Harley-Davidson recommends that you replace/flush the DOT 4 brake fluid in your Harley brake system every two years regardless of mileage. In this completely free tutorial video, we show you how to flush your Harley brake system right in your own shop or garage with minimal tools, so you don't have to pay a Harley dealership to do it.
SUPPORT US AND SHOP IN THE OFFICIAL LAW ABIDING BIKER STORE
Here are some affiliate links to equipment we used to do this project. No additional cost to you, but if you click through and make a purchase we get a small commision. It helps support free videos like this!
- MV8000 Automotive Tune-up and Brake Bleeding Kit
- Used this for years and it works great
- Mityvac MV6835 Vacuum Brake Bleeding Kit
- What we used for this film project and loved it!
- Brake Fluid Tester – calibrated for DOT 4 brake fluids
- Test the moisture level in your DOT 4 fluid
Bleeding your Harley brake system and flushing the system is basically the same process. When bleeding your brake system, you just add new fluid to the old in the master cylinder and pull fluid through the lines until you get all the air out of the system. When you flush your Harley brake system, you are replacing all your old brake fluid with new. You remove all old fluid from the master cylinder and then put new fluid in and bleed the brake system until all the old fluid is evacuated along with any air, thus having all new fluid in the brake system.
Why should you flush your Harley brake system every two years you ask?
As DOT 4 brake fluid in your Harley ages, its chemical properties deteriorate and it absorbs water. This changes the physical properties of the DOT 4 brake fluid, which can lead to braking issues such as soft or spongy brakes. Left unchanged, it could lead to complete brake failure.
As mentioned, DOT 4 brake fluid absorbs water. Because water boils at 212°F, less than half the temperature of brake fluid, any water in the brake fluid dramatically reduces its boiling point. When brake fluid boils it converts any water in the fluid to gas. And because gas is more compressible than liquid, when brake fluids boil, the brake lever or pedal can start to feel “soft,” requiring the rider to pump the brakes to create sufficient pressure to slow the motorcycle.
CHECK OUT OUR HUNDREDS OF FREE HELPFUL VIDEOS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND SUBSCRIBE!
Recommended items for this project:
In this tutorial video, we use a Mityvac MV6835 Vacuum Brake Bleeding Kit, which will help you easily flush your Harley brake system. A less expensive brake bleeding kit we used for years is the MV8000 Automotive Tune-up and Brake Bleeding Kit & it works very well. We also use a Brake Fluid Tester to test the DOT 4 brake fluid for moisture. If you ever find your Harley brake fluid has 3.7% or higher water content by volume, it’s recommended that you change it, even if it hasn’t been two years.
This brake fluid issue discussed in this article is not specific to Harley as all motorcycles use much of the same DOT 4 brake fluid. Harley was just getting ahead of the game and recommending changing it out every two years to avoid any problems. You should do this on your motorcycle regardless of what make.
Tip: Don't store your opened unsealed DOT 4 brake fluid for any length of time. You can discard it after you use it. Once unsealed, DOT 4 brake fluid will collect moisture and that's exactly why we're flushing our systems in the first place.
Join the Free Email Club!
If you appreciate this free information make sure to join the thousands of law abiding bikers that have already joined the free Email Club! You will be notified of new useful motorcycle content and techniques as we put them out. Join the Community now!
Hi, I got the Horizon led windshield trim and I am actual set it up- or I try to set it up.
Where I am struggle is that the rubbers are not matching up with the screw while in the fairing. I have a 2019 RGS. Also the size seems to be to long.
What should I do?
Micharl
Michael,
If you bought it from us please contact our store manager at sales@lawabidingbiker.com, he’ll take care of you. If you bought directly from Ciro3D you should contact them here: https://bit.ly/2EcoJxv
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping as many bikers as we can worldwide!
My uncle has a Harley Davidson and the brakes are not working properly. It was explained here that it will be best to support local bike shops when considering having a brake bleeding kit. Furthermore, it’s recommended to go to trusted shops for quality Harley Davidson brakes.
