Bleeding Brakes
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 130
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From: Boerne, TX
Bleeding Brakes
I recently changed the bars on my wifes nightster and had to replace the Brake line. I had to drain all the fluid before cause I really dont want to screw up the paint. It seems to be going nowhere with the bleeding I used a piece of plastic hose that came with an oxygen tank setup for someone that needed it home medical usage thingy..... It fit perfectly over the bleedoff valve and stuck the end into a mason jar. Stuffed the top of the jar with paper towel to keep bugs and dirt out. Filled the resevoir with fluid and sucked the air out with me mouth. Still aint got no pressure no brakes. I sucked most the fluid out of the resevoir and need to add more but if I open the resevoir wont air get back into the line???
How many times do I have to do this to build up pressure in my brake line? Should I spend 40 bux and get the bleeder tool from autozone???
How many times do I have to do this to build up pressure in my brake line? Should I spend 40 bux and get the bleeder tool from autozone???
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 4
From: Augusta, GA
Once you have oil from the master cylinder to the brake caliper bleeder valve, you may need to just shut the bleeder valve, wrap a rubber band around the brake lever and, walk away for a few hours to let any air bubble in the line find its way to the top.
Be patient, it'll happen.
Be patient, it'll happen.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,214
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From: Tacoma, WA
Keep the hose on the bleeder valve and the valve closed. Make sure the resevoir is perpendicular to the floor then fill with fluid. Crack the bleeder valve slightly then pump the brake handle to push the fluid through. You may need to cycle fluid through a few times (up to 4) before you get a flow. Once you get flow through the line you are almost done. Repeat filling the resevoir, cracking the bleeder and cycling through the fluid a bit more to push out the bubbles. Once you think the bubbles are all out close the bleeder and make sure that when you pull the brake lever it is firm. No air will enter the system when you remove the resevoir cover if you keep fluid in the resevoir.
Hope this helps some.
You could also gat a large syringe to connect to the bleeder hose and pull the fluid through.
Hope this helps some.
You could also gat a large syringe to connect to the bleeder hose and pull the fluid through.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 782
Likes: 7
From: Texas
I use a couple of turkey injector syringes and a clear hose and work from the caliper (low side), push and pull the fluid in and out of the master cylinder and refill as needed, tap the caliper and hoses to keep the air bubbles loose.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
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From: Palm Harbor fl.
fastest method for me was to pump 50 times then loosen the bleeder while applying pressure to the lever continue till lever is firm. I use a brake bleeder kit I got from auto store. It is an inexpensive kit with just a clear plastic bottle with a magnet and some hose to attach to the valve.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 130
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From: Boerne, TX
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fastest method for me was to pump 50 times then loosen the bleeder while applying pressure to the lever continue till lever is firm. I use a brake bleeder kit I got from auto store. It is an inexpensive kit with just a clear plastic bottle with a magnet and some hose to attach to the valve.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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When I did my apes, I had a tough time also.
Someone told me to take the top cap off and keep squeezing the lever till all the bubbles float to the top.
Keep squeezing till you no longer get bubbles.
Just squeeze slowly so that you don't splash fluid everywhere.
Someone told me to take the top cap off and keep squeezing the lever till all the bubbles float to the top.
Keep squeezing till you no longer get bubbles.
Just squeeze slowly so that you don't splash fluid everywhere.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
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From: Northwest
I'll add my bits here also. I recently replaced my bars.
After replacing the line, turn the handlebars all the way to the left so you can get your reservoir on the level. You don't want to put your reservoir cover back on, 'cause you are going to need to top it off during the procedure. I've bled brakes about every way you can, but I now use a small hand pumped, vacuum pump. You can do the same thing with the turkey baster and tubing. Fill the reservoir, put the hose on the bleeder, crack the bleeder open and start drawing a vacuum on it. After drawing a couple of tablespoons (rough measurement there) close bleeder and check/top off the reservoir.
Repeat a couple of times, till you get clear oil ( no crap in it ). I then close the bleeder, top off the reservoir, and start slow pumping the brake handle. Compress the handle, and crack the bleeder open. Once you compress fully, close bleeder before releasing the handle. Once you've done the previous stuff, this step should only take 3 or 4 compressions to build pressure. Check reservoir again, and make sure the rubber diaphram in the reservoir cover is all tucked up into the cover, screw it on. Readjust the grips if you need to.
That's how I did it. May work you too
After replacing the line, turn the handlebars all the way to the left so you can get your reservoir on the level. You don't want to put your reservoir cover back on, 'cause you are going to need to top it off during the procedure. I've bled brakes about every way you can, but I now use a small hand pumped, vacuum pump. You can do the same thing with the turkey baster and tubing. Fill the reservoir, put the hose on the bleeder, crack the bleeder open and start drawing a vacuum on it. After drawing a couple of tablespoons (rough measurement there) close bleeder and check/top off the reservoir.
Repeat a couple of times, till you get clear oil ( no crap in it ). I then close the bleeder, top off the reservoir, and start slow pumping the brake handle. Compress the handle, and crack the bleeder open. Once you compress fully, close bleeder before releasing the handle. Once you've done the previous stuff, this step should only take 3 or 4 compressions to build pressure. Check reservoir again, and make sure the rubber diaphram in the reservoir cover is all tucked up into the cover, screw it on. Readjust the grips if you need to.
That's how I did it. May work you too