Properly bleeding ABS brakes... what's the cheat?
#81
just as a preventive measure, when i do my 5k services, i hook up my scanner and do the abs activation. i'll do 2 or 3 (or more, depending) 5k services in the 1.5 - 2 years between brake fluid flushes. i also have a moisture detection device that i bought from amazon and will test the moisture content of my brake fluid at each service. sometimes it will go the full 2 years before it gets to the point where it is 'saturated', or it may reach it at the 1.5 year mark.
one thing to note is that the moisture content check is on the maintenance schedule. so if you don't do that check, and have a brake problem during the 2 year factory warranty period, the dealer could reject your warranty claim for not performing all necessary maintenance as required. it's worth the $10 to pick one up.
one thing to note is that the moisture content check is on the maintenance schedule. so if you don't do that check, and have a brake problem during the 2 year factory warranty period, the dealer could reject your warranty claim for not performing all necessary maintenance as required. it's worth the $10 to pick one up.
Last edited by Cle_rider; 04-06-2023 at 10:16 AM. Reason: clarify
#82
Basically
There is no cheat. These are not AMF era Harley’s. If you buy an ABS equipped Harley, new or used and choose not to do the maintenance correctly, my first suggestion is to sell it, you’re a threat to everyone on the road as well as yourself. The maintenance records are not secret. They come with the bike. Lots of crazy talk about jamming on the brakes. Like many things, learning something before talking goes a long way towards having folks seek your advice. That or many laugh. I know I do.
FWIW, my own experience is I hear the clicking of ABS versus any feel in the brake pedal as I was steering/looking at where I was going. Now I don’t trip on that IF it’s working. I also do my level best to not be in a situation where extreme braking is necessary. SA is vital on two wheels.
FWIW, my own experience is I hear the clicking of ABS versus any feel in the brake pedal as I was steering/looking at where I was going. Now I don’t trip on that IF it’s working. I also do my level best to not be in a situation where extreme braking is necessary. SA is vital on two wheels.
#83
just as a preventive measure, when i do my 5k services, i hook up my scanner and do the abs activation. i'll do 2 or 3 (or more, depending) 5k services in the 1.5 - 2 years between brake fluid flushes. i also have a moisture detection device that i bought from amazon and will test the moisture content of my brake fluid at each service. sometimes it will go the full 2 years before it gets to the point where it is 'saturated', or it may reach it at the 1.5 year mark.
one thing to note is that the moisture content check is on the maintenance schedule. so if you don't do that check, and have a brake problem during the 2 year factory warranty period, the dealer could reject your warranty claim for not performing all necessary maintenance as required. it's worth the $10 to pick one up.
one thing to note is that the moisture content check is on the maintenance schedule. so if you don't do that check, and have a brake problem during the 2 year factory warranty period, the dealer could reject your warranty claim for not performing all necessary maintenance as required. it's worth the $10 to pick one up.
#84
tbh, i haven't flushed the brakes myself. i've taken the bike in to the dealer for the complete flush. i just use the scanner to activate the abs module. i could do it myself, but i don't mind paying $175-200 every couple of years to let the dealer do it. i believe the digital tech has a different procedure, but with the tool i have, you would flush the brakes as normal, then do the activation, and then flush them again if desired.
#85
The ones I've worked with, not Harley, says don't activate the brakes while the abs is being activated for the flush. I'd imagine you activate the abs and that puts fluid into the lines while sucking in fresh fluid from the master. After that's flush again and all the old should be out?
#86
I'm in the flush and then ride to activate the abs camp. The main reason to flush the brakes is to get rid of the fluid contaminated with high water content. In my opinion, if you do regular maintenance activating the ABS in any manner will mix the fluid left in the module with the fresh fluid. Even if your old brake fluid has a high moisture content the small amount in the module should get diluted to an acceptable level fairly quickly.
As a bonus, as a part of keeping your riding skills sharp, you should be familiar with how your brakes respond when ABS is activated. One of the hardest things I have ever done is try to lock up the front wheel on purpose. Alway done on loose road surfaces. It works quite well, still scares me though.
As a bonus, as a part of keeping your riding skills sharp, you should be familiar with how your brakes respond when ABS is activated. One of the hardest things I have ever done is try to lock up the front wheel on purpose. Alway done on loose road surfaces. It works quite well, still scares me though.
The following 2 users liked this post by Sparkee...:
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#87
I get the idea, of doing it often, so that any small amount still present gets flushed next time. You then have to have disciplinbe to do it more often than nomal. But again I still wonder about what is left in ABS module. Maybe I should practice more, but I don't make it a habit of coming to a skidding stop.
#88
I get the idea, of doing it often, so that any small amount still present gets flushed next time. You then have to have disciplinbe to do it more often than nomal. But again I still wonder about what is left in ABS module. Maybe I should practice more, but I don't make it a habit of coming to a skidding stop.
Doing this in a controlled, safe manner is good for my own skillset as well. I've done a lot of "panic braking" in practice. When that car pulled out in front of me in the video above, the training kicked in & took over. I was on those brakes immediately, I trusted the ABS, and I didn't panic, because I've done it before. Just not with a 3,000 pound object in front if me. I did think we were going to hit. There was about 2 inches to spare.
#89
#90
One of these is probably in my future
ITM HD1 ABS Flush Utility (J1850 equipped/4 pin bikes) – Information Technology Mercenaries LLC (infotechmercenary.com)
ITM HD1 ABS Flush Utility (J1850 equipped/4 pin bikes) – Information Technology Mercenaries LLC (infotechmercenary.com)