Mityvac alternative

[Loopie]

So I decided to replace the seals in my calipers. As usual, I should have come here before I started. Anyhow, I now can't get the air out of the lines. I have ordered a Mityvac, but is there an alternative method that will get me on the road, or do I have to wait for my order to come in?

Loopie

[Bighead]

Just good old fashion bleeding. Brake lines were bled way before the MyTvac was invented.
Try tying the brake lever down over night and let the air work its way out.

[hubcapsc]

The front is harder than the back, I think, is it the front you are having
trouble with?

I bled my fronts three times before it was right when I changed
my front brake lines... bleeding is harder on a dry system.

I use speedbleeders, in case you're having a hard time getting
it done alone... I've seen ones that work for Valkyrie calipers
(but not the clutch) at Advance... there's a Shoptalk writeup
on speedbleeders.

All the ways I know of require patience until you get it right...

-Mike

[Loopie]

I tried tying the lever down, didn't work. Yes, it's the front, and yes I have speed bleeders. I'll just keep working it until I get some pressure. If that doesn't work, the Mityvac will be here. Thanks all for the replies.

[WintrSol]

So, no pressure at all? If not, the speed bleeders can't function. Try tilting the bars so the banjo fitting at the MC is somewhat lower than the rest, then work the lever in and out, to prime the pump, and get fluid into the line. Cover everything, of course, and watch the holes in the bottom of the reservoir, to make sure you get some bubbles each time you move the lever. This way takes a while to get enough pressure to start opening the bleeder valves, so have a six-pack handy.

[Roidfingers]

I have speed bleeders on mine. I just loosened the banjo fitting until I had a steady stream then tightened it up and then bled the rest through the bleeder. Easy peasey.

[vanagon40]

My understanding is that if there is too much air in the line, the speed bleeders will not open. You might try putting the original bleed valves back in until the lines are essentially filled. Yes, this can be done without a mityvac.

[F6Dave]

I went to the Big-R (farm and ranch store) and bought a huge cattle syringe and a foot of plastic tubing.  It works surprisingly well as a vacuum pump and cost about a buck.

[ptgb]

I went to the Big-R (farm and ranch store) and bought a huge cattle syringe and a foot of plastic tubing.  It works surprisingly well as a vacuum pump and cost about a buck.

You can also use that set-up to reverse bleed. Fill up the syringe with brake fluid and "inject" the fluid into the open bleeder (not a speed bleeder). Air wants to naturally rise through the fluid so this way assists with natural tendencies.

[gordonv]

Just be careful about over filling the reservoir and having it come out onto your bike.

[Loopie]

Thanks again for all the replies. I removed the bleeder just to see if I could get fluid to come out, no luck. I disconnected the hose from the caliper, same result. I'll keep trying until the Mityvac gets here. One more question. Can I use the Mityvac with the speed bleeders, or do I need to dig out my old bleeders for the job? I figure with the springs in the speed bleeders, they won't let the fluid flow up.

Loopie

[gordonv]

If I remember how they are made, then no, you can not force fluid back into the system from the Speed bleeder, it's a one way valve.

But WITH the Mityvac, you will be pulling the fluid down through the system, so no reason to swap them out.

[Loopie]

Thank you once again for the reply. I guess I need to go read the instructions before it gets here. I assumed it went the other way.

Loopie

[gordonv]

Speed bleeder is designed to not let air come back into the system.

The oil gets pressurized, comes out the bleeder.