brake bleeding
Banned
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 67
I use a Mity Vac and my bike has ABS brakes. This method works fine as long as you don't run the master cylinder low, without refilling it. This process works best if you have your wife/girlfriend/shackjob standing at the master cylinder to keep it near full.
If you bleed it till it is dry and you have ABS, you will have to take it by your friendly Harley store and they will have to reset it using their computer setup. That is a good way to drop about $100.00.
If you bleed it till it is dry and you have ABS, you will have to take it by your friendly Harley store and they will have to reset it using their computer setup. That is a good way to drop about $100.00.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 674
Likes: 19
From: Winnipeg
Bleeder is fine did the old pump the brake hold and crack the bleeder and repeat just was a pain as i was doing on friends sportster and i was by myself and the brake pedal is on other side of caliper so had to have something to hold down brake.Tried to reverse bleed using a big syringe and a hose but for the life of me could not get the fluid to go up something was resisting when i push the syringe down
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 3
From: Stamford, CT
Can you feel vacuum build by holding your fingertip on the end of the hose? Don't use the rubber caps they supply just put the hose directly on the bleeder. I had one cap that wouldn't allow air/fluid pass even after I poked it with an awl.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 674
Likes: 19
From: Winnipeg
yes i have a vacuum when is have around 10 psi it doesnt go down just when i crack the bleeder nothing comes out.Even reverse bleeding wouldnt work something was providing lots resistance when i was trying to push the plunger down on the syringe and had the master cylinder cover off.I see all these how to videos and how easy it looks then when i try it goes to **** lol.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
You probably have a crappy seal on the bleeder. Thank you cheap tools! Try putting the hose end on the bleeder nipple and use a tie rap to hold it on and while there is vacuum on the line work the pedal a tad to see if anything starts flowing. Ive never had an issue like this one unless the vacuum is being lost thru the threads if the screw is too loose.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
I spray a little silicone spray on the bleeders that helps seal the hose to it as you turn the bleeder. Pump it on up above 10 psi, it will work. The better the seal, the less little bubbles will leak around it. The reservoirs don't hold much, and if ABS you CANNOT let it get down to air, keep check and keep adding fluid.
After flushing my bike's system, I flushed my truck's system with no issues. It's a good idea to empty and refill the fluid before bleeding and sending old fluid thru the system.
Keep at it Dude, make it happen!
After flushing my bike's system, I flushed my truck's system with no issues. It's a good idea to empty and refill the fluid before bleeding and sending old fluid thru the system.
Keep at it Dude, make it happen!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
try mashing the brake just a little, not enough to bottom out the master cylinder just enough to move the plunger in a bit...I had the same issue and it worked on my sporty...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
I'd throw that vacuum pump away and get a speed bleeder.
I've never gotten a good enough seal to bleed brakes using a MityVac or any other vacuum pump.
Speed bleeders make the job a very simple task - no opening and closing the bleeder screw, just stroke the pedal until you see no more air in your clear hose and tighten it back up. Works every time.
I've never gotten a good enough seal to bleed brakes using a MityVac or any other vacuum pump.
Speed bleeders make the job a very simple task - no opening and closing the bleeder screw, just stroke the pedal until you see no more air in your clear hose and tighten it back up. Works every time.