Fresh brake fluid trouble

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Apr 8, 2012 | 09:54 AM

davenree

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From: Washington , Pa

Fresh brake fluid trouble

I changed the brake lines on my '02 Electra Glide and dumped all the brake fluid for new stuff , now the brake fluid won't drain thru the master cylinder to the calipers.Anyone have an idea what I did wrong or why gently working the brake lever to pump it thru the lines is not working.I do have the bleeders open for air to escape.Thanks guys.

Apr 8, 2012 | 10:28 AM

trozenhorse

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From: Montreal Quebec Canada

do you have a mightyvac? sounds like something is blocked. i used the mightyvac on my and it worked out well, also someone posted what they called a trick which is to pull the brake handle in quite snug and tape it in that position and leave it overnight. youtube has some good videos on brake bleeding. Good luck.

Apr 8, 2012 | 04:09 PM

grbrown

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From: Bedford UK

Take a look at the pipework and you will probably find there are uphill parts, such as the manifold under the bottom triple-tree.

Close the right bleed valve and work on the left caliper first. Turn the bars to full left lock, to get the reservoir to its best position - gravity is your friend. Be patient! There are bleeding tips in the DIY section of HDF.

Apr 9, 2012 | 07:31 AM

davenree

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From: Washington , Pa

Thanks guys,it's been 2 days now and the overnight gravity deal has been working .I thought there might have been a faster way someone knew of but it's supposed to be rainy and chilly for the next few days so I do have some time .I will look into the mightyvac and see what I can find out.Ride safe and ride often.

Apr 9, 2012 | 09:07 AM

grbrown

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From: Bedford UK

I have various instruments of torture for assisting in bleeding bl33ding brakes, including a mityvac (or whatever the name is!). Frankly on occasions it has been great, on others it has been a distraction. In all the years I have been riding hydraulic brake bikes I haven't found an idiot proof system!

I recently installed a dry rear caliper and new hose, primed the reservoir with fresh fluid, operated the lever a few times and hey presto the darned fluid came straight out the other end. I wasn't even ready to start bleeding and yet the darned brake worked fine. Hopefully when you go back to yours you'll find everything works as it should!

Apr 9, 2012 | 11:35 AM

hog-doc

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From: ID Ho

Front brakes take longer to pump up than rears but if you close the bleeders and set the forks so that the master cylinder is slightly uphill, got to be able to get the air out, pump the brake lever and let go so it snaps back kt shouldnt take more than 10 minutes. Snapping the lever back jars the system enough to cause the air bubbles to work thier way up and out.

May 3, 2012 | 11:32 AM

davenree

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From: Washington , Pa

Thanks again for the help. Sorry it took so long to reply.I ended up putting the cover back on and pumping the heck out of it and that got the air moving. Did both sides and all is well.