bleeding front brakes
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 569
Likes: 7
From: Massachusetts
bleeding front brakes
I'm swaping out my bars as part of winter mods. Going to swap out front brake lines for braided. I have heard that its a pain in the a$$ to bleed the front brakes. I did the search here for tools and really didn't come up with much. Speedbleeder, a HF cheap bleeder ect. any tools or ideas that will help would be appricated.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
Speed bleeders are cool if you don't have a buddy around. They have a little check valve in them. You crack them loose like you normally would to bleed but then you can just squeeze the lever and also gently let the lever go without having to close the port over and over. When your done tighten her down and your done! Instant one man job.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: arizona
Speed bleeders are cool if you don't have a buddy around. They have a little check valve in them. You crack them loose like you normally would to bleed but then you can just squeeze the lever and also gently let the lever go without having to close the port over and over. When your done tighten her down and your done! Instant one man job.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
WOOPS.........I think the proceedure ain't that simple with abs......I was speaking of a straight bleed. I sure don't want to screw you up with bad info when were talking abs brakes.
Please Do your research and speak to someone other than me cause you have ABS. I swear I read that there was a different proceedure because of the module. Were talking Brakes here so I want you to be safe.
Please Do your research and speak to someone other than me cause you have ABS. I swear I read that there was a different proceedure because of the module. Were talking Brakes here so I want you to be safe.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 2
From: Eaton, OH
Bleeding the brakes on these bikes is the same as bleeding brakes on any other vehicle except for the ABS module, which you don't have. With ABS, you'd need to be careful not to get any air into the module or you may have to have the dealer connect your bike to what's called a Digital Technician to cycle the module to help get the air out of the system.
I've put Speed Bleeders on my current bike and one bike before this one. To me, they are the easiest way to bleed brakes, especially if you're doing it yourself. I've tried a number of vacuum bleeders and never got them to work very well. With Speed Bleeders, you'll lose a little fluid when you initially install them, but after that it's easy As someone else said, open them about a quarter turn, attach a hose and a collection container for the old fluid, and pump until the old fluid is flushed out.
If you order the Speed Bleeders directly from the manufacturer, you might want to consider getting the ones made of stainless steel as they should last a little longer and consider getting their drain bag to collect the old fluid. It can be emptied and used several times.
Ensure you keep the reservoir full and don't get any fluid on any paint or it will damage the paint.
Also, don't forget to flush the rear brakes also.
My manual says to flush the brakes twice a year. Keep in mind this maintenance is a time based service not a mileage based one. Even if you only ride a few miles a year, it should still be done.
Good luck.
I've put Speed Bleeders on my current bike and one bike before this one. To me, they are the easiest way to bleed brakes, especially if you're doing it yourself. I've tried a number of vacuum bleeders and never got them to work very well. With Speed Bleeders, you'll lose a little fluid when you initially install them, but after that it's easy As someone else said, open them about a quarter turn, attach a hose and a collection container for the old fluid, and pump until the old fluid is flushed out.
If you order the Speed Bleeders directly from the manufacturer, you might want to consider getting the ones made of stainless steel as they should last a little longer and consider getting their drain bag to collect the old fluid. It can be emptied and used several times.
Ensure you keep the reservoir full and don't get any fluid on any paint or it will damage the paint.
Also, don't forget to flush the rear brakes also.
My manual says to flush the brakes twice a year. Keep in mind this maintenance is a time based service not a mileage based one. Even if you only ride a few miles a year, it should still be done.
Good luck.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Speed Bleeders are not recommended when the brake lines are first installed. You will wear yourself out trying to build the pressure needed when lines are completely dry. Do a routine bleed after installing brake lines and then....install Speed Bleeder for future maintenance.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 466
Likes: 16
From: Montgomery,Il.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 601
Likes: 5
From: Pinellas County, Florida
I have a moeller marine oil extractor, I jerry rigged a hose that fits perfectly on the bleeder screw, I just changed the brake fluid in my van they say you should change it every 2 - 3 years. Just pump it up and watch the bubbles come out. You just have to smear some grease around the threads of the bleeder so it doesn't suck air through them. whichever way you do it you might have to pump the lever and crack the banjo bolt, sometimes a bubble hangs out up there.
Last edited by collin; Feb 2, 2012 at 07:19 AM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Just did mine yesterday. At first I thought I could just put the brake fluid in the resevoir and pump the lever to get the fluid into the line. Well, that doesn't work. I didn't have a vaccuum or anything, but I did have 10 feet of 3/8 tubing that I was going to cut and use on the bleeder valve when I bled them. I cut it in half, put a peice on each valve, opened the valve on one side, sucked on the end of the hose and wouldn't ya know it, it worked. Did the other side, no problem. At that point I bled them the old fashioned way. I had a little air in one side and none in the other. I am sure this might not be the prefered method, but it damn sure worked for me, And the hose was 5 feet long so there was no danger of me sucking up the brake fluid and no posibilty of any moisture from my breath getting in the fluid. I got the hose at Lowes for 3 bucks. Easy enough.