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Switching ABS to Non-ABS brake system

10379 Views 22 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  coastrider, 
Kevin.choe1983
Bike: 2009 VROD-NightRod

I know many have switched from ABS to Non-ABS brake system for multiple reason. I'm heavily considering doing the same due to HCU failure and the dealership estimates $700.

Could someone provide list of parts they've used and guidance on the procedure?

Thanks in advance
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mikeinatlanta
I believe you can simply eliminate the system by removing all parts and installing a set of standard brake lines from the masters to their respective calipers. You can get all parts needed to fabricate custom brake lines at Summit.
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R
Lines are a direct fit for swap from ABS to non ABS but a wire patch cord from top location of the brake switch to lower is needed.
Ron
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Athena
Would love to add abs brakes, but was told not feasible.
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coastrider
Athena said:
Would love to add abs brakes, but was told not feasible.
Click to expand...
Wouldn't want a HD ABS system on my bike!!:paper:
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R
coastrider said:
Wouldn't want a HD ABS system on my bike!!:paper:
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No doubt it's not the best system regarding the small bearing encoder but at least once it's kept me upright and stopped. I also do the 2 year flushes and cycle the ABS module while doing the fluid swap.
Ron
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coastrider
rbabos said:
No doubt it's not the best system regarding the small bearing encoder but at least once it's kept me upright and stopped. I also do the 2 year flushes and cycle the ABS module while doing the fluid swap.
Ron
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Appreciate what you are saying Ron but for me any ABS system that is designed to default to no brakes on failure, which appears to be the case from my readings here, doesn't do it for me.
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coastrider said:
Appreciate what you are saying Ron but for me any ABS system that is designed to default to no brakes on failure, which appears to be the case from my readings here, doesn't do it for me.
Click to expand...
Well yes, there is that pesky little problem too. Even though only one will fail, that can be bad enough if you need them. I guess the NHTSA doesn't care much about that fact either or they would have bitch slapped HD by now. HD got off easy with that stupid fluid flush recall, rather then having them replace units that were prone to corrosion. I suspect the HCU in later years, beyond the recall dates have plated valving to counter this and likely a different supplier and part numbers.
Ron
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coastrider
rbabos said:
coastrider said:
Appreciate what you are saying Ron but for me any ABS system that is designed to default to no brakes on failure, which appears to be the case from my readings here, doesn't do it for me.
Click to expand...
Well yes, there is that pesky little problem too. Even though only one will fail, that can be bad enough if you need them. I guess the NHTSA doesn't care much about that fact either or they would have bitch slapped HD by now. HD got off easy with that stupid fluid flush recall, rather then having them replace units that were prone to corrosion. I suspect the HCU in later years, beyond the recall dates have plated valving to counter this and likely a different supplier and part numbers.
Ron
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For sure!!
I reckon HD with all their misgivings must have some very influential friends in important places.
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coastrider said:
For sure!!
I reckon HD with all their misgivings must have some very influential friends in important places.
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One of them being the patent office. Don't ask me how I know.:mad:
Ron
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pfbmgd
coastrider said:
Appreciate what you are saying Ron but for me any ABS system that is designed to default to no brakes on failure, which appears to be the case from my readings here, doesn't do it for me.
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I`m not sure I understand this . If your ABS module fails you have no brakes ? I would have though just your ABS stops working . The brakes work like normal just no ABS function .
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coastrider
pfbmgd said:
I`m not sure I understand this . If your ABS module fails you have no brakes ? I would have though just your ABS stops working . The brakes work like normal just no ABS function .
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That's how a correct ABS system should work ( like everybody elses) but HD prefer a system that defaults to fail. Exactly as you say, when it fails you have no brakes on that half of the circuit. (front or rear)
To be clearer if the front unit fails you will only have a rear brake and vice versa.
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pfbmgd said:
I`m not sure I understand this . If your ABS module fails you have no brakes ? I would have though just your ABS stops working . The brakes work like normal just no ABS function .
Click to expand...
That's how it should work but HD used a :paper: system where it wouldn't do that. The HCU has dual valving for front and rear operation so if one valve sticks fluid will not travel to the brake it supplies because the orfice is blocked. This shows up as a rock hard lever or peddle and no brake function. Either front or rear can fail but both would be rare. It really is a stupid system and should have been outlawed as soon as the flaw was discovered. It seems NHTSA don't have balls when it comes to HD. On any car or truck, that would be slapped down so fast it would make your head spin.
Ron
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pfbmgd
rbabos said:
That's how it should work but HD used a :paper: system where it wouldn't do that. The HCU has dual valving for front and rear operation so if one valve sticks fluid will not travel to the brake it supplies because the orfice is blocked. This shows up as a rock hard lever or peddle and no brake function. Either front or rear can fail but both would be rare. It really is a stupid system and should have been outlawed as soon as the flaw was discovered. It seems NHTSA don't have balls when it comes to HD. On any car or truck, that would be slapped down so fast it would make your head spin.
Ron
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Thanks for the information . I can`t believe this was allowed to be put into production . I also can`t believe the government has not had a recall .
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Cabeca de Ferro
3
te=Kevin.choe1983;4724795]Bike: 2009 VROD-NightRod

