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[SIX38]

A question for the many experts on this site.
A would like to flush and replace the brake and clutch fluids on my '09 SEUC. The shop manual states that the HD Digital Tech needs to be hooked up when bleeding the brakes on an ABS equipped bike. Is this necessary or are there any options to do this myself???
Thanks
Tom P.

[BillH]

  I would liked to have seen some responses to this question also.  I need to flush & bleed mine as well.

Bill

[HOGMIKE]

Normally you do not need to flush and bleed brakes on the newer bikes, unless you get into the system. Check the service interval in your OM.
However, the reason they tell you to hook up to DTT is to cycle the ABS module to open/close the valves.
They want to make sure the ABS will operate properly when needed, and the ports/valves are clear, and no air bubbles.
Some may notice the brake lever with a "spongy" feel when first applied. The feel is a little different from a non ABS system. Dealers will tell you this is "normal".
IF there is a problem with the ABS, there should be a code stored.
My 2 ABS bikes act the same, my non ABS bike had an entirely different feel.
JMHO
 

[Midnight Rider]

IF you're not introducing any air into the system, as in changing a brake line, etc, you might be able to get by doing it as you would any other.  From my reading on the subject, it appears that if there is any issue with the ABS system, the light will stay on until it's hooked up to the Digital Tech, checked for proper operation, then reset.  Air in the lines is the culprit, so straight flushing should not introduce any air.

Keep in mind, I have no first hand experience doing this, only things I've read.  I have also read that it's a 2 hour labor charge for the dealer to do this, plus the fluid...

[SIX38]

Service manual recommenced flush interval for brakes and clutch is every two years. The brakes on my motorcycles are something I always pay special attention to. So let's see, it has to be done at the dealer, of course an appointment has to be made, bike dropped off, and likely a $200.00 + bill. Grrrrrrr! They got us by the you know what!
Thanks for the responses.
Tom P.

[grc]

Service manual recommenced flush interval for brakes and clutch is every two years. The brakes on my motorcycles are something I always pay special attention to. So let's see, it has to be done at the dealer, of course an appointment has to be made, bike dropped off, and likely a $200.00 + bill. Grrrrrrr! They got us by the you know what!
Thanks for the responses.
Tom P.

Before you go and hand someone a bunch of money based on Harley's flaky recommendations, let me ask a question.  How often do you flush the brake fluid in your car or truck?  For that matter, how often does the manufacturer of that car or truck recommend you do so?  I can't speak for all manufacturer's, but the ones I'm familiar with have no such item in the routine maintenance schedule.  And Harley hydraulic brakes operate under the same principles as the ones on those cars and trucks. 

If you want to just bleed the calipers to eliminate any air or water that may have collected there, and to keep the bleeders from freezing up, you can do that without affecting the ABS as long as you don't introduce any air into the system.  When it's time to replace the pads, then I might consider flushing the system as part of that service, but every two years is a carryover from the old days just like some of the other stuff they have on those schedules.  They've actually updated some of that stuff over recent model years, like spark plug and fuel filters, but they still have stuff like the two year brake flush that needs to be updated for modern times.


Jerry

[TN]

Steve Cole once posted something about allowing the TTS the capability of doing the sequencing for the abs module. I did PM him about it and got the reply maybe in the future. I do wish that was available now.


i was wondering about flushing brake fluid myself with abs.  i would pull the maxi-fuse first, with ign. on,  proceed with flushing using a vacuum pump hooked up on the bleeder screws. anything to keep the dealer out of the loop.




TN

[AXIL]

     six38, you can flush/bleed you system just like non abs brakes then go riding and activate the abs 5 or 6 times
that will pump out the old fluid from the abs module then bleed again ta da! i would flush your brakes every two
years, same with dot 5.     
 
   I would flush your hydraulic clutch every year. Just look at the fluid and you'll see why.     

  I flush the brake fluid in my 1994 ford truck every two years and still have the original master cylinder and calipers.
all original front abs never had a code.  209,000 miles.   
                                                                   hope this helps    axil

[SIX38]

Thanks Axil,
 I knew you guys would come up with an answer. Love this site. I just flushed the clutch system and I see what you mean about the fluid. Ugly.
 I'm about to go on an extended trip to the southwest and have just installed new brake pads front and rear. I expect to encounter some temperature extremes and a fluid change is good practice no matter what the manual says.
  I'll flush the brake system next and post my results. If you don't hear from me, well then I guess it didn't work!! But it makes sense and as long as I don't introduce air (empty the master cylinder) it should do the trick.
Thanks again everyone.
Tom P.

[AXIL]

   six38,  you'll have no problems, cake walk. just take it easy and you will be fine. oh, cover EVERYTHING. dot 4 is
not forgiving and will eat everything it touches. be sure to wipe and clean both sides of the cover gasket.     
 
                                                             axil

[tennisman]

I've  thought of flushing the system, too, especially the clutch due to the high heat at the slave end.