Shovelhead Project Part 6: Brake Caliper Rebuild and Other Vintage Harley Fun!

[@FourIntoOne]

'82 ironhead sporty rider from the UK here. Thanks for the content man, much appreciated, keeps this UK Harley rider in the groove 👍

[@steph6934]

I've had terrific results bleeding front brakes going from the bottom up. Using a syringe to push the oil up, taking care not to overflow the reservoir and ruin the paint. From time to time I would jerk the syringe forth and back quickly to move the air trapped inside the caliper. Thanks a lot for posting your work like this, that's the real thing. You actually gave me the final push to dive into this kind of project. So motivating! Thumbs up!

[@michaelwoods761]

😂 every time the rooster makes his presents known, gets me laughing. Reminds me of the old family home I grew up, that sucker I heard everyday for 25+ years.

[@buttcrackcycles]

He's become a reoccurring character on this channel for sure 🤣 when I finally get a web store setup with shirts I might have to make a rooster one 😂

[@terrymassey7619]

I was going to suggest the grease gun trick, then you showed it, good video man!

[@buttcrackcycles]

You know what they say about great minds...(I'm still trying to find mine)

[@Mr39knuck]

Amen, I bought a similar bike and can’t wait to change the forward controls and that stupid rear fender. It has been my experience at Harley. Front disc Brake systems are lousy, unfortunately. I think you can get p.m. calipers but they’re ridiculously expensive. Your bike is looking good. Nice work!

[@buttcrackcycles]

Thanks! Yeah the PM stuff is pricey. This will be fine, not like I'm trying to go racing. Good luck with your bike

[@michaelmitchell5909]

Great video man....love that bike, especially the bars, don't change the bars those are awesome....can't wait to see you paint the tins. By the way, id bet you Tatro Machine would have calipers for you bike man...

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yeah I really like those bars, I'm glad I put them on

[@benderbender1233]

youtube.com/@jfrost77hd?si=gq9NLQUiEFTD7zwd hasa bunch 0f parts t00. 🤙

[@toddbeckham5169]

Ever heard of Dennis Kirk ? They should have the calipers or any other parts you're looking for. I built a 1975 Shovelhead last Winter and DK earned a lot of business while building my bike.

[@buttcrackcycles]

I've bought some stuff from them, at the time I made this video nobody had calipers in stock. The rebuild job I did on them seems to be holding up just fine though!

[@DeanAWhite-gr8eo]

@@buttcrackcycles I'll bet that Dennis buys his calipers from Ted. That'd be Tedd Cycles, AKA V-Twin manufacturing. But there was a long dry spell of parts during covid, and many things still haven't caught up! Regards.

[@buttcrackcycles]

@@DeanAWhite-gr8eo I actually got started with an application to be a V Twin dealer then got side tracked and never faxed it over 😅

[@DeanAWhite-gr8eo]

Wish I'd thought of this sooner, A great upgrade for your front brakes is to find the sliders from an '84-'86 FX or XL (Yes, they really are the same) With the 11 1/2-inch single rotor on the left side. This is a much more powerful braking system than the dual 10-inch rotors are. I know this because I have dual 10" rotors on an '82 XL and a '79 FX. The single caliper with 11 1/2" rotor on my '85 XL works very well, and far better than any dual 10" system I've ridden. I've rebuilt all 4 calipers (both bikes) upgraded pads and rotors, and they are "better" than they were, but even now, you need to use the rear brakes hard. On the '"85, you can forget that there is a rear brake! Keep the videos coming, I'm really enjoying them! Regards!

[@buttcrackcycles]

@@DeanAWhite-gr8eo that's a great tip, I may end up trying that out on the shovel!!

[@rjoetting7594]

Try annealing the copper washers, heat with a torch just until they start to change color, then quench in water. That will bring them back to soft, and they should seal again.

[@buttcrackcycles]

That's a great tip!

[@rjoetting7594]

@buttcrackcycles I actually learned about annealing nonferrous metals in the aircraft industry. I also have owned a 1978 Flh for twenty plus years. It's been through many changes throughout the years,(bobber/chopper) and this winter, I am at it again, top end rebuild, and I will remove everything that isn't necessary for it to start and go (minimalist) it's already kick start only, BDL 3" open primary, up-sweep Santee pipes, the frame, tanks, engine, and transmission are all stock and original to bike (electronic ignition, S&S high volume oil pump excluded) everything else has been changed through out the year's.

[@buttcrackcycles]

@@rjoetting7594 sounds like a cool ride man, love that you've kept it going all these years. I'm familiar with annealing brass for reloading ammo, but never thought about it on the copper washers. Great tip

[@boxfullofbluzeg2235]

Must be nice...2 inches of snow up here in yankeeland..You said you couldn't find calipers? Locally or on interweb?

[@buttcrackcycles]

Looked online, unavailable everywhere I could see! I would love it to be cold and snowing here, not a hot weather person

[@robertglmn]

Hey Paul, the video you made when doing the brake calipers, after putting them back on, looked like there was something leaking on the back side of the right caliper onto the rotor, I thought maybe you could not see it so I wanted to let you know to check for a leak if your brake fluid was low in your master cylinder, well talk again.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Probably just some residual fluid from bleeding it I hadn't cleaned up yet. Thanks for looking out

[@robertglmn]

OK have a good one till next time@@buttcrackcycles

[@Oneguyinc.]

Can’t use a 5/8 on a 3/4 bore master