In our free video we show you how to bleed and flush them yourself. A piece of cake. Check out our free tutorial video.
Ryan,
Does this flush also flush out the ABS unit on later model Harleys?
Thanks,
Jim Staude
Watch the entire video. I explain it! Hope you’re well!!
Does this brake flush (explained in the video) also flush the ABS unit?
Watch the entire video. I explain it! Hope you’re well!!
Ryan, what do you do if you do happen to get air into the line?
Mike,
Continue the process until you’ve pulled all the air out of the line.
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping & connecting as many bikers as we can worldwide!
Sorry so you can bleed or flush without scan tool on abs
Yup, we did it in this video and have done it for years. Follow the video and you’re good to go.
Do all of these guidelines go for DOT 5 as well? (Don’t store long-term, flush every two years, etc.)? Thanks!
yah, I’d follow the same protocols.
Hello Ryan,
Thank You, thank you, thank you etc., etc. many times.
I have a long and interesting story about, finally, getting a Harley Motorcycle, but will save till later.
I’ve watched most of your road, tour documentaries & equipment evaluations, for the last four months. I’ve learned so much from you.
I have a NEW (to me) 1990, 30-year ol’ Heritage Classic Softail with less than 4,000 miles. It’s in beautiful shape. I had some modifications done, like the heads: port & polish, new pistons / rings, cylinders honed, new cam, new carburetor, new air cleaner, new oil cooler & an air controlled rear shocks.
I have done 22 up-grades to go for the long rides.
I watched your install video, very cool, thanks and would like the Harley Brand heated hand grips with cable like in your video. But the local Harley shop said that Harley doesn’t make’em anymore much less for my year & w/cable ?? My bars are 1-inch dia.
I would like a set. Do you have them or where can I get them ?
If there’s ever a chance to ride with you, one time, that would be really cool.
Sincerely, JW
562-896-4658
Downey, CA – Los Angeles area
11-06-2020
Jim,
You’ve been informed correctly, HD doesn’t make heated grips for your bike. There are aftermarket companies like Heat Demon who make heated solutions for multiple makes/models of bikes. We personally don’t sell anything that would work for you.
Ride Safe & Ride Often!
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping, connecting, entertaining, and inspiring as many bikers as we can worldwide!
Here is just some stuff we put at the bottom of responses to make sure you know about some opportunities and things we have to offer.
Videos: (Subscribe to our YouTube Channel)
Here is a link to a bunch of our useful Free vids bro: http://www.lawabidingbiker.com/freevideos
Here is a link to some of our useful for purchase videos: http://www.lawabidingbiker.com/buyvideos
Membership/Benefits: (Join the Biker Revolution)
Become a Patron Member and get benefits! Do you like the content we provide? We’d like to get to know you better. Benefits are T-shirts, Private Facebook Group/Forum access, Premium Video Access! More Details Here==> http://www.lawabidingbiker.com/patreon
Official Online Store:
Shop in our Official Store Here ==> https://shop.lawabidingbiker.com
Podcast:
If you haven’t subscribed to the Law Abiding Biker Podcast make sure to do so. Listen in as we talk weekly about issues/items like this & so much more. You can listen on iTunes (Apple/IOS), Google Play, Stitcher Radio, any other Podcast App or on our Official Free App ==> http://www.lawabidingbiker.com/app
Email Club
Join our free email club at http:///www.LawAbidingBiker.com/EmailClub. Only relevant content will be sent from time to time. Email club members are the first to find out about free or for sale content are given special coupon codes.
Hay guys thanks for the great videos. Have a quick question on the brake flush procedure for abs systems. If you syphon out all the fluid from the master cylinder as shown in your video, wont’t that allow air into the system on abs models? I thought the brake lines run from MC to abs module, then to caliper….? Can you please confirm if your procedure in video is same for abs? Very much appreciated.
Tony,
We have someone continually adding fluid to the master cylinder while another vacuums the system to prevent any air from getting into the system. The procedure is the same for both ABS and non-ABS.
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping, connecting, entertaining, and inspiring as many bikers as we can worldwide!