Now that the master cylinder has been rebuilt, it's time to install it on the Shovelhead. After install, I'll bleed the brake and finally button up the brake system.
Rocky, great video. Wrenching on a 1980 FLH. Keep your FLH video repairs coming if you still wrench and ride old shovels. Some good visual tips here. Dave
Thanks so much! I’ll do my best to continue making videos of the different projects I’m working on. Always glad to share as well as learn something new
At first, I was just going to mention how bad it looked that you did not cover the paint job on the bike before working overhead with parts that will fall and or swing down. Then.... I saw you actually lay the front master cylinder down right on top of the paint of the right tank. Then you leave four loose screws in the housing laying atop the tank split which is where all loose screws fall to die. I use ELL shape hex wrenches to spin off those mounting screws in the housing rather than use a full length 3/8 drive ratchet. You're just begging to drop it on the paint job. But, if you are using less than DOT 5 brake fluid, you're going to mar the paint anyway with spillage from filling or from the bubbleback of pumping the brake lever with the master cylinder opened up. The way you keep the brake fluid from going everywhere is not by covering everything with rags. Take a piece of clear tubing and push it over the bleeder after you put the 6 point 3/8 wrench on the bleeder nut. Put the other end of the tube into a small hole made into the cap of an old plastic soda bottle. Now, you capture and take to recycling all the brake fluid that pumps out while bleeding. Or, do what I do and use a Mityvac to bleed the brakes. I also see that you did not reconnect the brake light wire into the master cylinder housing. You might want to at least mention that you forgot or just don't use the rear brake light when using the front brake to stop. Those front brake light wires are the biggest pain in the butt to reconnect and keep connected while you put the housing back together. I appreciate you making your own videos. But if you are making them for instruction for others, just please use best practices at least. Thanks for trying to help others. Lots of Shovelhead owners out here and we are the front line of maintaining them. I've had my 77 FLH for over 35 years. Overall, 1 thumbs up for ya. And a subscribe to all.
Hey There! Thanks for the reply. I appreciate that you took the time to comment on the video. Yes. I do need to get protective covers for the tanks and fenders. With this paint set, I am not being cautious with it as I know I will be replacing it. But you are correct, I should be practicing the correct procedures. I do plan to buy a brake bleeding system this year. Tubing would be great and I will have to find some in the meantime. With the brake light switch. Sadly there is not wiring in the hosing for that switch and it is something I will need to address in the future. It is feedback like this that is very helpful and I appreciate so much. I will do my best to continue to grow my skills and produce better quality videos.
