My Speed Bleeder experience
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
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From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
My Speed Bleeder experience
A couple of weeks ago, I installed Lyndall Z-Plus pads all the way around. I really like these pads so far. The bike is coming up on two years old, so I thought it a good time to replace the old brake fluid with some new DOT 4.
I ordered 3 of the stainless steel Speed Bleeders for my 2010 FLHTK. I also ordered the $3 bleeder assist hose. Since there are several companies that make speed bleeding devices, here is a link to the main site:
http://www.speedbleeder.com
I could have picked up some of this hose at a hardware store, maybe, but since I was ordering and since gas is expensive I went ahead and ordered it with my Speed Bleeders. It's nice and soft, about 3 feet long, easy to slip on and off the bleeder. It actually fits on the bleeder nipple very nicely. It's always best to have a good grip on the nipples.
In addition and just to check them out, I ordered a couple of the bags that have a short piece of the bleeder hose built-in. Don't waste your money on these. The hose is not made from the same material as the separate hose I ordered. It's also short, way too short. Its stiff and not pliable. The bags would actually be positioned upside down once installed on an HD Brembo nipple. Forget that music.
After jacking up the bike to a vertical position to get the rear reservoir level, I used a 3/8" socket to remove the stock bleeder nipple from the rear Brembo caliper. I used an 8 mm socket to install the new Speed Bleeder. I installed and bled the rear first. This went well. The fluid was the color of really yellow urine. Also a couple of little bubbles came out of the rear early in the bleeding process. I probably ran 3 reservoirs full of DOT 4 through the rear lines, shut off the Speed Bleeder, topped-off and buttoned up the rear reservoir. Rear complete.
I then moved to the front. First, I wanted to get my front reservoir level, so I tied a cord on the left grip and pulled it in enough to get a level reservoir. I tied it off in that position. I bled the right front first then the left front. No air bubbles came out and the fluid was only lightly yellow. Not nearly as dark as the rear. I ran about three reservoirs of fluid through each side. After completion, I topped off the reservoir and buttoned it up. Front done.
I used trash bags and shop rags on everything to keep that darn DOT 4 off the paint and other surfaces. All that went well.
I recommend these speed bleeders to anyone and everyone. Don't be worried about removing the stock nipples and getting air into your brakes. It's best to be prepared to follow through with the bleeding process immediately after you install the bleeders.
Hope my experience with Speed Bleeders has been helpful. I have no affiliation at all with this product or company. Just passing my experience with the product along to the forum. After a test ride, the brakes felt great. I believe the rear is better now than before the bleed.
I ordered 3 of the stainless steel Speed Bleeders for my 2010 FLHTK. I also ordered the $3 bleeder assist hose. Since there are several companies that make speed bleeding devices, here is a link to the main site:
http://www.speedbleeder.com
I could have picked up some of this hose at a hardware store, maybe, but since I was ordering and since gas is expensive I went ahead and ordered it with my Speed Bleeders. It's nice and soft, about 3 feet long, easy to slip on and off the bleeder. It actually fits on the bleeder nipple very nicely. It's always best to have a good grip on the nipples.
In addition and just to check them out, I ordered a couple of the bags that have a short piece of the bleeder hose built-in. Don't waste your money on these. The hose is not made from the same material as the separate hose I ordered. It's also short, way too short. Its stiff and not pliable. The bags would actually be positioned upside down once installed on an HD Brembo nipple. Forget that music.
After jacking up the bike to a vertical position to get the rear reservoir level, I used a 3/8" socket to remove the stock bleeder nipple from the rear Brembo caliper. I used an 8 mm socket to install the new Speed Bleeder. I installed and bled the rear first. This went well. The fluid was the color of really yellow urine. Also a couple of little bubbles came out of the rear early in the bleeding process. I probably ran 3 reservoirs full of DOT 4 through the rear lines, shut off the Speed Bleeder, topped-off and buttoned up the rear reservoir. Rear complete.
