Brake bleeding..done!
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Bridgewater, MA
Brake bleeding..done!
I know, maybe this doesn't deserve it's own post, but I am NOT a handy person. However, armed with my trusty 2004 FLH Service manual and the right tools, even *I* can bleed my own brakes.
My bike is 8 yrs old, so I know it was WAY over the time to replace the brake fluid. I read some posts here, and also watched this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_7PwPf1tKc
Then I went out and got a hand held vac. pump, much like the Mity Vac brake tool, and also 1 container of DOT 5 brake fluid (which is the most expensive brake fluid, at least compared to DOT 3 & 4). So I did the front brakes first. I followed what the video/posts had taught me. However, when I was finished and test road the bike (luckily just in the yard) the brakes were way worse, much spongier. So I figured I must have air in the lines. Did the rear brake next, and that came out fine. Then I knocked over the bottle of brake fluid.
Yup, back to the store for another bottle (grumble swear complain). Tackled the front brakes again and this time I must have done it right. Buttoned everything up and the brakes work fine.
Not sure they feel 'better' but I'm happy in knowing the fluid is fresh. Not bad, all said and done it took me 2 hrs, including going back to the store, washing the bike and putting everything away. I dont rush (obviously) lol.
Enjoy the weekend all! Happy Father's Day!
My bike is 8 yrs old, so I know it was WAY over the time to replace the brake fluid. I read some posts here, and also watched this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_7PwPf1tKc
Then I went out and got a hand held vac. pump, much like the Mity Vac brake tool, and also 1 container of DOT 5 brake fluid (which is the most expensive brake fluid, at least compared to DOT 3 & 4). So I did the front brakes first. I followed what the video/posts had taught me. However, when I was finished and test road the bike (luckily just in the yard) the brakes were way worse, much spongier. So I figured I must have air in the lines. Did the rear brake next, and that came out fine. Then I knocked over the bottle of brake fluid.
Yup, back to the store for another bottle (grumble swear complain). Tackled the front brakes again and this time I must have done it right. Buttoned everything up and the brakes work fine. Not sure they feel 'better' but I'm happy in knowing the fluid is fresh. Not bad, all said and done it took me 2 hrs, including going back to the store, washing the bike and putting everything away. I dont rush (obviously) lol.
Enjoy the weekend all! Happy Father's Day!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 4
From: Northern Illinois
Congrats on wrenching on your machine...Where did you spill the brake fluid? Make sure you clean it up really good or it will do some damage to the concrete floor in your garage. Don't ask me how I know.
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