How to tell if my motorcycles have bad brakes?

There are a couple of different indicators that will tell you have issues with your brakes. If you have worn our brake pads or shoes, you will notice poor braking performance combined with loud squeaky brakes, and grooved brake rotors. If you notice your brakes are squeaking, take a moment to look at the brake pads, If the material on your brake pad that makes contact with your brake disc is 1/8” thick or less, it’s probably a good time to change your brake pads. If you notice your brakes feel soft, or the pressure in the hand lever is fluctuating, or if your brakes are getting really hot and your notice the brakes are dragging when they are not being applied, you may have dirty fluid, a bad caliper, or a reservoir that needs to be rebuilt.

Do I need to replace brake fluid when changing brakes?

No, if you are just changing your brake pads or shoes, you don’t usually need to change your brake fluid. It is always good practice to check your fluid level when you do change your bake pads. It should look clean and translucent. If your brake fluid looks murky and thick, it is probably time to drain it out and replace it with new clean fluid. This is done by bleeding the old fluid out of the system while replacing it with new fluid simultaneously.

How many miles do motorcycle brake pads last?

The length of time your brake pads will last is depends on numerous things. How heavy your bike is, how aggressively you ride, what type of brake pad you choose to run. Organic brake pads tend to wear faster than sintered brake pads, because they are made from softer materials. Good practice is to check your brake pads a few times a year. Just give them a good look every now and then to make sure the pad material is not getting too thin. They all wear differently so there is no rule on brake pad wear.

When to change motorcycle brake pads?

You need to change your brake pads if the brake material is worn down, or if you notice a decrease in brake performance and you already determined you don’t have any issues with other components of your braking system. If you know your brake pads are really old or if you have concern that they have been corrupted by oil or other chemicals that could cause the brake pad material to fail. This would be a good time to change your brake pads and give the calipers a good look to make sure everything is functioning as it should.

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Brakes

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Colony #3224-3 Brake Switch Clip Kit 1966 - 1947 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLH XLCH — Colony #3224-3 Brake Switch Clip Kit 1966-1974 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLH/XLCH - Parkerized
3 reviews $20.89

Colony #8811-16 Brake Drum Bolt Kit Rear Stock 1968-1978 Harley-Davidson Sportster OEM# 3970B - Chrome Plated
6 reviews $20.85

Colony #9739-2 Front Brake Cable Adjusting Screw 1941-1948 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1941-1957 45 Servicar - Chrome Plated
$20.65

Colony #2755-4 Rear Brake Caliper Mounting Allen Kit 2008-Up Harley-Davidson Softail/Dyna - Chrome Plated
$10.29

Colony #8794-10 Disc Front Brake Rotor to Hub Torx Screw Kit 1984-Up Harley-Davidson FXST/FXWG - Chrome Plated
$20.27

Colony #2080-4 Front Brake Caliper Mounting Allen Kit 2000-2007 Harley-Davidson FX/FL - Chrome Plated
$20.11

Colony #2754-12 Front Brake Caliper Mounting Allen Kit 2008-Up Harley-Davidson Softail/Dyna - Chrome Plated
$19.97

Colony #8812-16 Rear Brake Drum Bolt Kit 1966-1978 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
3 reviews $19.67

Colony #9677-4 Rear Brake Cross Shaft Nut & Lock Kit 1930-1957 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
1 review $17.92

Colony #3663-10 Disc Rotor Allen Screw & Nut Kit 1979-1991 Harley-Davidson XL/FX (Spoked Wheel) - Chrome Plated
$17.88

Colony #8792-5 Disc Brake Rotor to Hub Flat Allen Screw 1980-1981 Harley-Davidson FLT OEM# 1643 - Chrome Plated
1 review $17.14

Colony #8409-4 Rear Brake Cross Shaft Nut & Lock Kit 1930-1957 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
$20.31

Colony #8831-10 Disc Brake Rotor to Hub Screw & Nut Kit 1978-1983 Harley-Davidson FXWG - Chrome Plated
1 review $16.01

Colony #2192-3 Brake Line Hex Banjo Bolt 7/16-24 Thread OEM 41739-84A - Chrome Plated
$15.64

Gasbox Rear Master Cylinder Relocation Bracket for 2004-2022 Harley-Davidson XL Lowbrow Customs Hardtails and Gasbox Full Frames
$15.00

