Bleeding Front Brakes
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 10
From: South Dakota
Bleeding Front Brakes
For those of you who have bled your front brakes how long did it take? I have been working on this for 2 1/2 hours and still no luck. I have bled the brakes on an entire car quicker than this is taking. First I tried pumping the handle, then I rigged up a syringe and hose to try to draw the fluid down and the lever is still like it isn't even hooked up to anything. Everything worked fine before I changed out the line for a longer one and now this. What am I missing here or does it just take this damn long to do???? I need more beer!!!
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 567
Likes: 11
From: San Diego
When I did mine after half an hour of pumping and bleeding I found an article on this forum about it. I ended up pulling the lever back, tieing it off and letting it sit like that over night. Came out the next morning tapped on the top of the reservoir, released the lever and I had brakes.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Try rolling backwards and checking the brake, mine felt spongy until I rolled it out of the garage after several frustrating attempts.
I would invest in the Russell Speed Bleeders, they make life much easier. DOT 5 is a bit tougher to bleed on the front because from what I understand it tends to keep the air up high in the line. Not to mention just the fact of pumping it down the line in the first place is not natural.
I would invest in the Russell Speed Bleeders, they make life much easier. DOT 5 is a bit tougher to bleed on the front because from what I understand it tends to keep the air up high in the line. Not to mention just the fact of pumping it down the line in the first place is not natural.
After having done the bleeding procedure I got rid of the spongy grip by loosening the bolt which holds the breake line at the master cylinder just a tiny bit and thus squeezing out the air from the plunger.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 8
From: Corpus Christi,Texas
check to make sure everything is tight nothing worse than pumping air back into the system thru a loose connection. once you are satisfied that everything is cinched up crack the bleeder and let gravity do what gravity do. once you get fluid dribbling out cinch the bleeder and do the pump and bleed thing works for me but then again all of the above post seem logical to me good luck stay safe and keep smiling.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 10
From: South Dakota
Thanks for all your responses and tips I will try them all since my sense of humor disappeared long ago. I did pick up another 18 pack of Bud Lite though so life is getting better all the time.
Trending Topics
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 11
From: PacNW; Beacon of Conservatism in a Sea of Liberals.......AZ Snowbird; Just another Conservative
I had a similar hassle when I replaced my stock line with a Diamondback Braided. I think the problem lies with trying to fill that empty line just by pumping the lever. I finally sucked the line full of fluid (like starting a siphon hose), attaching the lower end, then cycling a full reservoir of fluid using the lever and normal bleed proceedures...PITA!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 3
From: Chesterfield, VA
First time I had to bleed my brakes, I tried the tradition method without success. I invested in a $30.00 manual vacuum pump from a auto parts retailer. Worked awesome and took less than five minutes. Have used the vacuum pump several times since and am convinced this is the way to go.