Why must brake fluid on bikes be changed?
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 876
Likes: 4
From: Waskom, TX
You leave the lid off, you have to keep adding fluid as you drain out the old. If you let the Master Cylinder run dry, you'll get air in the system and have to start all over again.
My bike is three years old and I re-used the gasket, but probably not a bad idea to replace with a new one.
Get yourself one of these, makes the job very easy.
Amazon.com: Mityvac MV8000 Automotive Test and Bleeding Kit: Automotive
If you can get a helper to add fluid as you drain the old, makes things easier also.
Buy a Service Manual for your bike, will save lots of money and headache in the long run.
My bike is three years old and I re-used the gasket, but probably not a bad idea to replace with a new one.
Get yourself one of these, makes the job very easy.
Amazon.com: Mityvac MV8000 Automotive Test and Bleeding Kit: Automotive
If you can get a helper to add fluid as you drain the old, makes things easier also.
Buy a Service Manual for your bike, will save lots of money and headache in the long run.
got a service manual. Sometimes they assume a level of competence that is above my head.
David
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Baltimore
Not to hijack the thread but the manual says you need the special diagnostic tech tool or something they call it if you have ABS. As long as you never let the reservoir run dry so that you get air in the lines and don't turn on the ignition switch, is this special tool really required for bikes with ABS? I think I will simplify the job and order the speed bleeders before I start.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 95
From: lancaster, pa
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
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
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 992
Likes: 2
From: TN
I prefer the simple route and installed speed bleeders. No extra help necessary with these things. You can do the job yourself. They disallow air from being sucked back into the nipple on the caliper when you let go of the lever. They eliminate the need to loosen-squeeze-tighten-release-fill-loosen-squeeze-tighten-release-fill, etc.,etc.
With the speed bleeders, all you do is loosen them 1/4 of a turn, then start pumping brake fluid through your reservoir until it turns clear down at the caliper nipple. Turn a quarter turn to cut them off and you are done. You will need three speed bleeders for a touring bike if you go this route.
http://www.speedbleeder.com/
With the speed bleeders, all you do is loosen them 1/4 of a turn, then start pumping brake fluid through your reservoir until it turns clear down at the caliper nipple. Turn a quarter turn to cut them off and you are done. You will need three speed bleeders for a touring bike if you go this route.
http://www.speedbleeder.com/