Colony #2081-3 Rear Brake Caliper Mounting Allen Bolts 2000-2007 Harley-Davidson FX/FL/XL - Chrome Plated
$14.89

Colony #2313-10 10mm Copper Brake Line Banjo Bolt Crush Washers Harley-Davidson OEM# 41732-04 - 10 pack
4 reviews $14.52

Colony #2760-3 Front Brake Cable to Fork Clip 1936-1948 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1941-1957 45s 1941-Up Servi-car - Parkerized
1 review $7.15

Colony #3599-7 Front Wheel Brake Cable Tube Clamp 1952-E1958 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL/XLH/XLCH - CAD Plated
$13.31

Colony #2041-7 Front Wheel Brake Cable Tube Clamp 1952-1972 Harley-Davidson KH/XL/XLH/XLCH 1971-1972 FX - CAD Plated
1 review $13.31

Cycle Standard Brake Pedal Rubber 1971-1975 Harley-Davidson FX (except FXWG, FXST) OEM# 42394-65
$6.64

Colony #3709-5 Disc Brake Rotor Allen Screw Kit 1980-1981 Harley-Davidson FLT Cast Wheels - Zinc Plated
$12.10

Colony #3705-2 Brake Caliper Bleeder Screws 2009-Up Harley-Davidson Touring 2008-Up V-Rod - Chrome Plated
$10.29

Colony #3195-2 Brake Caliper Bleeder Screws 2004-Up Harley-Davidson XL 2015-Up Softail - Chrome Plated
1 review $10.29

Colony #2600-2 Brake Caliper Bleed Screws 1983-2004 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1983-2003 XL - Chrome Plated
4 reviews $10.29

Cycle Standard Master Cylinder Gasket Harley-Davidson OEM #45012-72
13 reviews $5.04

Colony #3291-2 Brake Cable Clevis Clamp & Nut 1949-1971 Harley-Davidson EL/FL/FLH 1971-1972 FX 1952-1972 K/XL 1951-1971 45's/Servicar
2 reviews $9.68

Colony #3330-3 Brake Rod Clevis Pin Kit 1952-1974 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL - CAD Plated
2 reviews $4.24

Colony #3448-5 Disc Brake Rotor To Hub Allen Screw Kit 1974-1977 Harley-Davidson FX/XL - Zinc Plated
$7.87

Colony #2326-3 Brake Arm Anchor Stud Kit 1935-1952 Harley-Davidson KL/WL/WLA/WLC - Parkerized
1 review $7.45

Colony #3044-7 Foot Brake Lever and Bracket Mounting Kit 1936-1971 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Parkerized
$6.38

Colony #9734-7 Foot Brake Lever & Bracket Mounting Kit 1936-1971 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Parkerized
1 review $6.38

Colony #9733-7 Foot Brake Lever & Bracket Mounting Kit CAD Harley-Davidson 1936-71 - CAD Plated
2 reviews $6.38

Colony #3741-4 Banjo Brake Caliper Bleeder Bolt 2008-Up Harley-Davidson Touring 2006-Up VRSC - Chrome
$19.80

Gigacycle Garage Universal 4 Piston Rear Brake Caliper Bracket for Rigid Frame Or 1982-2003 Harely-Davidson Sportsters
$278.57

Colony #3570-10 Front Disc Brake Rotor Allen Screw Set 1978-1983 Harley-Davidson FXWG - Zinc Plated
$11.20

Colony #3517-2 Front Brake Lever Clevis Pin 1952-1972 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL 1971-1972 FX 1951-1957 Servi-car - Parkerized
$7.57

Colony #3437-1 Brake Cross Over Shaft Lever - Left End - 1939-1957 Harley-Davidson Sidecars - Parkerized
$38.50

Colony #3488-8 Brake Lever Connecting Links Kit 1930-1957 Harley-Davidson Sidecars - Parkerized
$31.90

Colony #3484-4 Front Brake Cable Adjuster 1955-1972 Harley-Davidson KH Sportster - CAD Plated
$22.00

Colony #3483-3 Front Brake Cable Adjuster 1952-1954 Harley-Davidson K/KH - CAD Plated
$22.00

Colony #8624-2 Front Brake Cable Adjusting Screw 1941-1948 Harley-Davidson Big Twin/45's 1941-1957 Servi-Car - CAD Plated
$21.12

Colony #9740-2 Front Brake Cable Sleeve Adjuster 1928-1940 Harley-Davidson All Models - Chrome Plated
$17.14

