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How To Change Brake Fluid?

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Old Dec 20, 2011 | 10:02 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by thenewrage
Where can you buy the mity vacs?

Harbor Freight for one place

or Northern Tool I think
 
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Old Dec 20, 2011 | 10:18 PM
  #12  
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If you don't have a MightyVac or any other bleeder and you don't want to buy one, you can do it completely manually.

Open the bleeder, depress the pedal/lever, close the bleeder, release the pedal/lever. Repeat the process as many times as necessary until you have clean, clear fluid coming out the bleeder. And the same caution not to let the master cylinder run dry still applies.

As for type of brake fluid, it should be marked on the master cylinder cap, e.g., DOT3, DOT4, DOT5, etc.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2011 | 10:22 PM
  #13  
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Does this mighty vac thing hook up to both calipers on the front, or is it only necessary to use it on one of the two?
 
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Old Dec 20, 2011 | 10:28 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by Lakerat
Anyone try this with just SpeedBleeders instead of the Mity Vac?
Yep, Real easy. Pump out the old and pour in the new as you go.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2011 | 10:31 PM
  #15  
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brake-Fluid-...#ht_1304wt_952

I have one similar to this, very fast and easy. I like to start by evacuating the cleaning the master cylinder reservoir first, I've seen some nasty gunk floating/sticking to the housing that I wouldn't want pulled through the rest of the system. The rest of the job is simple as mentioned, keep the reservoir topped up as you pull ( or push ) it through until you have clean fluid at the bleeder screw.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2011 | 12:18 AM
  #16  
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I see everyone says to not let the master cylinder go dry, but why not? Don't you want to get all that crap out of there and wipe the reservoir clean, then fill it with fresh fluid?
 
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Old Dec 21, 2011 | 12:30 AM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by Chunker
Harbor Freight for one place

or Northern Tool I think
Thanks. Wish I would've know this yesterday, as I was at northern tool. O well.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2011 | 12:35 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by mglax13
I see everyone says to not let the master cylinder go dry, but why not? Don't you want to get all that crap out of there and wipe the reservoir clean, then fill it with fresh fluid?
They say this so you dont introduce any air into the brake system. There is a ball valve at the bottom of the reservoir, as long as you dont squeeze the brake lever with the m/c empty you wont get any air in the lines. I usually do this and wast the m/c with denatured alcohol and a dust free towel, than fill with fresh fluid and flush. If you squeeze the brake with empty m/c the valve will suck air inside, than you run the likelihood of air pockets, which will hang up somewhere in the system and you can get a soft brake or if the bubble was large enough you can have complete brake failure.
Its easy to see the new fluid coming out after youve watched all the old dark stuff come out.
 

Last edited by bagman1; Dec 21, 2011 at 12:40 AM.
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Old Dec 21, 2011 | 06:04 AM
  #19  
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It is best not to introduce air into the brake system. It will make your life easier.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2011 | 06:59 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by drspencer
Can someone please give me a 'how-to' on changing brake fluid on a non-ABS bike?

Is this a one man job?

Is there a preferred type of brake fluid to use?

Thanks
What yr is yours?? Older models used Silicone DOT 5 fluid.. if you use regular fluid.. you will destroy your seals in the calipers...
 
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