WARNING

Inspect brake pads for wear at service maintenance intervals. If you ride under adverse conditions (steep hills, heavy traffic, etc.), inspect more frequently. Excessively worn brake pads can lead to brake failure, which could result in death or serious injury. (00052a)

NOTE

Master cylinder cover specifies correct brake fluid.
When adding or changing brake fluid, be sure to use only the type specified for your motorcycle.
Use only Harley-Davidson D.O.T. 4 HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID (Part No. 99953-99A).
Do not mix D.O.T. 4 with D.O.T. 5 brake fluid.

1.	Refer to Maintenance Scheduling → Regular Service Intervals: Softail Models → Regular Service Intervals: 2009 Softail Models . Check brake pads and brake discs for wear at proper intervals.
2.	Check the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoirs at proper intervals.
3.	If level is low, clean dirt and debris from reservoir cover before removing.
	NOTICE DOT 4 brake fluid will damage painted and body panel surfaces it comes in contact with. Always use caution and protect surfaces from spills whenever brake work is performed. Failure to comply can result in cosmetic damage. (00239c) WARNING Contact with DOT 4 brake fluid can have serious health effects. Failure to wear proper skin and eye protection could result in death or serious injury. If inhaled: Keep calm, remove to fresh air, seek medical attention. If on skin: Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse skin immediately with plenty of water for 15-20 minutes. If irritation develops, seek medical attention. If in eyes: Wash affected eyes for at least 15 minutes under running water with eye lids held open. If irritation develops, seek medical attention. If swallowed: Rinse mouth and then drink plenty of water. Do not induce vomiting. Contact Poison Control. Immediate medical attention required. See Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for more details available at sds.harley-davidson.com (00240e)
4.	Add D.O.T. 4 HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID (Part No. 99953-99A) if necessary.

NOTE

Use only D.O.T. 4 HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID (Part No. 99953-99A) approved for brake system use and available from your Harley-Davidson dealer.

Harley-Davidson has provided your new motorcycle with the optimum brake pad friction material available. It is selected to give the best performance possible under dry, wet and high operating temperature conditions. It exceeds all regulatory requirements currently in effect. However, during some braking conditions you may experience noise. This is normal for this friction material.

WARNING

Brakes are a critical safety component. Contact a Harley-Davidson dealer for brake repair or replacement. Improperly serviced brakes can adversely affect brake performance, which could result in death or serious injury. (00054a)

See Figure 1. Visual inspection of brake pads can be made without removing the caliper. View the lower area of each caliper with a flashlight.

WARNING

Perform routine scheduled brake maintenance. Lack of maintenance at recommended intervals can adversely affect brake performance, which could result in death or serious injury. (00055a)

WARNING

Always replace brake pads in complete sets for correct and safe brake operation. Improper brake operation could result in death or serious injury. (00111a)

NOTE

If the brake pad friction material is 1.02 mm (0.04 in) thick or less, the pads must be replaced immediately.
Always replace brake pads in pairs.

The rear brake outer pad on all models can be measured from the caliper bracket side using a thin plastic 152.4 mm (6.0 in) rule. Place the rule against the brake disc through the space alongside the caliper.

The outer surface of the brake pad backing plate should measure 1.02 mm (0.04 in) or more away from the brake disc.

NOTE

Replace pads if brake friction material is 1.02 mm (0.04 in) or less above the backing plate.

1	Front brake bottom view
2	Rear brake top view

Figure 1. Brake Friction Material