I know many have switched from ABS to Non-ABS brake system for multiple reason. I'm heavily considering doing the same due to HCU failure and the dealership estimates $700.

Could someone provide list of parts they've used and guidance on the procedure?

Thanks in advance[/quote]

In fact, you do not even need to change the brake lines, if you install a nipple to join the cables will solve the problem more quickly. You can leave the entire electronic system connected so that it will not acknowledge any error code, since it will understand that the bike is not being braked and will not trigger the system. Text Drawing Font Illustration Sketch


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R
Cabeca de Ferro said:
te=Kevin.choe1983;4724795]Bike: 2009 VROD-NightRod

I know many have switched from ABS to Non-ABS brake system for multiple reason. I'm heavily considering doing the same due to HCU failure and the dealership estimates $700.

Could someone provide list of parts they've used and guidance on the procedure?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
In fact, you do not even need to change the brake lines, if you install a nipple to join the cables will solve the problem more quickly. You can leave the entire electronic system connected so that it will not acknowledge any error code, since it will understand that the bike is not being braked and will not trigger the system. View attachment 529697

View attachment 529699

View attachment 529701 [/QUOTE]
While this will work, if in an incident and the Insurance picks up on that, there could be a problem depending on country and company. Using OEM parts for converting, I suspect your ass will be covered since the factory would have built them this way also and a DOT approved system. Mods open up a can of worms sometimes.
Ron
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cherrybomb
So Ron are you going to tell us how you activate the ABS when you flush the system?

I flushed brakes after I got my bike even though it only had 6 miles on it but it had sat around unused for two years. The brake fluid was bad and the clutch fluid was horrible.
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cherrybomb said:
So Ron are you going to tell us how you activate the ABS when you flush the system?

I flushed brakes after I got my bike even though it only had 6 miles on it but it had sat around unused for two years. The brake fluid was bad and the clutch fluid was horrible.
Click to expand...
I bought TwinScan2 ABS to cycle the HCU.
https://www.amazon.com/Daytona-Twin-Tec-Scan-15202/dp/B00AC6X18K
I bought my bike in Nov of 2012 and only got 200kms on it before snow shut me down. Decided to go all over the bike and found the same. Clutch fluid was black with crusty shit in the master cyl . Brake fluid was looking ok but flushed any because I've read of several other HD having a high moisture content in the fluid, right from the factory. The clutch has remained clean as well as the brakes each time I've been in there. I can't explain the deal with the clutch fluid but several have reported the same. Almost like they are using the left over sludge at the bottom of the brake fluid barrels. LOL.
Ron
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P
Guys,

Thank you for shear your experience. Before I change from ABS to non-ABS, Didd anyone has any mechanical problem after changing to non-ABS?
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Night Ryder
rbabos said:
That's how it should work but HD used a :paper: system where it wouldn't do that. The HCU has dual valving for front and rear operation so if one valve sticks fluid will not travel to the brake it supplies because the orfice is blocked. This shows up as a rock hard lever or peddle and no brake function. Either front or rear can fail but both would be rare. It really is a stupid system and should have been outlawed as soon as the flaw was discovered. It seems NHTSA don't have balls when it comes to HD. On any car or truck, that would be slapped down so fast it would make your head spin.
Ron
Click to expand...

Wow, what a poor design.
Is it same parts all the way through 2017, or did they upgrade the system at some point?
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