I then moved to the front. First, I wanted to get my front reservoir level, so I tied a cord on the left grip and pulled it in enough to get a level reservoir. I tied it off in that position. I bled the right front first then the left front. No air bubbles came out and the fluid was only lightly yellow. Not nearly as dark as the rear. I ran about three reservoirs of fluid through each side. After completion, I topped off the reservoir and buttoned it up. Front done.
I used trash bags and shop rags on everything to keep that darn DOT 4 off the paint and other surfaces. All that went well.
I recommend these speed bleeders to anyone and everyone. Don't be worried about removing the stock nipples and getting air into your brakes. It's best to be prepared to follow through with the bleeding process immediately after you install the bleeders.
Hope my experience with Speed Bleeders has been helpful. I have no affiliation at all with this product or company. Just passing my experience with the product along to the forum. After a test ride, the brakes felt great. I believe the rear is better now than before the bleed.
Last edited by Lowcountry Joe; Feb 15, 2014 at 05:47 PM. Reason: Fixed link
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
A couple of weeks ago, I installed Lyndall Z-Plus pads all the way around. I really like these pads so far. The bike is coming up on two years old, so I thought it a good time to replace the old brake fluid with some new DOT 4.
I ordered 3 of the stainless steel Speed Bleeders for my 2010 FLHTK. I also ordered the $3 bleeder assist hose. Since there are several companies that make speed bleeding devices, here is the outfit from which I ordered:
https://ssl.zoovy.com/c=ZwX0Uu9JSa0S...com/category//
I could have picked up some of this hose at a hardware store, maybe, but since I was ordering and since gas is expensive I went ahead and ordered it with my Speed Bleeders. It's nice and soft, about 3 feet long, easy to slip on and off the bleeder. It actually fits on the bleeder nipple very nicely. It's always best to have a good grip on the nipples.
In addition and just to check them out, I ordered a couple of the bags that have a short piece of the bleeder hose built-in. Don't waste your money on these. The hose is not made from the same material as the separate hose I ordered. It's also short, way too short. Its stiff and not pliable. The bags would actually be positioned upside down once installed on an HD Brembo nipple. Forget that music.
After jacking up the bike to a vertical position to get the rear reservoir level, I used a 3/8" socket to remove the stock bleeder nipple from the rear Brembo caliper. I used an 8 mm socket to install the new Speed Bleeder. I installed and bled the rear first. This went well. The fluid was the color of really yellow urine. Also a couple of little bubbles came out of the rear early in the bleeding process. I probably ran 3 reservoirs full of DOT 4 through the rear lines, shut off the Speed Bleeder, topped-off and buttoned up the rear reservoir. Rear complete.
I then moved to the front. First, I wanted to get my front reservoir level, so I tied a cord on the left grip and pulled it in enough to get a level reservoir. I tied it off in that position. I bled the right front first then the left front. No air bubbles came out and the fluid was only lightly yellow. Not nearly as dark as the rear. I ran about three reservoirs of fluid through each side. After completion, I topped off the reservoir and buttoned it up. Front done.
I used trash bags and shop rags on everything to keep that darn DOT 4 off the paint and other surfaces. All that went well.
I recommend these speed bleeders to anyone and everyone. Don't be worried about removing the stock nipples and getting air into your brakes. It's best to be prepared to follow through with the bleeding process immediately after you install the bleeders.
Hope my experience with Speed Bleeders has been helpful. I have no affiliation at all with this product or company. Just passing my experience with the product along to the forum. After a test ride, the brakes felt great. I believe the rear is better now than before the bleed.
I ordered 3 of the stainless steel Speed Bleeders for my 2010 FLHTK. I also ordered the $3 bleeder assist hose. Since there are several companies that make speed bleeding devices, here is the outfit from which I ordered:
https://ssl.zoovy.com/c=ZwX0Uu9JSa0S...com/category//
I could have picked up some of this hose at a hardware store, maybe, but since I was ordering and since gas is expensive I went ahead and ordered it with my Speed Bleeders. It's nice and soft, about 3 feet long, easy to slip on and off the bleeder. It actually fits on the bleeder nipple very nicely. It's always best to have a good grip on the nipples.
