bleedin Brakes

[ac/dc]

have fitted new pads to my re built calipers but can i get any fluid into the pipes can i f@£k any good tips ?? its a z1000 a2 with braided hoses cheers

[chrisu]

either lots of patience of borrow a vacuum bleeder system.

know anyone who works in a garage or auto shop ?

[Gus]

Go to the local vets and get a large syringe. Get some tubing to fit between the syringe and the caliper bleed nipple. Fill the syringe and connect it to the bleed nipple. Open the bleed nipple and push fluid into the caliper. Close nipple just before the syringe bottoms out. Repeat as necessary. Keep an eye on the level in the master cylinder for overflow.

[Pigford]

Take the system off the bike & hang it up so the bleed nipple is at the highest point - ensuring the air can flow in an upward direction the whole length of the system Then pump away

[kettle738]

First check the tiny little vent hole (relief port) next to the fluid inlet port in the floor of the reservoir...if it's blocked it can cause all sorts of problems.

If the port is clear, but no fluid is being fed into the system, this method works, but it can be a little messy. The problem is usually getting fluid to initially draw into the master cylinder. Surround the reservoir area with rags, old towels are best, remove the top banjo bolt, put it to one side. Pull the brake lever back to the handlebar, no fluid will be expelled....because that's the problem there is none in the master cylinder itself.

While still holding the brake lever in the fully applied position, put a latex gloved finger over the outlet where you removed the banjo bolt to make an effective seal.

Release the brake lever and watch the fluid level in the reservoir..it should drop very slightly. The master cylinder spring will return the piston to the 'rest' position but as you have sealed the outlet with your finger it cannot draw air in behind it; instead it will (must) draw fluid from the reservoir. Take your finger away and apply the brake lever, hopefully you should get a dribble of fluid.

Do this a couple of times until you are happy the master cylinder piston is drawing and pushing fluid, and reconnect the top banjo bolt.

I have a Mityvac which will do the same job, but it's such a pain to assemble and clean I always use this method and it's never failed me yet.

Mick.

[ac/dc]

thanks the syringe method sounds like a plan. when i removed the bleed nipple on one side a tiny ball bearing fell out is this right ??

[kev edwards]

thanks the syringe method sounds like a plan. when i removed the bleed nipple on one side a tiny ball bearing fell out is this right ??

is'nt that a grease nipple , i thought a bleed niipple was different , a tapered seat with a hole some of the way up ?
i use a large syringe except i suck the fluid through with the help of some one operating the lever.

[Pigford]

thanks the syringe method sounds like a plan. when i removed the bleed nipple on one side a tiny ball bearing fell out is this right ??

You might have "easy-bleed" nipples fitted - they are one-way units with a small ball bearing that acts as a one-way valve

[PAULJAC47]

Cover any paint work first with clingfilm stick bike on sidestand bars to left with clingfilm over reservoir, give lever a number a fast hard slaps,bars to centre repeat slaps,bars to right repeat slaps,start again, you should see microscopic bubbles rise, after tie lever back to bars overnight with tie wrap re-test,this can work when other methods fail though other ideas are all worthy.....Paulj..

[KeithZ1R]

Go to the local vets and get a large syringe. Get some tubing to fit between the syringe and the caliper bleed nipple. Fill the syringe and connect it to the bleed nipple. Open the bleed nipple and push fluid into the caliper. Close nipple just before the syringe bottoms out. Repeat as necessary. Keep an eye on the level in the master cylinder for overflow.

Works every time