Bleeding Brakes/2006 FLHTCUSE

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Nov 1, 2013 | 02:06 PM

t059736

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Joined: Nov 2007

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Bleeding Brakes/2006 FLHTCUSE

Good day; riders.

Need a little help and/or advice.

Replace pads on left side and caliper and pads on right side of my bike.

Bled the brake line on the left side; before doing any work on the right side.

Then bled right side after that work was completed.

The initial pull on the brake lever collapses with no "effort"; on the second pull the resistance "firms up" leading me to believe there is still air in the brake lines.

There is no "bleed down" on the brake lever after the second pull; indication that there is no leak in the master cylinder.

I've re-bled the brake lines and see no "air contamination"; no air bubbles on either side.

Can you give me any advice as to how to resolve this problem?

Thanks in advance...

G

Nov 1, 2013 | 03:21 PM

hogcowboy

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 1,988

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From: Between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls Texas

Could it be there is a chunk of jelled brake fluid hiding a bubble? I have not tried this yet myself but maybe back flushing would help. Darn sure wouldn't hurt and if jell is causing it, that should force it free and on up and out.

Nov 1, 2013 | 06:25 PM

Neggy ZRXOA 5248

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2005

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From: KMHT KFMY

buy a Mighty-Vac, best tool in the world for bleeding brakes, Has a bunch of other uses too if you are a shade tree type of guy

Nov 1, 2013 | 07:23 PM

Guntoter

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2009

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From: Central Illinois

Let it sit an hour or so and try the lever. If its still stiff, there is no air in the system. Most likely the caliper pistons were still compressed and had to move out, then it firmed up.

If it does collapse, gravity bleed the brakes, with NO compression of the lever. Turn bars to left, lock them, open M/C, then open the bleeder for the right caliper. Let fluid flow until no air comes out, then do the left side the same way. Make sure cylinder does not go dry. Put cap back on and lever should work proper.

Last edited by Guntoter; Nov 1, 2013 at 07:26 PM.

Nov 1, 2013 | 07:35 PM

Tired

Grand HDF Member

Joined: May 2010

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From: SWMO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neggy ZRXOA 5248

buy a Mighty-Vac, best tool in the world for bleeding brakes, Has a bunch of other uses too if you are a shade tree type of guy

Exactly.

Nov 1, 2013 | 08:24 PM

Mike

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2009

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From: Centralia, Wa

A good friend of mine swears by this: take the top off the reservoir, squeeze the brake lever, and rap a rubber band around the lever. Go watch a football game, and come back in a few hours, your air bubble will likely work itself up and out. You might need to leave it overnight, but if that doesn't work, you'll need to bleed the brakes again. Having the reservoir at the uppermost part of the system is a big advantage to bleeding the brakes.

I use a MityVac, and haven't had any issues in several years and many, many brake bleedings of mine and friends bikes.

Last edited by Mike; Nov 1, 2013 at 08:28 PM.

Nov 1, 2013 | 08:33 PM

Jumpman

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Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 1,573

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From: StL, MO. USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by t059736

Can you clarify a couple things?

You said that you swapped pads and bled the left caliper before moving onto the right side...or am I reading this wrong?

Are you putting a piece of clear hose over the bleeder valve while you are bleeding the calipers?