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[Dobeman2000]

I am no expert but I'm hoping for a relatively simple fix here.  I had my bike in a few days ago to have the shop put on some chrome calipers and now the front brake lever seems to have very little resistance (like pushing on the brake in a car and it goes almost all the way to the floor).  I know I can take it right back and they will take care of it, but it is a pain to do that if there is an easy fix.  Any info. would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

[Pewter]

One likely cause is that they did not bleed all the air out of the brake line and calliper/s.

[Twolanerider]

From your description the shop either didn't bleed the brakes (at all or at least not effectively) or they left a banjo fitting loose and the circuit gained air or got pumped dry.  Either way it's a stupendous error to take a vehicle in that had brakes, do brake work then send it out the door with no brakes.  Have to ask why you even rode it away from the shop?  Only being about half facetious when I say that a good part of their liability exposure for such an error should be mitigated by the fact you were willing to accept it that way.

 

[Dobeman2000]

I honestly didn't notice until I rolled it out of my garage to park it so the other car could get out and only used my front brake.

From your description the shop either didn't bleed the brakes (at all or at least not effectively) or they left a banjo fitting loose and the circuit gained air or got pumped dry.  Either way it's a stupendous error to take a vehicle in that had brakes, do brake work then send it out the door with no brakes.  Have to ask why you even rode it away from the shop?  Only being about half facetious when I say that a good part of their liability exposure for such an error should be mitigated by the fact you were willing to accept it that way.

 

[Twolanerider]

I honestly didn't notice until I rolled it out of my garage to park it so the other car could get out and only used my front brake.

If had at least some front brakes for the ride home that could at least suggest they had the system bled out ok but didn't get the banjo bolts on the new calipers tight.  So in use and then setting it lost enough fluid to cause your problem.  Either way what you describe is going to require further service.  Certainly a nuisance but you don't take risks with brakes.  Get her sorted correctly at the shop if filling bleeding hydraulics isn't something you're comfortable doing at home.

[Midnight Rider]

Do you see any evidence of brake fluid leaking at the banjo bolt on the new calipers?  Take off the cover to the front brake fluid reservoir on the handlebar (protect your paint!!) and see if there's any fluid in it.  If it's full, then it's just air in the line, but depending on where the air IS, and because you have ABS brakes, the dealer will have to bleed the lines properly.

BTW...After they bleed the lines and the brakes are working right, I would let them know in no uncertain terms what I thought about their service.  Not that it will do any good.

How far do you have to ride to get to the dealership?  If it's very far at all, I'd call them and make them come get the bike.  Riding with no front brakes is a HUGE safety issue since 70% of your stopping power comes from the front brakes (give or take).  Surely you're not one of those riders who hardly ever uses the front brakes...?

[Dobeman2000]

No brake fluid leaking anywhere.  Is the procedure for bleeding the brakes different for those with ABS?

Do you see any evidence of brake fluid leaking at the banjo bolt on the new calipers?  Take off the cover to the front brake fluid reservoir on the handlebar (protect your paint!!) and see if there's any fluid in it.  If it's full, then it's just air in the line, but depending on where the air IS, and because you have ABS brakes, the dealer will have to bleed the lines properly.

BTW...After they bleed the lines and the brakes are working right, I would let them know in no uncertain terms what I thought about their service.  Not that it will do any good.

How far do you have to ride to get to the dealership?  If it's very far at all, I'd call them and make them come get the bike.  Riding with no front brakes is a HUGE safety issue since 70% of your stopping power comes from the front brakes (give or take).  Surely you're not one of those riders who hardly ever uses the front brakes...?

[grc]

No brake fluid leaking anywhere.  Is the procedure for bleeding the brakes different for those with ABS?

Yes.  You need the scan tool to cycle the ABS pump and valves.

If it were me, I'd call that dealership and insist they come and get the bike, fix it ASAP, and return it to me in proper operating condition.  This is serious stuff and not something to be taken lightly or something to let them blow off.  There was a time when folks in the vehicle service business took safety related repairs, like brakes, very seriously.  After hearing/reading some of the horror stories coming out of many different Harley shops over the past few years, obviously the customer's safety isn't as important as it once was.  Just another sign of the lack of professionalism these days.

Jerry

[Dobeman2000]

Bled the front brake last night, but is exactly the same, taking it back today to hopefully have it done right.

[Twolanerider]

Bled the front brake last night, but is exactly the same, taking it back today to hopefully have it done right.

I'd suggest not telling them you tried.  You and everyone else knows you didn't hurt or change anything.  But there is no sense in giving a dealer service staff any wiggle room to lay blame elsewhere.

[Dobeman2000]

Taking it to my local indy cycle shop (same shop that did the caliper work to begin with), so there won't be a charge.

I'd suggest not telling them you tried.  You and everyone else knows you didn't hurt or change anything.  But there is no sense in giving a dealer service staff any wiggle room to lay blame elsewhere.

[Twolanerider]

Taking it to my local indy cycle shop (same shop that did the caliper work to begin with), so there won't be a charge.

That's good news.  Was assuming a Harley shop.  That's an assumption that always make my private places pucker.

[Dobeman2000]

Only service at Harley dealer is for the major check ups (wouldn't take the bikes in then either, except I want it on record that they received their 1000, 5000, ect. come time to sell).

That's good news.  Was assuming a Harley shop.  That's an assumption that always make my private places pucker.