Brake Switch Recall

[runamuck]

took my 09 ultra in for the brake switch recall and now my rear brakes are mushy...I mentioned to the shop foreman at the dealership that I had read online that many riders were reporting mushy rear brakes after the dealership has fooled with them and he assured me that "they will be fine". It was quiting time when they got thru with my bike so there was no turning around and heading back to the shop. I am wandering if I can bleed them myself since they are ABS type brakes... I do my own wrenching, but admit that I know nothing about the ABS system....

[Ardy]

I am wandering if I can bleed them myself since they are ABS type brakes...  

I made a point of mentioning that I had ABS when the did the recall on mine. They told me that they had to run it through the computer because I did have ABS.

[glens]

Yeah, they'll have to take it back in and run it through the bleeding procedure to get it right.  The ABS module has some internal valving and whatnot, and it's at a high point in the system, so they'll have to attach their computer and put the system through its paces while bleeding.

[rbabos]

Yeah, they'll have to take it back in and run it through the bleeding procedure to get it right.  The ABS module has some internal valving and whatnot, and it's at a high point in the system, so they'll have to attach their computer and put the system through its paces while bleeding.

So in order to bleed these abs systems they need a program to repeatedly cycle the valving and move any air in this area so it can be bled out of the system? I have a hard time seeing how any air can travel back to the unit from a simple switch change, especially if one vacume bleeds the rear caliper right after switch change as long as no peddals or levers are moved prior to this.
Ron

[glens]

Hey Ron, I've never bled Harley's ABS system.  For the rear brakes the module is in a high point.  Why there're no manual bleed valves there is beyond me.  I agree with you in principle, but it'd sure suck to have good brakes until the ABS hits the first time and then have mush.

[runamuck]

yes- one of the things I liked on this bike over the '03 that I had was the really solid grab of the brakes. I wish I had not had the recall done..with the fuel management system and after market pipes, I didnt feel like the bike was running overly hot..and excessive heat is the main reason these switches are failing...I mentioned the poor results I got to a buddy who has an '09 cvo road glide that he was going to take in for the recall and turns out his girlfriend works at that very dealer and said something to the service manager who then called me and promised to get things right if I bring it back in..we'll see.......

[Jeffd]

if they do it right you will have your old brake feel back.  I had mine done (2011 abs rgu) and I have a nice firm feel just like the day I got it.

[rbabos]

if they do it right you will have your old brake feel back.  I had mine done (2011 abs rgu) and I have a nice firm feel just like the day I got it.

Key works, if they do it right. His problem should not have happened in the first place.
Ron

[86fxwg]

Sorry men, but there is nothing special about bleeding the brakes on theses abs systems
No prapotioning valves just dump valves,u want it bleed rite do it yourself..

[Coyote]

Sorry men, but there is nothing special about bleeding the brakes on theses abs systems
No prapotioning valves just dump valves,u want it bleed rite do it yourself..

This is what I think. I plan to bleed mine normally when I have to, then take the bike out for a spin and activate the antilocks a few times (gawd knows that's easy to do  ) and then check em again. I opted to ignore the switch recall as I have no heat source near my switch with the 2-1's.

[runamuck]

well fxdwg- I have heard that the system needs to be connected to the service dept. computer to check and adjust...If not, the I would try to bleed it myself...