How to Change a Front End Brake on a Harley

Harley-Davidson motorcycles come standard with front and rear disk brakes

Harley-Davidson motorcycles come standard with front and rear disk brakes. Front brakes sometimes consist of a left and right dual rotor configuration. Changing out the front brakes requires changing out all disks on both front rotors at the same time. This replacement should occur whenever pad thickness falls below 1/16 of an inch. Inspect pad thickness after every 2,500 miles of riding.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cross-tip screwdriver
• Hex wrench set
• SAE nut driver set
• D.O.T. silicone brake fluid

1. • 1

     Loosen and remove the screws from the front brake master cylinder with a cross-tip screwdriver. Remove the top of the master cylinder and set it aside on a clean surface.

   • 2

     Remove the two large mounting bolts on the front brake master cylinder with a large hex wrench. Lift the master cylinder assembly off of the rotor and allow it to hang by its hydraulic hose.

   • 3

     Take off the pad retaining screw on the inner pad with a nut driver. Pull off the inner pad and pad retainer.

   • 4

     Push on the brake caliper piston by hand to cause the piston to retract into the caliper assembly. Insert the new outer pad into the spring clip and push this into position on the brake caliper.

   • 5

     Insert the new inner pad into position with the pad retainer. Insert and tighten the pad retaining screw with a nut driver.

   • 6

     Reposition the brake caliper back onto the disk rotor. Insert and tighten the two mounting bolts with a large hex wrench.

   • 7

     Pump the front brake lever several times by hand until the disk brakes come into contact with the rotor.

   • 8

     Fill the front brake master cylinder to the full line with D.O.T. 5 silicone brake fluid. Reinstall the cover to the master cylinder.

Tips & Warnings

• Use caution to avoid getting brake fluid onto the brake pads or rotors.