 2009, 12:13 AM

There could be a number of contributing factors to that. However, brake fluid itself shouldn't be the culprit unless there is air in the system because no matter what kind of liquid it is, it cannot be compressed. Gas (air) compresses, but not liquids.

Some other factors could be in the caliper design. Caliper pistons retract because of the seal design. If the seal design has the piston(s) pull back a little further, that might give you a softer feel. Also, brake hoses flex. My Night Train has I think a 30" hose to the front caliper. Just some observations from an ex-auto mechanic.

Hobbit · Feb 8th, 2009, 05:50 AM

not voted as different bikes need different fluid so i use all the above

deucedog · Mar 1st, 2009, 11:45 AM

DOT 4

I had to replace my rear caliper last year due to a lock up at hiway speeds.

I just couldn't get it to bleed properly so I went to Harbor Freight and got the small vacumm brake bleeder kit. It's just a couple of lengths of hose, a small container and a hand vacuum pump. I hooked it up to the caliper,put a small bit of vacuum on it and slowly opened the bleeder. I did this about 4 times, until new fluid came out of the bleeder. My rear brake is now almost immediate and has no softness or spongy feel to it. I'm replacing the front caliper shortly and will bleed it the same way.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92474

NEWHD74FAN · Mar 14th, 2009, 06:09 PM

I'll bite...what is Dot 5.1 and referenced to HD? Guess I haven't been paying attention...

View Poll Results: Post what brake fluid you use
DOT 5.1	0	0%
DOT 5	30	63.83%
DOT 4	17	36.17%
DOT 3	0	0%
Voters: 47. You may not vote on this poll

Apr 27th, 2008, 09:23 PM	#1
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,068 My Mood:	Soft Front Brake Pull Many people here have been complaining about a softer than normal front brake pull on their bikes. Let's all weigh in here and see what brake fluid you are running if it is all DOT 5 or if some are having this problem using DOT 4 also. Also a few other choices as well. Feel free to leave any comments also. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me! Last edited by glider; Apr 27th, 2008 at 10:12 PM.

Apr 28th, 2008, 11:54 AM	#2
~~Fisher~~ Account Removed Ride: 1981 FLH Shovel Join Date: Apr 21st, 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 362 My Mood:	Re: Soft Front Brake Pull Many times when I see this it's dirty caliper/pistons causing the pistons to cock in the bore and not releasing properly.A good cleaning with an old toothbrush and brake fluid usually restores the feel/action.Do not use brake cleaner,that stuff's murder on seals.The new Brembo calipers won't have that problem as much.Yay!

Apr 28th, 2008, 08:13 PM	#3
ProF Contributor$ Ride: '03 Road Glide Join Date: Mar 17th, 2008 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 302 My Mood:	Re: Soft Front Brake Pull On my recently acquired 03 RG, the lever moves about half way to the bar before it starts braking. Once reaching that point, the braking is fine. The total travel isn't too great; I cannot get all the way down to the bar even if I squeeze hard. There is no spongy feeling like air, nor does pumping the lever change anything. The reservoir is full as well. I'm using DOT 5. On my 86 FXRS, the lever moves about an eighth of an inch before braking begins. ???? __________________ I doubt, therefore I might be.

Apr 28th, 2008, 09:33 PM	#4
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,068 My Mood:	Re: Soft Front Brake Pull The DOT 5 will compress more than others and the reason for the change back to DOT 4 on the newer bikes with ABS brake systems. The DOT 4 will give you a better brake feel at the lever. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

May 2nd, 2008, 11:31 PM	#5
~~Fisher~~ Account Removed Ride: 1981 FLH Shovel Join Date: Apr 21st, 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 362 My Mood:	Re: Soft Front Brake Pull DOT 5 aerates too easily when pulsed at speeds the ABS is capable of.Brembo required the switch to DOT 4.

Nov 3rd, 2008, 09:47 AM	#6
biglew55 Community Guru Ride: 2009 FLHX Join Date: Oct 1st, 2008 Location: Quad Cities Posts: 2,268 My Mood:	Re: Soft Front Brake Pull I can say that my '09 SG with ABS has a TOTALLY different feel than my '04 Ultra! The new front brakes start engaging sooner and all of the lever action is farther away from the grip than my '04. As Glider stated, I have DOT4 in mine. The rear pedal on the '09 has a different feel on it as well. I think it takes more pedal action to engage than on the '04. I've had it a week (940 miles so far) and am pretty much used to it already. __________________ "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die tomorrow." - James Dean Ride it hard and ride it far!

Feb 7th, 2009, 12:13 AM	#7
krikket Contributor$ Ride: 2008 Night Train Join Date: Aug 17th, 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 350 My Mood:	Re: Soft Front Brake Pull There could be a number of contributing factors to that. However, brake fluid itself shouldn't be the culprit unless there is air in the system because no matter what kind of liquid it is, it cannot be compressed. Gas (air) compresses, but not liquids. Some other factors could be in the caliper design. Caliper pistons retract because of the seal design. If the seal design has the piston(s) pull back a little further, that might give you a softer feel. Also, brake hoses flex. My Night Train has I think a 30" hose to the front caliper. Just some observations from an ex-auto mechanic.

Feb 8th, 2009, 05:50 AM	#8
Hobbit Moderators Ride: 09 CVO Ultra Classic Join Date: May 18th, 2007 Location: The Shires UK Posts: 8,737 My Mood:	Re: Soft Front Brake Pull not voted as different bikes need different fluid so i use all the above __________________ Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Mar 1st, 2009, 11:45 AM	#9
deucedog Warming The Wheels Ride: 2006 SOFTAIL DEUCE Join Date: Jul 5th, 2008 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 126 My Mood:	Re: Soft Front Brake Pull DOT 4 I had to replace my rear caliper last year due to a lock up at hiway speeds. I just couldn't get it to bleed properly so I went to Harbor Freight and got the small vacumm brake bleeder kit. It's just a couple of lengths of hose, a small container and a hand vacuum pump. I hooked it up to the caliper,put a small bit of vacuum on it and slowly opened the bleeder. I did this about 4 times, until new fluid came out of the bleeder. My rear brake is now almost immediate and has no softness or spongy feel to it. I'm replacing the front caliper shortly and will bleed it the same way. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92474

Mar 14th, 2009, 06:09 PM	#10
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 4,995 My Mood:	Re: Soft Front Brake Pull I'll bite...what is Dot 5.1 and referenced to HD? Guess I haven't been paying attention... __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

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