Bleed front brakes
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, Ca.
Bleed front brakes
Working on a 2003 FXST
Bike has been sitting for a few years. Decided to change out the fluid.
Took the bleeder loose and pumped the front brake lever a few times and pumped all the fluid out. Lever has NO resistance.
Poured in new DOT 5 and still cannot get any resistance on the lever nor fluid to come from the bleeder. Tried with cap on and off. Bleeder open and shut. NOTHING. ZERO resistance.
Lef tthe bleeder cracked and left it for a couple hours. Still nothing. NO resistance. Cannot get fluid to push through by actuating the lever.
I did NOT loosen the main brake line at all.
What gives here?
Bike has been sitting for a few years. Decided to change out the fluid.
Took the bleeder loose and pumped the front brake lever a few times and pumped all the fluid out. Lever has NO resistance.
Poured in new DOT 5 and still cannot get any resistance on the lever nor fluid to come from the bleeder. Tried with cap on and off. Bleeder open and shut. NOTHING. ZERO resistance.
Lef tthe bleeder cracked and left it for a couple hours. Still nothing. NO resistance. Cannot get fluid to push through by actuating the lever.
I did NOT loosen the main brake line at all.
What gives here?
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, Ca.
Man, I have never used a vacuum bleeder before after doing lots of brakes (non on a Harley).
I have pumped that lever like 1000 times and still nothing. Frustrating.
I guess I will go get a vacuum bleeder tomorrow
I have pumped that lever like 1000 times and still nothing. Frustrating.
I guess I will go get a vacuum bleeder tomorrow
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 295
Likes: 26
From: Western CT
X2 on the Miti Vac. Next time you decide to flush your brakes, DON'T let the master cylinder go dry. Simply add new fluid until it comes out clean at the caliper while you bleed and Voila! you're done.
Trending Topics
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Windom TX
A mechanic friend showed me the easiest way to change brake fluid in a bike. Open the master cylinder and either use a syringe to suck out the fluid or blue shop towels to soak it up. Fill it with new fluid and bleed the line till new fluid is coming out. Top it off and put cover back on and your done. Takes about 10 minutes or less.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
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
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 494
Likes: 63
From: Bay Area, CA
With the cap off, pull the lever very slowly. If bubbles come up, there is air trapped in the MC. Two ways I have read to fix this - pull the lever 100's of times until the air is worked out, or tie the handle back overnight. I have never tried the second fix, but have used the first one on 2 bikes and it fixed the problem.
The first step is to use the Miti-vac to make sure there is no air in the line - that could still be the problem. Once that is done, if the handle is not firm, check for bubbles in the MC when you pull the handle.
Last edited by chrisj49; Jan 4, 2017 at 02:20 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, Ca.
A mechanic friend showed me the easiest way to change brake fluid in a bike. Open the master cylinder and either use a syringe to suck out the fluid or blue shop towels to soak it up. Fill it with new fluid and bleed the line till new fluid is coming out. Top it off and put cover back on and your done. Takes about 10 minutes or less.