I have almost 600 miles on my bike now after 2 months and Im starting to notice my front brake lever is very tight. There is virtually no slack in the lever. The brakes are at full force in less than a half inch of travel.

Is this normal?

 

Thats how mine are most the time, I love it. Unfortunately I seem to develop a spongy spot every few rides or so... gonna have to bleed em out. I have 12k on my bike.

 

Ok, Im just worried that because theres virtually no play, the brakes are actually "on" all the time. Theres no room to fade the brakes. Its on or off.

 

That's how they're supposed to be setup. Don't worry in time your pistons will get dirty, air will work its way into the system. .and you'll be wondering how to get that tight lever back. I have 17k on my fat bob and my lever was pulling near half way before engaging, cleaned pistons, bled, new pads, and now I have a little play before they engage, not much, just how I like it.

I recorded how much play I have here:

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/wheel...n-fat-bob.html

That last video isn't what it's like while riding. .it's different on the road, much less than that.

 

I hate how tight it is. Wish there was some play in there.

 

tight is right, worry when you have slack there.

 

There is no right or wrong amount of travel. We get new bikes from the factory, with only 3 or 4/16" of travel and some come with a 1/2" of travel.

You have to worry when you pull the lever half way down, the brake engages and then you can still pull the lever all the way to the grip.

If this happens. You should have it checked out. You may have air/water in the system. If the fluid is over two years old just change the fluid.

We had a guy come in last year with a 99 Wide Glide with no front brake. Lever pulled all the way to the grip. Took the cover off the reservoir, it was full. But the fluid was black and there was about 1/4" of sludge at the bottom. Asked him when he last had the fluid changed. He said never. He taught when he took it in for service the tech was checking it for him.

The same tech was servicing his bike for the last six years.

When you guys bring your bike in for service. Make sure you ask if the brakes/fluid was checked. And have it in writing not verbal.