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[cahdbiker]

Time to ride! I just want to get some opinions about flushing hydraulic lines. I went in the other day to get new rear pads on my 09 since I have a trip coming up and the inside pad looked a little worn. So the dealer tells me for new rear pads and labor $112.00. I would do it myself, but since they are ABS I understand you need a computer to sync the brakes or something.(In the service manual they refer to it as a "Digital Technician ll "part no. HD-48650). This device is suppose to ensure that  the brakes are bled properly. After about 20 minutes the service writer said that my fluid was "contaminated " and needed to be flushed. So I told him to do it. Of course they flushed the front and back brakes lines and the clutch. Just for the record my brakes and clutch were working fine, except the rear pads were worn actually only the inside pad. The front pads were still fine for the 3500 mile trip I have planned.(mechanic said they only had 35% wear).When it comes to brakes safety first, but I felt like I got a little stiffed when they charged me 2 hours labor to bleed the 3 different lines. I could do an entire car in less time then that. The service writer said that all hydraulic lines should be flushed every two years. Comments? CAHDBIKER

[redbeard719]

DOT4 will eventually pick up moisture over time.  The result is a fluid that isn't of the same integrity as when it was put in the bike.

The catch is as the DOT4 ages and collects moisture, it's more prone to brake fade because the boiling point progresses lower and lower as the moisture content increases.

As for the price paid to have the service done, I can't speak to that.  I've always done my own, but I do know that it can be a tedious job.

Bleeding the brakes on your own isn't a tough job.  Pick up a vacuum bleeder and make sure the MCs are full at all times.  The digital technician is really only necessary when air is introduced into the lines.

I've swapped bars enough that each year I find myself with new fluid.  I'd recommend new fluid every other year.

[skratch]

the service manual does call for a brake/clutch flush and fill every 2 years, so he is not bs'ing you there.  but 2 hrs?  that seems a little high.

[cahdbiker]

Yes it does seem a bit high considering the fact that a few years ago I bled the rear brake in my 95 Heritage in a motel parking lot in Moab Utah , with the help of my wife. Took me less than 30 minutes not counting going to the shop to get some fluid. I think they should have been able to complete the job in one hour even though they had to bleed the brakes front and rear and the clutch. Thanks for letting me vent.  CAHDBIKER

the service manual does call for a brake/clutch flush and fill every 2 years, so he is not bs'ing you there.  but 2 hrs?  that seems a little high.

[05Train]

The DT isn't needed for bleeding as long as you don't get air into the system above the ABS module.

I bleed the brakes yearly, which works out to about every 25,000 miles on the big bike, 7-8,000 or so on the little one.  Same schedule for the clutch.