Pneumatic Brake/Clutch Bleeder

[Adirondack Bill]

Well, winter came early to upstate New York so my thoughts now turn to next years riding season. Have any of you used A pneumatic brake bleeder when doing brake/Clutch work on your Valk?  This spring, it will be time to replace the brake/Clutch fluid and one always looks for easier ways to do maintenance. BikeMaster sells a bleeder you hook up to your air compressor. It seems like it would be easier than the old "pump and release" method. Anyone have any thoughts on this topic?

[svsteve]

I don't know about the Bikemaster brand, but I've been using the one from Harbor Freight and I love it. Some one recommended it to me on another bike forum. I can't believe how easy it makes the job. I should have gotten it years ago. Ya gotta love tools that make your life easier. I changed my front and rear brakes and clutch fluid in about 30 minutes. I know speedbleeders work well, but you can use this on most any vehicle. If you get it, you won't regret it.    https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-fluid-bleeder-92924.html?_br_psugg_q=brake+bleeder

[bscrive]

All I do is open up the master and crack the bleeder screw upen. Let it drain into a container and make sure to keep adding fluid and don't let the master get low. For the front, do each side separately.  You don't need any special tools.

[Adirondack Bill]

Bscrive I must be doing something wrong. After taking the master cylinder cover off,and attaching a hose on the bleeder and then opening the bleeder valve up, the fluid does not just flow out. A little may trickle out, but I always have to close the bleeder, pump up the pressure and then release the bleeder. I usually have to do this many times while adding fluid up on top to flush all the old fluid out of the system. The fluid never just flows out. This is why I thought a pneumatic bleeder would save time, no more pumping to build up pressure and then opening bleeder valve. Maybe you have more gravity where you are at than here in upstate New York. Ha Ha.

[Jambriwal]

Yes i used a cheap style mighty vac from harbor frieght, twice. In fact i just did brakes and clutch a couple of weeks ago b/4 putting Valk away. Also a western new yorker. With 26, 000 miles it was time to do it again.
Open the master cylinder, loosen bleader and pump handle. Do not let the master cylinder empty. Compared to pumping the brakes like i used to, this is so easy. Both times i was surprised at amount of air bubbled. But the effect is immediate. The brakes and clutch feel much better. Also i pulled the levers and bushings etc, cleaned and greased, feel like brand new.

[Robert]

I also have a pneumatic bleeder but I just use it to suck the fluid through and suck the fluid out of the reservoir. Its nice so you dont make a mess and drip brake fluid on the paint. Once done I always do a pump and release on the brakes just to make sure they are completely without air in the lines. With the vacuum bleeder still on so the fluid does not drop.