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[Twolanerider]

Have heard or seen nothing from my dealer (Big St. Charles HD).

It's brakes and brake warning lights.  Don't wait for someone else to make sure your ass is safe.  Call them.

[DESERTBEAR54]

Just a heads up for people that still need this new switch replacement. Make sure that your dealer bleeds the rear brake properly. I believe as in my case that some techs think they are extremly quick in removing the old switch and installing the new one without getting any air in the rear brake system. This is a case of cutting corners on labor and can come back and bite one of the dealers if they don't do it right the first time. Please make sure your rear brake is working properly when you leave the dealer. DB

[cvosjoe]

X2. Just had mine done and you have to try and push the brake pedal through the crash bar to get the rear brake to work.

[HOGMIKE]

X2. Just had mine done and you have to try and push the brake pedal through the crash bar to get the rear brake to work.

X3
South of Chicago. Ran through the intersection! Went back to the dealership and the "factory-trained" tech said he never worked on ABS brakes before!
I gave him a little "pep talk" and suggested he re-train into sales!
 

[rheston]

I didn't see where this was posted elsewhere on the site and thought this would be of interest to the group as a whole:

http://www.ajc.com/business/harley-davidson-recalls-300-1208881.html#.Tq2_2WwT9AE.email

It appears the recall notices were to start going out at the end of October.  My dealership was unaware of this as of yesterday (Nov 6, 2011).

[Midnight Rider]

It is amazing to me that dealers are allowing bikes to leave the dealership after opening the braking system and not TESTING the brakes to make absolutely sure they are working as they are supposed to.  Somebody is going to get hurt before this thing is over with.   

[480Ruger]

Had mine 1st one replaced back in Aug.  They put on the new rounded one over the weekend.  I'll be taking it back to bleed the brakes again.  One pump and the lever goes down half way.  Second pump and the brake feels much better.

[Twolanerider]

It is amazing to me that dealers are allowing bikes to leave the dealership after opening the braking system and not TESTING the brakes to make absolutely sure they are working as they are supposed to.  Somebody is going to get hurt before this thing is over with.   

TC, of course you're right, any shop that sends a vehicle out after doing brake work and not noticing the brakes aren't working as they should be has made a ridiculously incompetent mistake.  However.....

We've got guys here saying they took the bike with them and are planning to take it back to the shop to get it fixed.  That may not be moto-masochism.  But it's every bit as dumb.

If you felt a soft brake pedal when picking something up after brake service the first turn you make should be right back to the service counter to demand they finish the task before you leave.  If you actually pull off the lot like that the dealer isn't the only one in this equation with issues.

[grc]

It is amazing to me that dealers are allowing bikes to leave the dealership after opening the braking system and not TESTING the brakes to make absolutely sure they are working as they are supposed to.  Somebody is going to get hurt before this thing is over with.   

It's amazing, but definitely not surprising considering the quality of the average Harley shop.  Of course, I find it just as amazing that people ride away from the dealership after brake service without thoroughly checking the operation of the brakes themselves, especially after all the information that's been posted here about the importance of doing so.  There should be no need to return the bike another day to have the brakes bled again; don't accept the bike until they do it right on the first trip.  The dealers should definitely be checking the work before returning the bikes to customers, but customers also need to look out for their own safety.  At least leave information with the next of kin so they can sue the bastards if you don't survive this simple recall.


Jerry

[Midnight Rider]

TC, of course you're right, any shop that sends a vehicle out after doing brake work and not noticing the brakes aren't working as they should be has made a ridiculously incompetent mistake.  However.....

We've got guys here saying they took the bike with them and are planning to take it back to the shop to get it fixed.  That may not be moto-masochism.  But it's every bit as dumb.

If you felt a soft brake pedal when picking something up after brake service the first turn you make should be right back to the service counter to demand they finish the task before you leave.  If you actually pull off the lot like that the dealer isn't the only one in this equation with issues.

I'll guarantee that my first application of the rear brake (and front, for that matter) will be well before I get off the dealers parking lot, not only to ensure there's no air in the lines, but also to make sure the ABS is still functioning properly by making a few runs in their lot.  Fortunatly, my dealer has a very large lot, so that's easy to do...they teach riding lessons there for newbies.  I think folks assume (and reasonably so) that any given dealer is going to do something as critical as brakes right the first time, but you know what they say about ASS-U-ME, and I don't assume chit with a HD dealer.  I literally dread taking my bike to the dealer if it has to go there.  I'd sit on the tech's shoulder if they'd let me, and I use the word "tech" loosely.  No offense to anyone here who is actually a GOOD HD technician, and I know there are some.  In the larger picture, skilled trades are quickly becoming a lost art, IMO.  Nobody seems to take pride in their work any longer.  I was an HVAC tech for over 18 years, with the latter years being mostly systems controls, and nothing made me feel better than to know when I got done with a job, it was working at 100% of the capability of the system.  I often wish I'd never gotten "promoted" out of that field.   Rant over...

[miker]

I'm number 70! on the list....at the nearest "facility". 

[ultrafxr]

I'm just glad that it is the rear brake and not the front brake(s).  While I want 100% of my braking ability 100% of the time if god forbid anything should happen please let it be the rear.  I can haul that baby down pretty well with just the front - but just the rear, no way.

And I agree totally that any shop that does not test the system out after opening it up is incompetent or lazy or probably both.  In any case the advice to check it out yourself immediately upon leaving the shop is spot on.  

[Screamin]

'It's no wonder that they don't let them rebuild calipers. Pathetic.

[SIX38]

Brought my '09 SEUC to dealer to replace a defective rear brake switch on Oct 17. Replaced with old part # 72023-51D. Did not pick up bike since service dept. was awaiting delivery of replacement heated grips (4th set!!). Recall was announced Oct 21, so I keep bike at dealer until they received their shipment of the new switches, #72016-06A. Since I don't have a Digital Tech II sitting in my garage to properly bleed the brakes, I had them flush and replace ALL the brake fluid, front and rear while installing the new switch. When picking up the bike, I asked the mechanic about the condition of the original fluids, "Front circuits fluid looked fine, rear was pretty dirty"said he. Gunk from the old switch perhaps ?? 
 They road tested bike before releasing to me, brakes worked fine.

  We are talking about brakes on a motorcycle. Replacement MUST be done properly, no options or shortcuts!


  Tom P.

 

   

[kraut]

just to keep you informed: the recall was officially listed with NHTSA October 22 and is all over the press since October 24.

Today is November 09 - no recall notice for European owners, no replacement parts either ...