JUST BOUGHT A 95 ULTRA FROM THE DEALER. VERY CLEAN BIKE, LOW MILEAGE, GOOD PRICE. THEY DID A FULL SERVICE AND REPLACED THE REAR PADS. WHEN I DROVE AWAY I NOITICED THAT WHENEVER YOU HIT THE REAR BRAKE FIRMLY IT LOCKED UP. i'M GOING TO TAKE IT BACK AND HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. WHADDAYA THINK IS CAUSING THAT?
THANKS

 

You. Ya don't slam the brakes ya ease into them.

 

pressing too hard on the rear brake lever. Does it still have stock rubber rear brake line or has it been changed by previous owner to braided stainless line? If so, change back to rubber rear brake line and go with stainless braided front lines.

 

There are a couple things I can think of including air in brake line. The important part is to make sure the pads aren't dragging when you go back to shop. Brakes are part of any state inspection and need to operate right when any vechile is sold.

 

Air in the brake lines makes it less prone to lock up, as the air is compressible and the brake fluid is not.

 

Could'nt an air bubble in the line prevent the fluid traveling back to the cylinder

 

An air bubble in the line compresses under pressure when the brake lever is depressed at the master cylinder, decreasing the effective hydraulic pressure applied at the slave cylinder in the caliper.

 

i have found that the back brake is very prone to lockup on my bike as well, but i think its typical of any bagger. remember, 80% of your braking comes from the front brake, and the rear should never be used by itself at anything more than parking lot speeds.

its also important to know how to handle a lockup. MSF teaches to ride out a rear lockup, as releasing it if the bike is out of line can result in a highside crash. front brake lockups they teach to release and reapply. not saying this is right, just sayin.

 

Since the dealer put in new pads the first thing I would check is to see if the fluid is over filled. If the brake fluid was topped off with the old (thin) pads in and then the new (thicker) pads are installed without checking the level this can result in no expansion room for the fluid as the pads and then the fluid heat up when braking. If the fluid level is ok then check for pistons sticking in the caliper, or brake lever possability hanging up when depressed. If every thing checks out then its possable that the dealer put in pads that have very aggresive material resulting in lock up with a heavy foot.

 

Rear brakes lock up EASILY without a passenger. Use lightly when solo.