Im going to change out my front calipers for some red ones. I can't seem to find the process in the manual to actually take off the calipers(only has how to change pads).

Can someone offer advice on this job. Do I bleed the lines empty, change, and then bleed through again? Obviously my first time doing this.

Thanks,
Steve

 

If this is on your 2009 and you haven't changed the brake fluid in the whole system yet, then I would take the time to do so while you're at it. Take banjos off, take calipers off, install new calipers, reattach banjos with new washers and bleed the system as you change all the fluid in the system.

 

Thanks Dawg...when I take the banjos off, won't it start to leak fluid? Should I take all fluid out before I puton the new calipers. Yes, this is the 09 and I haven't changed it, so I will now, just want to make sure I do it right. Is there somewhere in the manual that I'm missing?

 

Just did mine. Bled all the old fluid out, removed and reinstalled calipers, then used a mityvac to recharge the fluid. I do not have abs.

 

Great....that'll be my plan of attack too......thanks.

 

the Miti Vac is worth its weight in gold.

Please remember brake fluid will eat through paint, so you want to cover anything like the gas tank, fender, fairing, etc with wet cloths and if anything gets brake fluid on it you want to hit it with lots of water.

If you are going through all this trouble have you considered new upgraded lines too?

new crush washers, proper torque, fresh fluid, new lines... you'll feel the difference

 

Consider a set of speed bleeders. Bleeding the brakes with those is child's play. Plus it's a one man job.

 

i've got the hand held mityvac that I've used on cars. Assuming that's what you are talking about. and no, i hadn't looked into upgrading the lines...i suppose I'll read up on that tonight and see if I want to tackle. I don't think the new calipers came with any washers...is that something I'll need?

 

the crush washers are cheap, you can get them at the dealer or any NAPA should have them on the shelf. Just try to get an idea of what the torque on the banjo is for the new caliper. Same thing if you replace lines you'll need to know the torque at the master cylinder banjo and at the splitter connection.

replacing the lines is no big deal. A quality braided line won't expand when pressurized and that means more power goes to the calipers.

again, keep the fluid off the paint

 

I'm curious as to why you don't paint the calipers you have? It can be brushed on and there's no bleeding afterwards.
Also, if you go forward with the change-over do not drain the master cylinder. As long as you don't move the lever no brake fluid will come out of it (cover the gas tank anyway).