Loose Bleeder Valve

[Mattel]

I did a good pre trip as I have for over 40 years. This happened about 1000 miles into a several day excursion. When a bleed valve comes loose it is not something that is visible or gradual. It gets to the point where it is no longer restraining fluid and wonelly no brakes.

Now to my Harley/Champion

Dear factory rep. I LOVE MY CHAMPION and I really do.

Tmigala,
I lost my front bleeder valve, and had fluid all over, but I still had breaks in addition to my emergency brake. Granted, it does not provide good stopping power as the peddle goes almost to the floor, but it does stop. I was later told by TBMS that the Stallion system is designed to provde braking power from the rear if you loose your front, and viceversa. It feels like you lost everything, but you don't on a Stallion.

 

[Gorilla]

Thanks Mattel I know TBMS uses the Ford Dual Master Cylinder with dual reservoir. I'm just letting people know that the bleeder valve can work loose like it did on both of our Stallions. This is unusual in my opinion. I've driven/ridden well over a million miles in my 50 years of driving/riding and have never encountered one doing that before. Leaking cylinders and calipers yes, but not bleeder valves backing out. Rear braking alone was very poor. Glad you did not have a serious problem from it also.

 

[Mattel]

Funny thing was mine did not back out by itself. Mine was not the bleeder, but the Banjo bolt! It had help from a mechanic who replaced the forks. He did not fully tighten it up and it backed out on my trip to Bike week last year. I put locktight on everything, and I was disapointed that he did not. I heard it slap the bottom of my bike at 70mph and the brake fluid bath ensued! I was not happy, but that's life.

 

[Papa Zook]

Huh? You factory guys actually monitor us??

OK everybody... let's pile on the new guy!! :blush:

You all might be interested to know that most if not all major trike manufacturers on the planet are aware of this site and visit it, some on a daily basis. How do I know? I talk to many of them regularly and get calls from them when something is posted in error or that they disagree with. Remember, these companies are run by people just like you and me...good people who are themselves trike enthusiasts of the highest order. They have taken their passion and turned it into a business and deserve our respect and support because without them we wouldnt be driving these wonderful machines we so dearly love. Like us, they are not perfect and can and do learn from us and the experiences and opinions we post here. That is why I appreciate every single one of them and try not to publicly favor one over the other. They are all making excellent products and are constantly improving their designs.

Randy

 

[Nauga Mok]

This bleeder coming loose by it's self is highly unusual. Before I got into heavy equipment, I worked in the Taxi Fleets here in 'Vegas. Some of those fleets were all Ford. These cars AVERAGED 100,000 mi/year & ran for 4 years. With fleets of 50 - 60 cars, that's a LOT of miles per year, & I've NEVER seen this happen. These cars averaged a brake job every 60 - 90 days, so there were plenty of opprotunities for someone to miss-tighten a bleeder, but it never happened -- nor did one come loose on it's own. I'm not saying it CAN'T happen, but I'd suspect it had some help like not being tightened fully. Banjo fittings should not need locktite due to the crush washers on both sides of the fitting acting as lock washers. In heavy equipment, these fittings are used a LOT & here again, they don't come loose by them selves. The only thing I can suggest is to double check these points everytime some one else works on our trikes. Like Zook sez, The masnufacturers are only human & can make a mistake now & then -- Mechanics fall into that catagory too. The only way NOT to make mistakes is NOT do ANYTHING!!

NM

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Pretty much the same thing on my site Zook. I get a kick out of teasing them and every once in a while I'll get a posted "snicker" out of one. :yes:

 

[Papa Zook]

I got a call a few days ago from one of the majors letting me know who made what degree steering rake for what bike. Seems someone had posted some info in error. I appreciated the call and getting the correct information straight from the horses mouth.

 

[Mattel]

Funny thing was mine did not back out by itself. Mine was not the bleeder, but the Banjo bolt! It had help from a mechanic who replaced the forks. He did not fully tighten it up and it backed out on my trip to Bike week last year. I put locktight on everything, and I was disapointed that he did not. I heard it slap the bottom of my bike at 70mph and the brake fluid bath ensued! I was not happy, but that's life.

Sorry I mispoke, It was the brake caliper bolt that flew off, not the banjo. Same result, but lock tight was needed there. The caliper started rotating on the remaining bolt when I hit the brakes, and the fluid started flying.