Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

bleeding brakes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 23, 2012 | 09:07 PM
  #1  
zworld's Avatar
zworld
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Default bleeding brakes

Any tips to get some pressure pumped up in the front brake, so that I can bleed them? Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2012 | 09:22 PM
  #2  
SprungDave's Avatar
SprungDave
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 47
From: Lake Tahoe California
Default

Assuming you just changed the front brake hose and have fluid in the M/C, I would use a mighty vac and pull the fluid down to the caliper. If you do not have one, you can put a tube on the bleeder valve at the caliper, put the other end into a cup with some brake fluid in it and open the bleeder valve (leave it open). Gravity will pull the fluid through the line. It will take some time (like over night, but it should give you enough fluid through the line to be able to pump-bleed the fluid with the brake lever.
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2012 | 09:29 PM
  #3  
zworld's Avatar
zworld
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks dave, thats what I was looking for. I should have some tubing.
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2012 | 11:10 PM
  #4  
Ash16's Avatar
Ash16
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 1
From: Rowlett, Texas
Default

+1 for the mighty vac. Speed bleeders are a great investment too.
 
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 08:44 AM
  #5  
shooker's Avatar
shooker
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 890
Likes: 3
From: Central CT
Default

Try a basting syringe or one of those sqeeze bulbes that ya suck out a babies nose with and a piece hose and push the fluid up from the bottom.
 
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 11:50 AM
  #6  
str8jacket's Avatar
str8jacket
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: USA
Default

Originally Posted by shooker
Try a basting syringe or one of those sqeeze bulbes that ya suck out a babies nose with and a piece hose and push the fluid up from the bottom.
Yep, this is what I do with a big syringe (I also use the syringe in combination with a vacuum gauge for testing for vacuum leaks).

Pushing the brake fluid in from the bottom is by far the fastest and easiest way IMO (based on my personal experience).
 
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 12:24 PM
  #7  
Schex's Avatar
Schex
Club Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,803
Likes: 7,830
From: SE Louisiana
Riders Club Member
Default

I used a different rig, but pushing it up from the bottom works best for me too.
 
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 08:04 PM
  #8  
zworld's Avatar
zworld
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Default

Ok, gravity bleed didn't work. Mity vac is 40 bucks. Too much, I want to try thr sirynge first, where can I find one? Thanks
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 09:24 PM
  #9  
Ash16's Avatar
Ash16
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 1
From: Rowlett, Texas
Default

I would try a feed or farm store. I would think that they would have them for horses. I have never seen them for sale. I think AutoZone has brake bleeding kits that are cheaper than the mity vac though.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2012 | 05:58 AM
  #10  
Tom84FXST's Avatar
Tom84FXST
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Default

Originally Posted by Schex3x
I used a different rig, but pushing it up from the bottom works best for me too.

 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:05 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE