Bleeding new brake lines
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 11
From: Oklahoma City
Bleeding new brake lines
I'm trying to button up the RK with new braided lines. Also got speed bleeders, and evidently I'm doing something wrong because I have nothing at the brake lever now. Can't seem to get any fluid through the lines and down into the calipers for the speed bleeders to work their magic. I do have a MityVac that I've never used (actually forgot I had it); I thought the speed bleeders would be easier. The bleeders worked fine when I bled out the old lines before removing them and running the new. Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong? Thanks as usual for any and all help!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
Got to have fluid in the lines and build up pressure before the speed bleeders will work. Use the mighty vac on the open bleeder to pull the fluid down through the lines. Then try the bleeders again.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 39
From: Southern Ontario
Also make sure there is resistance on the pads, if you pushed the pistons back in the bores. I was pulling my hair out when bleeding my front last summer. As soon as I put a brass shim between the pad and rotor BAM she started to build pressure. Hope it helps.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,551
Likes: 6
i use a large plastic syringe I got from the horse vet....I slip a piece of clear tubing over the tip and connect to caliper bleed screw.......then I loosen upper banjo and wrap a rag around it.....Then push all air up and out the upper banjo..........takes ten minutes.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
oinker02's got it.I bought a syring and with a tube connected to the bleeder reverse bleed the fluid up to the fluid bank.This may take 2 people and you'll want to remove the cover and then lay a rag over because you'll need to work that brake lever at the same time till the fluid comes to the top.As I said if you put enough pressure to the caliper it will squirt out a few feet and or run down the bars.You'll need to do both sides and keep the fluid bank as level as possible.Been there and done that made the mess.Hope that'll work for ya.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 11
From: Oklahoma City
Thanks everyone for the suggestions - I think I'll do the MityVac first and see if I can get it done with as little mess as possible. Once I get 'er all good I'll post a pic - just to share the glory!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
also, use something to tap the brake line with to knock loose any air bubbles, and try the 'tickle' method on the brake lever. sometimes a full squeeze is counterproductive, but slight bumps on the lever will get more air out.
its a pita, good luck.
its a pita, good luck.
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