[ScottfromCT]

Hi Y'all - Hope all is well. It's been a long time since I last posted here. I'm by no means mechanically adept and hope you don't find my question too stupid...

I own a 92 FXDC with stock dual calipers. Last year, I purchased a 16" ape hanger kit from Hill Country Custom Cycles, including the front master cylinder and braided lines. I had a hell of a time getting any pressure built up with the new set up. I spent a ridiculous amount of hours bleeding the system, and finally got the pressure through vigorous pumping, and mity-vac-ing, and reverse bleeding, Rode all last season with no problems at all.

Went to do a front pad change this winter. I didn't crack open any bleeder screws or open any lines at all. Just pushed the caliper pistons back in the bore slightly to remove the old pads. I lost all pressure in the system and can't get anything back. Tried all the bleeding tricks and techniques that worked last year, but can't get a damn thing. Never had a problem bleeding the front brakes prior to the new setup.

Can someone tell me if this might be a bad master cylinder and/or bad caliper? Is there any way to test the master cylinder? If I open a bleed screw and pump the lever, I don't even get any fluid coming out. Thanks very much in advance.

~Scott

 

[jackstrr]

sounds like a master cyl. to me. if its full and you pump it, it should squirt.

 

[FXRS84]

did you bleed the MC alone before you you put the brakes together?

 

[ScottfromCT]

sounds like a master cyl. to me. if its full and you pump it, it should squirt.

That's what I was afraid of. I've heard some bad things about Hill Country Custom Cycles and wouldn't be surprised if their MC was bad.

 

[ScottfromCT]

did you bleed the MC alone before you you put the brakes together?

You mean bleed right from the line out of the master cylinder? I've never done that before. I always assumed any air in the MC would come right up through the reservoir. I'll give that a shot.

 

[DR_DEUCE]

There is a drain hole in the bottom of the master cyl, it lets fluid into the piston area. You can usually see a slight stream of fluid coming from that hole when you release the lever. Or, you may see bubbles coming from the hole as well. Verify you have fluid going into the piston area. You might crack the fitting off the cylinder and see if you are actually forcing fluid thru the master.

 

[Reba]

883 brakes locking up

Took my friends 05 883 to get it inspected. Coming down a hill and applying light rear brake pressure; the bike started seeming sluggish when reapplying throttle. Pulled in the clutch & the bike came to a stop, barely would roll. Had to bleed rear brakes to get the bike home. What happened?

 

[ArcAngel]

Took my friends 05 883 to get it inspected. Coming down a hill and applying light rear brake pressure; the bike started seeming sluggish when reapplying throttle. Pulled in the clutch & the bike came to a stop, barely would roll. Had to bleed rear brakes to get the bike home. What happened?

You may have over filled the master. Riding that brake downhill it got hot fuid expands fron the heat of the caliper.

 

[ArcAngel]

Hi Y'all - Hope all is well. It's been a long time since I last posted here. I'm by no means mechanically adept and hope you don't find my question too stupid...

I own a 92 FXDC with stock dual calipers. Last year, I purchased a 16" ape hanger kit from Hill Country Custom Cycles, including the front master cylinder and braided lines. I had a hell of a time getting any pressure built up with the new set up. I spent a ridiculous amount of hours bleeding the system, and finally got the pressure through vigorous pumping, and mity-vac-ing, and reverse bleeding, Rode all last season with no problems at all.

Went to do a front pad change this winter. I didn't crack open any bleeder screws or open any lines at all. Just pushed the caliper pistons back in the bore slightly to remove the old pads. I lost all pressure in the system and can't get anything back. Tried all the bleeding tricks and techniques that worked last year, but can't get a damn thing. Never had a problem bleeding the front brakes prior to the new setup.

Can someone tell me if this might be a bad master cylinder and/or bad caliper? Is there any way to test the master cylinder? If I open a bleed screw and pump the lever, I don't even get any fluid coming out. Thanks very much in advance.

~Scott

You have ape hangers so I'd imagine the grips slope down slightly. This causes a air bubble to become trapped in the brake hose a few inches before the master where it is high. When you pushed the calipers in you probably pushed the bubble back into the master. If you're having trouble sometimes smacking the lever in quickly can help dislodge the air. Keep bleeding...