Colony #9683-2 Front Brake Cable Sleeve Adjuster & Nut 1928-1940 Harley-Davidson All Models - Parkerized
$15.52

Colony #9207-4 Rear Brake Anchor & Pivot Kit 1952-1972 Harley-Davidson K/XL - Chrome Plated
$40.56

Colony #9004-2 Brake Cable Lubricator 1930-1938 Harley-Davidsons OEM# 4142-30
$30.04

Colony #8938-2 Front Brake Cable Sleeve Adjuster & Nut 1928-1940 Harley-Davidson All Models - CAD Plated
$15.52

Colony #2362-3 Pike Nut 12mm Brake Line Banjo Bolt 7/16-24 thread Replaces OEM# 41739-84A - Chrome Plated
$15.64

Colony #2361-3 Pike Nut 12mm Brake Line Banjo Bolt 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$15.64

Colony #2359-3 Pike Nut 10mm Brake Line Banjo Bolt 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$14.16

Colony #2309-6 Foot Brake Lever Stud Oversized 23/32" OD 1936-1938 Harley-Davidson
$27.07

Colony #2526-4-P Rear Master Cylinder Mounting Kit Smooth Allen 1984-1985 Harley-Davidson FX - Chrome Plated
$10.44

Colony #2950-1 Lower Brake Cable Clamp 1940-1952 Harley-Davidson 45s & Servi-car - CAD Plated
$8.80

Colony #2883-3 Front Brake Cable Adjusting Screw 1949 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
$22.00

Colony #2820-2 Brake Cable Lubricator 1930-1938 Harley-Davidson All Models
$30.04

Colony #2804-2 Front Brake Cable Sleeve Adjuster and Nut 1928-1940 Harley-Davidson All Models - Parkerized
$15.52

Colony #2803-2 Front Brake Cable Sleeve Adjuster and Nut 1928-1940 Harley-Davidson All Models - CAD Plated
$15.52

Colony #2802-2 Front Brake Cable Sleeve Adjuster and Nut 1928-1940 Harley-Davidson All Models - Chrome Plated
$17.14

Colony #2565-3 Rear Brake Caliper Anchor Arm Bolt Kit 1981-1985 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
$11.13

Colony #3002-5 Rear Brake Switch Pull Kit 1939-1952 Harley-Davidson 45s - Parkerized
$31.89

Colony #3001-5 Rear Brake Switch Pull Kit 1936-1952 Harley-Davidson 45s - CAD Plated
$31.89

Colony #2970-3 Brake Banjo Bolt 10mm Pike 2013-Up Harley-Davidson Dyna 2014-Up Touring/XL 2015-Up Softail - Chrome Plated
$14.16

Colony #3196-2 Zinc Plated Brake Caliper Bleeder Screws 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 2015-Up Softail - Zinc Plated
$8.47

Colony #3432-3 Brake Lever Stud Kit 1930-1931 Harley-Davidson 74" Twins 1932-1938 45" Twins 1932-1936 74" & 80" Twins - Parkerized
$19.67

Colony #3429-3 Brake Lever Stud Kit 1932-1938 Harley-Davidson 45" Twins 1932-1936 74" & 80" Twins - Parkerized
$19.67

Colony #3376-4 Brake Arm Clamp Bolt Kit 1929-1931 Harley-Davidson Singles 1932-1934 45 Twins 1932-1934 21" Singles - Parkerized
$6.66

Bare Knuckle Performance Antihero Stainless Steel Front Brake Rotor - 11.5 inches Pre-1999 Harley-Davidson Models No Speedo Drive
$249.00

Cycle Standard Forward Control Brake Lever - Chrome - Harley-Davidson OEM# 42580-99
$47.26

Hawg Supply Lee Brake Pedal For 1936-1956 Harley-Davidson Big Twin With Mechanical Brakes
$199.99

V-Factor Motorcycle Parts 18 Spoke Black Stainless Steel Brake Rotor - 11.5 inches - Rear - Replaces Harley-Davidson OEM# 41789-92/41797-00
$89.95

Cycle Standard Brake Pedal Pad 1965-Up Harley-Davidson FL OEM# 36956-65TA
$22.07

Colony #3743-5 Disc Brake Rotor Allen Screws 1982-1985 Harley-Davidson FLT Cast Wheels - Zinc Plated
$13.20

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