Motorcycle Repair: harley rear brakes, caliper piston, brake master cylinder

Question
i have a 05 883c xl i replaced the rear tire and installed new rear brake pads i have tried to bleed the brakes but still have no rear pedal pressure or tail light function

Answer
Mike, this is a stretch for me, as I am NOT a H-D guy at all. If you just removed old pads and pushed the caliper piston back in, I can't see how you would have lost fluid or gotten air into the fluid system. If you pulled the piston out to clean the caliper and then put it all back again, then I can see how you might have a problem. There are small brake bleeding kits at auto parts stores, or you can make one from an old lidded bottle/jar and some tubing. Put a few inches of brake fluid in the bottom of the container, then attach the clear tubing to the bleed nut and then the other end gets submerged into the fluid at the bottom of the container. This will prevent air from being drawn back up the line, as you pump the rear master cylinder to bleed the system. Depending on the mileage on the bike, perhaps the brake master cylinder needs a new repair kit inside or the small bleed holes are blocked in the bottom of the reservoir or master cylinder fill line connector.

I assume you meant that you don't have a brake light, not tail light, which is the only thing related to brake repairs. Brake light switches are either hydraulically actuated or linked to the brake arm linkage. The mechanical switches must be adjusted, when the brake arm stop is changed or there is damage from a fall. If the switch is hydraulic, then it won't work until the master cylinder builds pressure again.

Bill MrHonda Silver