bleeding front brakes

TQuentin1 · Mar 20th, 2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fin_676

my softail custom is a real pain to bleed cause of the angle of the bars so to make it nice and easy i use a large syringe with some plastic tube stuck on the end (type used for car window washers or fish tank airline)
fill syringe with brake fluid place other end of tube over bleed nipple (if you find it a bit tight warm end of tube up with hot air gun or hot water)
open bleed nipple and slowly depres the plunger on the syringe this pushes the brake fluid in ihe bottom of the system and the air goes up the brake hose and out through the master cylinder
caution if you are using glycol based brake fluid (dot4) leave the cover loosley fitted to the master cylinder to prevent splash on to the paint job
caution always wear barrier cream or rubber gloves when handling gylcol based brake fluid cos it can be nasty stuff (and i hate the feel of it on my skin)

Brian

I like this approach for the fronts because the reservoir is above the caliper(s). But the rear I do the old fashion way with a tube from the bleeder into a jar of clean brake fluid. The vacuum unit would work great back there.

And as a note, pump out lots of fluid BEFORE you do the process that FIN suggest above so you are getting the old nasty stuff out of there. I like to pump the old stuff out until the fluid is just ABOVE the hole in the reservoir and then refill the reservoir with clean fluid and do that again (three more times!!). That way I am pretty sure that the system is full of clean new fluid BEFORE using the syringe from the bleeder to push fluid back up to the reservoir. Leave the reservoir almost empty and then push the fluid in from the bleeder (and the air out!).

TQ

fin_676 · Mar 20th, 2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQuentin1

I like this approach for the fronts because the reservoir is above the caliper(s). But the rear I do the old fashion way with a tube from the bleeder into a jar of clean brake fluid. The vacuum unit would work great back there.

And as a note, pump out lots of fluid BEFORE you do the process that FIN suggest above so you are getting the old nasty stuff out of there. I like to pump the old stuff out until the fluid is just ABOVE the hole in the reservoir and then refill the reservoir with clean fluid and do that again (three more times!!). That way I am pretty sure that the system is full of clean new fluid BEFORE using the syringe from the bleeder to push fluid back up to the reservoir. Leave the reservoir almost empty and then push the fluid in from the bleeder (and the air out!).

TQ

i use this procedure of the syringe when the system has been drained
have long winters in north scotland not unknown to find the time strip the calipers and clean the pistons as part of the winter maintenance programme
with 4 bikes in the stable always one needing a good overhaul
but yes only on the front brake on the fxstc the highest point on the system is the banjo fiting on to the master cylinder due to the shape of the handlebars makes filling and bleeding a 15 minut job

Brian

martin14 · May 9th, 2009, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joetter

I have never heard of anyone saying that just pulling the brake lever for 12 hours and then tapping the master cylinder would help. Seems kinda stupid to me. Of course, stupid is as stupid does right!! So, last night I wrapped a bungee cord around the brake lever (after breaking 3 zip ties that weren't big enough) and this morning I tapped the calipers, brake lines and master cylinder. Brakes haven't felt this good since I bought the bike!! Glad I know that other people's opinions are usually a lot better than my own!

awww man, I am loving this place !!

changed fluid, lever was wayyy too spongy, tried tying off the lever,
light taps on the lines and calipers as well, and now the brakes are as hard
as a rock

Brakes are now better than when I bought it. I may do it every couple
of months just to keep them this way.

Super, super, just super help !!!

