Sometimes, my brain just isn't working. This may be one of those times. When I was putting my old bagger away for the winter last fall, I thought the front brakes were pretty much lagging. After I got it up on the lift, I bled the brakes and they were fine all winter, every time I walked by it, I checked them. Got it out in the spring, filled it with gas and drove it around town a while. When I got ready to take it out again, no front brakes. I put it back on the lift and decided to put kits in the front calipers and went to bleed them. I always have "pushed" fluid up from the bottom, getting all the air out of the master, then bleeding them out. When I was pushing fluid up, I couldn't get any into the master. I took it apart and it looked good. Put a new kit in it anyway. If I loosen up the banjo bolt, I get plenty of fluid so the brake lines haven't collapsed. I even tried the old master and still am doing something wrong. I am pretty baffled. Worked on the brakes on this thing for 20 years and never had an issue. Basically I have new kits in calipers and master. Someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong here. I've went through over a quart of brake fluid. Something my brain is missing. Thanks, Bear

 

the very small hole in the center bottom of the master is clogged

 

When that little hole gums up you will spend a lot of grey hair trying figure out what the hell is going on.
We should make a sticky about this .?

 

Hell, I already have a bunch of gray hair. I will take it apart again this weekend. I was thinking I sprayed some brake cleaner through the holes and compressed air but I will check, thanks, Bear

 

a very small sewing needle is needed

 

Spent another 4 hours completely disassembling the whole front brake system. Even flushed out the brake lines. Took the Master apart and verified the holes were clear and installed ANOTHER rebuild kit. Still not solved. I have another pair of hands coming over tomorrow to see what I am doing wrong. Since it has been sitting for about a month, I thought I better fire it up. Now I'm thinking the battery is shot. I used to only get a couple seasons out of a battery. I got this one from Advance Auto. The receipt says I bought it 5/11/2008. I guess 6 years is better than what I used to get. The reason I call this one "Old *****" is every time I mount her, she costs me money. Looks like more money going out.

 

Bleed them thoroughly again and strap the lever to the bars once you have a good brake, leave it 24 hrs and remove the tape, this has worked for in the past....especially with the later 4 pot calipers where one piston can lag and needs a little help to adjust up from time to time.

 

Bleeding brakes can be a bl33ding nightmare at times! Sometimes the darned things roll over in a blink, other times they can put up a real fight. Persistence pays - try Spanners' suggestion.

 

Spent another 4 hours working on trying to get brakes. Pumped up about a quart of fluid so no bubbles. After it sat for a couple minutes, no brakes again. Decided there must be a blemish in the bore of the master cylinder. Going to bite the bullet and go ahead and order a new master cylinder this morning. Along with a new battery. I have put three master cylinder rebuild kits through this thing and am tired on the time spent. Glad I have a trike so I don't have to depend on this old girl.

 

Are you sure the caliper is sliding free on the pins....I mean REALLY sure?