Ibought a used 2003 HD Electra Glide Standard in March. I have put about 4,000 miles on it. The problem I am havinf is with the front brake.The lever needs tobe pulled way in to stop. Compared to other bikes I have ridden I thought I either needednew brake pads and or to bleed the lines. Well neither has worked. I have gotten used to the feeling although do not think it is the way it should be.

Iwas informed thatwhan HD made thier change in brake fluid that wasnt a good change for the bikes. A HD mechanic told me HD knows of the issue and recomends switching the master cylinder and replacing the brake fluid with dot 4 instead of the dot 5 that the bike came with from the factory.

Has anybody else had or herd of this problem? Any suggestions. I have completely flushed and refilled the brake fluid with noimprovement.

 

All the seals in the caliper would have to be changed with seals compatible with the other DOT fluid.

HD makes a seal replacement kit and I have installed it in my 2003 FXD. I am still using the year recommended fluid with no ill effects.

I somehow suspect that you still have air in your brake system up front,

 

Just passing on info I've heard before, given to someone with the same problem:

Regular brake lines expand a little when applying the brakes, taking away some of the responsiveness. I imagine this gets worse as the lines get older. Replacing stock lines with braided is supposed to help.

 

braided lines did'nt help mine, i tried to bleed the brakes this evening- the lever still comes to the grip. leaving for the smokies this weekend goint to have to be careful.




Ride Safe

 

only other possibility is a bad master cylinder, allowing loss of pressure at the seal.

 

the master cylinder is not that old swapped it out with the chrome handle bar controls. but that don't mean it's not bad though.



Ride Safe

 

My local HD told me a few things, depending on who you talk to. First was that the dot 4 and dot 5 master cylinder are the exactly the same except for the label on top.

Another dealer told me to pull one calliper off, then pull the pads and pump the lever so I could clean the pistons with break fluid and compressed air. Put that all back together and then do the other side. He states they do this all the time to fix this problem. Now i just need to find the time to try it.

 

I had the same problem with excessive brake lever travel; to the grip practically--bled the brakes; no bubbles; brand new pads. My dealer's tech worked what now seems like a miracle by simply pulling the calipers, pumping the lever to cause the pistons to extend, then cleaning the pistons--the lever now feels like a rock--here's the thread I started two days ago on the fix with a link to Lydal brake pad's website with the same fix:

https://www.hdforums.com/m_1845106/tm.htm

 

Checking on this.
I have totally replaced (the old fasions sucky way) the dot 5 brake fluid on the front. I saw a moderate difference in the engagement position with the lever.

Not satisfaied, I went to the stealer and played with 20 or so "new" bikes to see if the brake lever felt any different. IT DID NOT.

I am confused - my old (1976) beemer had excellent brake control. My 03 RK does not.

Did you resolce the squishy feeling?

...gene