KingHeritage · May 9th, 2009, 07:06 AM

Once when bleeding a friends front brakes on his wide glide,I removed the black master cyl.cap(which was being replaced with a chrome cover)and tapped it to fit an air hose fitting.Ran my air hose to it with just a bit of air pressure and bled the front brakes in no time at all.

glider · May 9th, 2009, 08:14 AM

On the newer bikes the master cylinder has the sight glass in the cover and if you remove the glass on a spare cover, an air chuck fitting will fit nicely into the hole and just about cut it's own threads because of the size. Seal it with some epoxy and you have a nice setup for doing the bleeding. I have one and when I get some time, I'll take a pic and post it in the self help area.
All you need is a pressure regulator and you're in business.

gs34 · May 9th, 2009, 08:21 AM

Never tried it that way. I always use my vacuum pump, but might give this a try next time.
How much air pressure are we talking in the regulator? Wouldn't think you would want it very high.

glider · May 9th, 2009, 08:24 AM

You don't need much at all to get it to flow, just a pound or two is more than enough. The seal on the cover cannot hold back much more than that. I'll see if I can get some pics today.

smitty901 · May 9th, 2009, 08:26 AM

attach warning label to the tool . about pressure.
Nice glider power bleeder for HD it don't get much easier.
Of course after I made one I would never find it when I needed it

gs34 · May 9th, 2009, 08:29 AM

That's what I figured. I've got a regulator that I rigged up with a low pressure/low volume orifice, for another application.
Would probably work perfect for that.
Yeah...like Smitty says...if I can only find it!!!!!!

glider · May 9th, 2009, 09:59 AM

I have no problems finding things, if I didn't have a very organized system, it would be gone forever

Here's the finished product with pics.

Brake Bleeding - Harley Davidson Community

May 9th, 2009, 07:06 AM	#14
KingHeritage Community Star Ride: 2009 Heritage Softail Classic Join Date: Oct 21st, 2008 Location: Cedarbrook,N.J. Posts: 524 My Mood:	Re: bleeding front brakes Once when bleeding a friends front brakes on his wide glide,I removed the black master cyl.cap(which was being replaced with a chrome cover)and tapped it to fit an air hose fitting.Ran my air hose to it with just a bit of air pressure and bled the front brakes in no time at all. __________________ Never make someone a priority when they only see you as an option!

May 9th, 2009, 08:14 AM	#15
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,059 My Mood:	Re: bleeding front brakes On the newer bikes the master cylinder has the sight glass in the cover and if you remove the glass on a spare cover, an air chuck fitting will fit nicely into the hole and just about cut it's own threads because of the size. Seal it with some epoxy and you have a nice setup for doing the bleeding. I have one and when I get some time, I'll take a pic and post it in the self help area. All you need is a pressure regulator and you're in business. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

May 9th, 2009, 08:21 AM	#16
gs34 Contributor$ Ride: 2007 FLHTC Join Date: Apr 25th, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 642	Re: bleeding front brakes Never tried it that way. I always use my vacuum pump, but might give this a try next time. How much air pressure are we talking in the regulator? Wouldn't think you would want it very high.

May 9th, 2009, 08:24 AM	#17
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,059 My Mood:	Re: bleeding front brakes You don't need much at all to get it to flow, just a pound or two is more than enough. The seal on the cover cannot hold back much more than that. I'll see if I can get some pics today. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

May 9th, 2009, 08:26 AM	#18
smitty901 Retired Moderators Ride: 2007 Road glide Join Date: Jan 1st, 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,952 My Mood:	Re: bleeding front brakes attach warning label to the tool . about pressure. Nice glider power bleeder for HD it don't get much easier. Of course after I made one I would never find it when I needed it __________________ The Infantry leads the way

May 9th, 2009, 08:29 AM	#19
gs34 Contributor$ Ride: 2007 FLHTC Join Date: Apr 25th, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 642	Re: bleeding front brakes That's what I figured. I've got a regulator that I rigged up with a low pressure/low volume orifice, for another application. Would probably work perfect for that. Yeah...like Smitty says...if I can only find it!!!!!! Last edited by gs34; May 9th, 2009 at 08:31 AM. Reason: additional comment

May 9th, 2009, 09:59 AM	#20
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,059 My Mood:	Re: bleeding front brakes I have no problems finding things, if I didn't have a very organized system, it would be gone forever Here's the finished product with pics. Brake Bleeding - Harley Davidson Community __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

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bleeding front brakes

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