Have a 02 springer, put on new pads, cleaned piston and bleed ( I hope) and replaced w/ dot 5 as recommended on mc cap. Brakes are hard and not good stopping power. I took off the shock on front and it was dead and have one on order. I am sure that will help some, but will be real surprised if it fixes. I have a 09 Road King and love those brakes, I can brake w/ 1 finger w/ springer I use 4 and pray. I would love to ride springer more since it is a customized cool bike , but rarely do because I don't feel safe w/ brakes. Any advise would be great on how to get a good and good feeling brake on front. the back brakes will lock up real quick, but mainly worried about front. Did search and found lots on soft brakes , but not hard. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

 

try a new brake line?

 

Sounds like the piston is binding...How did you clean it? And there is no comparison between a single piston caliper and a 4 piston one...buy a 4 piston PM caliper for the springer and you can stop it with one finger.

 

The new pads can take 50-100 miles to seat. Its a good idea to lightly sand the pad pins with ~600+ grit so they are very smooth then lightly grease with brake high temp grease. This ensures the pads slide nicely onto and of of the rotor. If the pad pics and not perfectly smooth, rusted, or have gouges, replace them.

Also, deglaze your rotors with 600 grit. Spray with break cleaner and wiping off. Sand back and forth, from outside to inside of rotor, where the pads ride. Not in a circle, how the rotor spins with the pad. Go around each side a couple time to remove any residue form the other pads and to help your new ones seat better.

Another thing, your RK has dual rotors and should stop better than our single rotor setup. I ride 2up with single rotor, no problem stopping - use both front and rear brakes - it will stop... lol