I am wondering if anybody knows were to find a connection not that i am going to be pulling it off and on but may help in bleeding the brake system. its an 05 harley and an 01 sidecar
Originally written by chesapeake on 5/3/2007 11:49 AM
I am wondering if anybody knows were to find a connection not that i am going to be pulling it off and on but may help in bleeding the brake system. its an 05 harley and an 01 sidecar
I have a 2004 HD with a 2007 TLE sidecar with 2004/5 matching paint.
Instead of connecting the rubber brake line directly into the Tee under the transmission side cover, I used a 12" long 3/16" extension brake line going almost straight up with just two bends. The upper end comes out just ahead of the passenger floorboard mount screw.
This raises the brake line up to a point so that it remains full of brake fluid when the sidecar brake line is disconnected. (As you know, there is a back to back female 3/16" coupler at that point. )
So, assuming that your brake system is all buttoned up and bled properly, in order to remove the sidecar brake line when removing the sidecar, you merely open the line and plug both ends with a 3/16" plug. It will be necessary to source an additional 3/16" back to back female coupler and plug to use to plug the flexible rubber sidecar brake line. It's not neccessary at that time to re-bleed the motorcycle rear brake since there is no air introduced.
When re-connecting, it is necessary only to bleed the sidecar caliper. This makes it so that you will not need a quick disconnect.
Also, it is necessary to make a clamp to hold the top end of the 12" extension brake line from vibrating. I made a flat metal strap that bolts to the upper rear mounting bolt with a small plastic clamp on the front end to hold the upper end of the extention pipe.
It worked for me. LOL Any questions?
P.S. I just uploaded a picture of the brake line extension. It took some doing to figure out how to upload a photo here. Try this.
http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=299
I might add that even a disconnect under pressure Parker Style hydraulic disconnect would introduce air in the line. Besides, the rubber "o" rings in a standard hydraulic coupler will not be compatible with brake fluid.
It's a can do with fuel lines but not a brake line.
Parker offers "zero loss" connector sets and they also offer nitrile seals that are compatible with brake fluid. I used one on a Flexit sidecar rig. They are special order for most dealers and you'll have to crawl through the catalog to find them. If they tell you that the seal isn't available push them to look further, it is available. BTW, these aren't cheap; I believe I paid about $90 for the right seals and a locking version.
Thanks for all the tips, the photo realy helped!,, wish I had the ability to figure stuff out lick this on my own , but I just ain't that smart!,, again Many thanks ,, Chesapeake
I have a Hannigan sidecar on my Honda. It came with a quick disconnect, looks pretty slick, althugh I have not used it yet.
Not sure what brand, perhaps you culd call them?
If a sidecar comes with a quick disconnect, that's great but I sure wouldn't spend $90 for one. All that is required is that the brake line connection be higher than the rear caliper and the master cylinder. Then you can open the line to remove the sidecar and plug it without re-bleeding the bike. then, all you have to do when re-connecting the sidecar is to bleed the sidecar brake. Here's a hosted photo to make it easier to view.
Russel brake line makes a quick disconnect. I think I paid around $42 from my Drag Specialties dealer. J&P Cycles has it listed for $38. My set up is an 05 with a 02 sidecar. With a couple of other fittings from the auto supply it works very well. Can connect and disconnect without having to bleed the system. http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=8A691AA0-B28F-45DE-A311-B1FFFA34136C&brand=russell
Originally written by Sanity FLHTCI on 5/7/2007 5:19 AM
Russel brake line makes a quick disconnect. I think I paid around $42 from my Drag Specialties dealer. J&P Cycles has it listed for $38. My set up is an 05 with a 02 sidecar. With a couple of other fittings from the auto supply it works very well. Can connect and disconnect without having to bleed the system. http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=8A691AA0-B28F-45DE-A311-B1FFFA34136C&brand=russell
Well. that's not too bad of a price. I'd still be hoping that no air got into the system when I connected- or disconnected
Considering also that I probably will only remove the sidecar to work on the engine when needed, maybe every couple of years, I would probably change brake fluids and bleed the system at that time anyway.
If a person intends to remove the sidecar and replace it frequently, I'd certainly wan to have a quick disconnect.
