Iron ABS brake line

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  • Bushchook
    Bushchook
    9 years ago

    Hi all,

    I'm looking for some info on extending the brake line on my wife's 2014 iron 883. It has ABS which is causing some frustration in finding an extended brake line to fit the new handlebars. I'd like to say "if only I had 4 more inches" but that may lead into some alternative conversation ... however, if only I had 4 more inches ... from the abs block up to the reservoir.

    Anyone know of a kit supplier for extended front brake lines? Otehrwise i have a local hydraulics guru looking at it for me but not quite sure how this'll turn out. Closest Harley mob is 1600km's away.

    Also happy to let you guys know how tis turns out as an alternative to OEM or aftermarket stuff.

    Bushchook

  • Bushchook
    Bushchook
    9 years ago

    Nope ... still looks like a smashed thumb!

     

  • Bushchook
    Bushchook
    9 years ago

    Update on the brake line replacement ... Had a local hydraulics guy make up the extension from the distribution block to the reservoir. Had to add another 5" and they also made it so I can replace down the track without having to remove the block and ABS brake lines.

    Bleeding was no bigee although it took some time to flood the system again. Started off vacuuming oil through, then flushed back up from the bleed screw. Had to do that a couple of times until all was good. I'm in Port Hedland so not so easy to get hold of the correct vacuum tools etc. However, a little ingenuity, swearing and plastic hose got me across the finish line.

    No dramas with ABS either. I've put it through some torture and it seems to be stopping correctly. Reckon i'll get it cycled once we're closer to civisation though.

    Regards to all ...

  • jinda
    jinda
    9 years ago
    Good work and great thinking out of the box. Keep it up.
  • Bushchook
    Bushchook
    9 years ago
    Hey jinda ... what part of SA mid north you from mate? I spent plenty of time in Pirie, Whyalla and Roxby
  • jinda
    jinda
    9 years ago
    YACKA
  • ninetynineco
    ninetynineco
    9 years ago
    Hey Bushchook,

    I'm needing to do the same thing to my 48, any chance of hooking my up with the line if I pay for it...
    Doesn't seem to be anyone in sydney that wants to get involved...

    I have NO IDEA how to do the bleeding side of things but may pay HD to do that for me if needs be.
    I spent a month persuading the misses to buy my handlebars for Christmas, only to never be able to fit them - I'm sure you can imagine how thats gone down...
  • Bushchook
    Bushchook
    9 years ago
    Ninetynineco ... I could only imagine the evils you copped. Still, will be worth the effort once you've got your bars on.

    There was certainly some resistance from the guy I went to as well. Most don't want to put their names to anything to do with civil transport mods so fair enough I suppose. Who have you tried so far?

    I can certainly take a photo and provide some details of the line used. Perhaps there's a custom bike shop nearby. I would have gone to one myself if I was closer to civilisation. Not trying to skirt around helping you out mate, only trying to keep your stuff local ... camel post up here. Mine took around 3 weeks to get back and it's the entire block that needs to be sent for the mods so you could be without the bike for that time plus camel post. Mine had to be sent to Karratha, about 200k's away, as there wasn't a crimper small enough to handle the size hose in Hedland.

    Otherwise I'm more than happy to help.

  • ninetynineco
    ninetynineco
    9 years ago
    Jesus, it just seems like such a huge headache.

    Harley wanted $550 to swap the bars inc the cable, deus wanted $600, another Harley dealer wanted $650... Crazy!
    I honestly wouldn't know who to try locally... I'll have a look for some local hydraulics place.

    I guess it doesn't help that even if I get the cable I still don't know what the fuck to do with it haha... Might just stick with the drag bars and ignore the misses moaning...
  • 883n Harley Convert
    883n Harley Convert
    9 years ago
    I'n sure you've considered this but..............................................purchase a manual for your bike and do it yourself. Here is a clip from YouTube doing the ABS brakelines on a Bagger, but I'd imagine the philosophy would be the same regardless?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQfQ2_gYgkY

    If you need a hand with the wiring side of it; just research it. You'd be surprised how straight forward it can be. The only thing I probably should do differently relates to the deutch plugs. I tend to take the wires out permanently and just shrink wrap them together because I like to change them up from time to time. That being said, my mechanic has suggested it will come unstuck at some point, but after 2 harleys and multiple bar changes - haven't had an issue yet!

    Happy to help if you want to have a chat about it. In fact, if my Dyna goes this weekend I be on a new HD on Tuesday/Wedneday and will be changing the bars over the weekend. Feel free to stick your head in and get involved if you want mate!

    Waz
  • Bushchook
    Bushchook
    9 years ago
    I had a chat with the fella who did mine to see if he was interested ... "yeah nah" was the response so no go there. Like Waz says, youtube was a great help for changing over the hardware but extending the brake line was the bitch.

    Keep on asking around, perhaps a small mechanical business with interests in hydraulics? Some of those prices ... man.

    Waz, good luck with the sale mate. Nothing like a new toy.
  • Bushchook
    Bushchook
    9 years ago
    Mate I've got my brakes all set up nicely now. The problem was there's a distribution block that the ABS lines run into as well as the line from the reservoir and line to the caliper. The only hoses you can unscrew from the block are the ABS. So to extend the line to the reservoir the hydraulics dude had to sweat a new fitting into the block and add a coupling and new section of hose. Good old hd got that one stitched up. In the meantime you've totally exposed the lines from reservoir to the caliper through the ABS distribution block.

    I'll take a couple of pics and post em up for anyone who's interested. Hopefully 99co will be able to get something similar happening.

  • ninetynineco
    ninetynineco
    9 years ago
    Bush, any photos would be awesome and Waz, I'd def be keen to meet up and see that process... Where are you based mate?
  • brash
    brash
    9 years ago

    http://www.hdforums.com/forum/sportster-models/1019793-2014-sportster-48-ape-hanger-tips.html

     

    edit - thats actually not much help, he doesn't do brake lines.

  • Bushchook
    Bushchook
    9 years ago


    Here's a couple of snaps of the end result. First pic is of the distribution block and new coupling. The 2 hoses that screw in at the back are to/from the ABS, the other 2 were permanently crimped into the block until the hydraulics dude fitted the coupling. 2nd pic is of the new banjo and hose. I'll eventually put some black split hose around it but it sort of matches the new handlebars as it is.


     

  • ninetynineco
    ninetynineco
    9 years ago
    Mate, this is exactly what I'm after - sooooo over the drag bars now, it's killing my back.

    I'm going to hunt down a hydraulics guy in sydney...
  • Bushchook
    Bushchook
    9 years ago
    No worries mate .. hope it turns out well for you.
  • Bushchook
    Bushchook
    9 years ago
    Ninetynineco ... any luck with the brake line?
  • ninetynineco
    ninetynineco
    9 years ago
    Nah mate, unfortunately not. I popped into a local hydraulics place and a mate of mine who works out west asked another place - both gave a pretty swift "on yer bike" i'm afraid.

    My back is getting worse and worse so I might end up just paying the damn $550 to have harley change them.
  • mrjessehlee
    mrjessehlee
    7 years ago
    I'm doing the same here.
    the ABS brake line is pain in the butt. So I went directly to HD for parts. HD themselves sell the extended one (w various lengths & banjo bolt angle) for roughly around $250+gst (lower line + ABS block + upper extended line).

    Now, my question is what is the proper procedure for bleeding ABS bit? Could you please shed us some light Mr Booshchook?
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