Need help with front brake blee
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 763
Likes: 15
From: New Jersey
Need help with front brake blee
Have a 2014 road King, no Abs or linked brakes. I installed 14 inch apes and replaced the brake lines with longer ones. I've been trying to bleed the front brakes for 2 days now. Can't get anything. I charged the lines, and get the flow from the bleeders to no air bubbles. Have no prime at all at the brake lever. Even emptied it and started over, nothing. Lines are secure. Any suggestions, could it be the resoroir? Thanks.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 65
From: Earth
I have had the same issue after changing lines. I had to pump the chit out of the lever to get the master cylinder to start priming. Maybe 100 pulls or so.
Last edited by SpiderPig; Jun 16, 2016 at 10:00 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 24
From: Washington
Are the fittings on the ends of the cables chromed or powder coated, specifically on the flat sealing surfaces? If so, it is likely not smooth enough to provide a good seal (even with copper washers). I have ran into this before with aftermarket lines, had to scrape or sand the sealing surfaces.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 217
From: Puyallup Wa.
Watch carefully for the slightest of air bubbles. Using a zip tie your lever will not be all the way to pressed it will just be partially pulled and then zip tie over night.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
The master cylinder has air in it. The suggestion of pumping the hell out of the lever is one way, or break loose the fitting at the master cylinder and bleed it by pulling the lever then tighten the fitting before the lever bottoms out. Do that several times then bleed the calipers and it should be good to go. May still have to pump the lever some. Its just messy trying to bleed the cylinder on the bike and there is a risk of getting fluid on paint, which is bad.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 885
Likes: 14
From: SoCal
Trending Topics
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,412
From: USA
Bleed at the fitting where the line joins the master cylinder. Messy, but very effective.
Air bubbles can rise quickly in the column of fluid in the brake line, quicker than you bleed them down many times. Which is why so typically regular bleeding just doesn't work when replacing that line.
Air bubbles can rise quickly in the column of fluid in the brake line, quicker than you bleed them down many times. Which is why so typically regular bleeding just doesn't work when replacing that line.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