In addition and just to check them out, I ordered a couple of the bags that have a short piece of the bleeder hose built-in. Don't waste your money on these. The hose is not made from the same material as the separate hose I ordered. It's also short, way too short. Its stiff and not pliable. The bags would actually be positioned upside down once installed on an HD Brembo nipple. Forget that music.
After jacking up the bike to a vertical position to get the rear reservoir level, I used a 3/8" socket to remove the stock bleeder nipple from the rear Brembo caliper. I used an 8 mm socket to install the new Speed Bleeder. I installed and bled the rear first. This went well. The fluid was the color of really yellow urine. Also a couple of little bubbles came out of the rear early in the bleeding process. I probably ran 3 reservoirs full of DOT 4 through the rear lines, shut off the Speed Bleeder, topped-off and buttoned up the rear reservoir. Rear complete.
I then moved to the front. First, I wanted to get my front reservoir level, so I tied a cord on the left grip and pulled it in enough to get a level reservoir. I tied it off in that position. I bled the right front first then the left front. No air bubbles came out and the fluid was only lightly yellow. Not nearly as dark as the rear. I ran about three reservoirs of fluid through each side. After completion, I topped off the reservoir and buttoned it up. Front done.
I used trash bags and shop rags on everything to keep that darn DOT 4 off the paint and other surfaces. All that went well.
I recommend these speed bleeders to anyone and everyone. Don't be worried about removing the stock nipples and getting air into your brakes. It's best to be prepared to follow through with the bleeding process immediately after you install the bleeders.
Hope my experience with Speed Bleeders has been helpful. I have no affiliation at all with this product or company. Just passing my experience with the product along to the forum. After a test ride, the brakes felt great. I believe the rear is better now than before the bleed.
My 3 bleeders and hose arrived by mail today. I ordered the part number ( SB8125L ) for the HD Ultra 08 & Up since the SG has the same brakes but damn, those Speed Bleeders look long....
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Those are the correct ones and will fit fine. That is the part number I ordered for my 2010 so you have the right ones.
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Thanks. They make a two man job into a one man job. Easy to install. The thing that I dreaded the most was managing that darn DOT 4 and keeping it off the paint. As it turned out it was not a big deal, just take it slow and careful and cover everything up with plastic sheeting and shop rags.
It helps to have a small syringe body to uptake small amounts of brake fluid from the container, then inject it slowly into the open reservoir. Don't try to pour this stuff from the bottle into the reservoir. That would certainly be risky.
It helps to have a small syringe body to uptake small amounts of brake fluid from the container, then inject it slowly into the open reservoir. Don't try to pour this stuff from the bottle into the reservoir. That would certainly be risky.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 11
From: Ladera Ranch, CA
It was recommended to me to put speed bleeders on my chrome calipers when I reinstalled them. I did and boy was it a great idea.....not that the girlfriend wasn't a great help in the past when it came to bleeding, but this made it MUCH easier. I'm getting ready to install Lyndall pads on the rear and I have a speed bleeder ready to install there too! Great product!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
nice review. glad to hear that everything went well. the only comment i have is that you should have started with the left front brake instead of the right front. always the caliper furthest from the master cylinder. i guess in the bikes case, it's only maybe 4 inches.... but when doing a car, you want to get the air out of your longest lines first, and work your way to the shortest.
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Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
nice review. glad to hear that everything went well. the only comment i have is that you should have started with the left front brake instead of the right front. always the caliper furthest from the master cylinder. i guess in the bikes case, it's only maybe 4 inches.... but when doing a car, you want to get the air out of your longest lines first, and work your way to the shortest.
Nice writeup. When I was reading it I got to the line where you move to the front and are referring to tying a cord I went uh oh. I thought we were fixing to read about some disaster. Glad it went smooooooth for you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,277
Likes: 2,420
From: Eastern NE
Good deal/great look'n product. Will have to order a set of SS bleeders for my next pad replacement. Thanks for the review!! Always hate working w/fluid & never have enought hands to bleed bike solo...