Z1OwnersClub GB

Hello, does anyone have any tips for geting rid of spongey brakes, i have new hoses,seals and pistons all round no leaks. i've tried the usual, bleeding and bleeding a vacuum bleeder and zip tying levers and pedals down over night and still spongey.
Thanks Archie

Put bike on sidestand,tip bars to left,make sure plenty of fluid in resevoir cover with rag,Then give brake lever a number of hard slaps letting it go sharply,bring steering to centre position repeat,turn steering to right repeat,then go back to left and squeeze slowly you should see bubbles if not repeat,This worked on my mates z900 after he had been trying for 4 hours it didnt work on my Z1b i ended up changing to braided hoses after trying this and every other technique i know,Al Marshal on this site makes up very good lines at resonable cost.Good luck z brakes are a sod Paul J...

Hi, I use a syringe which I attach to the caliper then I back bleed the system. It was the only way I could bleed my ZRX brakes fitted to my ELR.
Hope this helps
Rob

Use the banjo bolts as bleed nipples as well.

Check the pads & caliper are square to the disc

If they are not all parallel, the brakes will feel spongy & not have enuff travel in the lever to take up the spring as the pads try to bite.

If squiffy the pads will be pushed a bit further apart, over range for the sweep of the master cylinder lever

Thanks alot guys, back out to the garage we go.
Archie

I had this problem with a KZ1000, I undid the wheel spindle, slacked of the spindle cap bolts, applied the front brake to centralise it, tightened it all up and it worked, the discs must not have been central in the calipers and there was some spring in the set up.