Front brake issues
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 494
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From: Kadena AB Japan
Front brake issues
Ok first off....this is not the first time I have messed with brakes, nor is this the first time i have made custom lines. In fact I have been using the same company for the lines for years (fittings are a different story)
Ok so the front brakes worked before hand, the issues was the new bars where slightly longer....and therefore needed to get rid of the hard line.
I ordered the line and the fittings and everything bolted up fine....but i don't have near enough fluid coming out on the caliper end. when i bleed the rear brake it came out solid and a good stream (brake fluid that is)
the front barely trickles out almost as if there is a ton of air in there.
I have tried standard bleeding, gravity bleeding...getting pissed and shaking the hell out of it to see if air surfaces but nothing. either there HAS to be air in there somewhere or something is messed up
Is it a common problem for air in the front line? I have though about pulling the front caliper and bringing the piston in to ensure there is no room for air and starting there but suggestions would be nice..
my only weirdness is the top banjo fitting...while it fits it is smaller than the washers which is odd to me... here are pics of both
Ok so the front brakes worked before hand, the issues was the new bars where slightly longer....and therefore needed to get rid of the hard line.
I ordered the line and the fittings and everything bolted up fine....but i don't have near enough fluid coming out on the caliper end. when i bleed the rear brake it came out solid and a good stream (brake fluid that is)
the front barely trickles out almost as if there is a ton of air in there.
I have tried standard bleeding, gravity bleeding...getting pissed and shaking the hell out of it to see if air surfaces but nothing. either there HAS to be air in there somewhere or something is messed up
Is it a common problem for air in the front line? I have though about pulling the front caliper and bringing the piston in to ensure there is no room for air and starting there but suggestions would be nice..
my only weirdness is the top banjo fitting...while it fits it is smaller than the washers which is odd to me... here are pics of both
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 20
From: NE Pennsylvania
Just keep on bleeding them. Your post says you've messed with brakes before, but I'm not clear on if you've replaced the front line before.
When I changed mine out, I was very surprised about how long it took to bleed all the air from the lines. I was sure something went wrong.
Eventually the air gets worked out and the lever becomes firm.
Good luck!
When I changed mine out, I was very surprised about how long it took to bleed all the air from the lines. I was sure something went wrong.
Eventually the air gets worked out and the lever becomes firm.
Good luck!
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
Yeah I've seen Brake Master cylnders "Cavatate",,they can loose prime.
you could try holding the calliper ABOVE the Master cylinder,,see if ya get any air out
like that.
Or take the line off the caliper and hold that up,,,pump the master and see,,
I doubt the banjo size Is an issue,,,
Careful I ain't no expert !
you could try holding the calliper ABOVE the Master cylinder,,see if ya get any air out
like that.
Or take the line off the caliper and hold that up,,,pump the master and see,,
I doubt the banjo size Is an issue,,,
Careful I ain't no expert !
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 130
Likes: 2
From: Corinth, MS
I just went thru the same thing. I've replaced lines on other bikes before too. Take the bottom banjo bolt off and pump to see if any fluid is coming out, it was only a tiny drop on mine. I even went and pulled apart the master cylinder and it was all good. It took me about 2 hours of pumping the brake handle to get the pressure built up and I'm not exaggerating.
edit:If I ever have to do it again I will spend the money on a brake bleeder.
edit:If I ever have to do it again I will spend the money on a brake bleeder.
Last edited by daltrey; Dec 23, 2010 at 01:51 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
It may help a bit if you collapse (close) the front caliper piston all the way before you start bleeding. 
Hmmmmm, maybe I mean open the caliper piston all the way first.
Hmmmmm, maybe I mean open the caliper piston all the way first.
Last edited by xFreebirdx; Dec 23, 2010 at 06:13 AM.
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Tourer
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From: Kadena AB Japan
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I don't think that's what he meant, but I've had success by removing the master cylinder cover, clamping the lever in the "pulled" position, and then letting it sit that way overnight. The air seems to slowly migrate up the line and out through the MC.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
From: Kadena AB Japan
That's worth a shot. It is easy enough lol