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2022 tourer brake bleed

  • Trunksie
    Trunksie
    28 days ago
    Hey Legends, I've looked through a few posts but can't get a straight answer.

    Im due to replace my brake fluid. Its testing ok but the bike is now three years old. This is my first abs harley and the dealership wants $200 to do them.

    What are people using to bleed the abs module on an M8 tourer?
  • Retroman
    Retroman
    27 days ago
    ABS has been on most models since 2011, and all models not long after that. So it's been the norm since forever

    You are "supposed" to bleed them while using the dealer Digitech machine to cycle the ABS unit. Hence the $200 !

    What I (and other privateers) have done is carefully open the master cylinder with the bars oriented the correct way to give a flat "horizon" then suck the old fluid out with a wee syringe. Clean carefully then top off with new.

    Now I do the next stage with a wee vacuum pump, adapter tubes onto the opened/loosened bleed nipple(s). 2 if twin disc.
    Helps if you have a steady handed mate to carefully top off the master cylinder as you vacuum pump the new fluid thru'.

    DO NOT pump the brake lever at all, that's what the ABS setup don't like apparently. You can't cycle the ABS at home without some kind of electronic gizmo but you get the biggest % of the old fluid out this manual way.

    I have seen Indy car workshops follow the same route as I just described, all 4 wheels off on a ramp, but they also take all 4 nipples loose with tubing, an ice cream container or similar under each tube, and let gravity do the work on all 4 calipers at the same time, with an apprentice topping off the master cylinder as the level drops. Again no brake lever pumping.

    Best of luck with it, and I use DOT 5.1 now (not DOT 5 Silicone unless the bike is pre 2006)
  • Trunksie
    Trunksie
    27 days ago
    Quoting Retroman on 03 Aug 2025 01:28 AM

    ABS has been on most models since 2011, and all models not long after that. So it's been the norm since forever


    You are "supposed" to bleed them while using the dealer Digitech machine to cycle the ABS unit. Hence the $200 !

    What I (and other privateers) have done is carefully open the master cylinder with the bars oriented the correct way to give a flat "horizon" then suck the old fluid out with a wee syringe. Clean carefully then top off with new.

    Now I do the next stage with a wee vacuum pump, adapter tubes onto the opened/loosened bleed nipple(s). 2 if twin disc.
    Helps if you have a steady handed mate to carefully top off the master cylinder as you vacuum pump the new fluid thru'.

    DO NOT pump the brake lever at all, that's what the ABS setup don't like apparently. You can't cycle the ABS at home without some kind of electronic gizmo but you get the biggest % of the old fluid out this manual way.

    I have seen Indy car workshops follow the same route as I just described, all 4 wheels off on a ramp, but they also take all 4 nipples loose with tubing, an ice cream container or similar under each tube, and let gravity do the work on all 4 calipers at the same time, with an apprentice topping off the master cylinder as the level drops. Again no brake lever pumping.

    Best of luck with it, and I use DOT 5.1 now (not DOT 5 Silicone unless the bike is pre 2006)

    Ive had twin cams but never one with ABS. I usually hook up and vacuum pump each line from The calliper.

    I know some guys do this then head out activate the ABS a few times on a ride then bleed again
  • B0nes
    B0nes
    27 days ago
    Quoting Retroman on 03 Aug 2025 01:28 AM

    ABS has been on most models since 2011, and all models not long after that. So it's been the norm since forever


    You are "supposed" to bleed them while using the dealer Digitech machine to cycle the ABS unit. Hence the $200 !

    What I (and other privateers) have done is carefully open the master cylinder with the bars oriented the correct way to give a flat "horizon" then suck the old fluid out with a wee syringe. Clean carefully then top off with new.

    Now I do the next stage with a wee vacuum pump, adapter tubes onto the opened/loosened bleed nipple(s). 2 if twin disc.
    Helps if you have a steady handed mate to carefully top off the master cylinder as you vacuum pump the new fluid thru'.

    DO NOT pump the brake lever at all, that's what the ABS setup don't like apparently. You can't cycle the ABS at home without some kind of electronic gizmo but you get the biggest % of the old fluid out this manual way.

    I have seen Indy car workshops follow the same route as I just described, all 4 wheels off on a ramp, but they also take all 4 nipples loose with tubing, an ice cream container or similar under each tube, and let gravity do the work on all 4 calipers at the same time, with an apprentice topping off the master cylinder as the level drops. Again no brake lever pumping.

    Best of luck with it, and I use DOT 5.1 now (not DOT 5 Silicone unless the bike is pre 2006)

    Quoting Trunksie on 03 Aug 2025 01:33 AM

    Ive had twin cams but never one with ABS. I usually hook up and vacuum pump each line from The calliper.


    I know some guys do this then head out activate the ABS a few times on a ride then bleed again

    This is what I do. Never had a problem, also test fluid for moisture on a regular basis.
  • Trunksie
    Trunksie
    27 days ago
    Quoting Retroman on 03 Aug 2025 01:28 AM

    ABS has been on most models since 2011, and all models not long after that. So it's been the norm since forever


    You are "supposed" to bleed them while using the dealer Digitech machine to cycle the ABS unit. Hence the $200 !

    What I (and other privateers) have done is carefully open the master cylinder with the bars oriented the correct way to give a flat "horizon" then suck the old fluid out with a wee syringe. Clean carefully then top off with new.

    Now I do the next stage with a wee vacuum pump, adapter tubes onto the opened/loosened bleed nipple(s). 2 if twin disc.
    Helps if you have a steady handed mate to carefully top off the master cylinder as you vacuum pump the new fluid thru'.

    DO NOT pump the brake lever at all, that's what the ABS setup don't like apparently. You can't cycle the ABS at home without some kind of electronic gizmo but you get the biggest % of the old fluid out this manual way.

    I have seen Indy car workshops follow the same route as I just described, all 4 wheels off on a ramp, but they also take all 4 nipples loose with tubing, an ice cream container or similar under each tube, and let gravity do the work on all 4 calipers at the same time, with an apprentice topping off the master cylinder as the level drops. Again no brake lever pumping.

    Best of luck with it, and I use DOT 5.1 now (not DOT 5 Silicone unless the bike is pre 2006)

    Quoting Trunksie on 03 Aug 2025 01:33 AM

    Ive had twin cams but never one with ABS. I usually hook up and vacuum pump each line from The calliper.


    I know some guys do this then head out activate the ABS a few times on a ride then bleed again

    Quoting B0nes on 03 Aug 2025 02:07 AM

    This is what I do. Never had a problem, also test fluid for moisture on a regular basis.

    Yeah I do, just tested the other week and it is still fine. It's just 3 years old so thought I would change it.
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