Bleed up

[csj]

A few weeks after getting my bike out of storage this year, I noticed that my brake
lever started pulling in closer to the bar, then eventually it came all the way in, and
then I had no front brakes. Pulled a caliper and confiirmed what I thought I saw.
Brake pads were 60% remaining. So why no brakes? Pulled the top off the reservoir,
no fluid whatsoever. No idea where the fluid disappeared to, I'll try to solve that
mystery later.

So I wanted to find a way to get this fluid put back with minimum hassle. Watched a few
videos on youtube, and found a guy loading a syringe with brake fluid, connecting to the
bleeder nipple with a tube, open the bleeder and feed the fluid back UP the line with
the syringe.

I tried this technique, worked the first time, no opening and closing and waiting for
bubbles, just one go, finished. Maybe it was just a lucky break, but what a cool and
fast way to get the job done.

[Rudy]

I saw the same video, bought a syringe and it worked like a charm. Only took about thirty minutes. 

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

I sure wish that I had a Syringe when I replaced my Front Brake Lines. I spent Five Hours trying to bleed mine and I even filled the Calipers with fluid and squeezed then with a C-Clamp, kinda like back - bleeding them but what a Pain. Glad it worked out for you the First time.

[R J]

When your pads wear off material, the brake fluid goes down to fill the gap.  No big deal.

Nothing wrong with the low brake fluid.     That is the reason you check your fluid every so often.   When you fill it periodically and then change pads, make damn sure you have a heavy blanket on the tank so as not to disolve your paint job.

What you poured in will have to be pushed back so as to get the caliper on.

[whitestroke]

Does the Mighty Vac pump fluid up the lines also??

[Colin]

Does the Mighty Vac pump fluid up the lines also??

Yes it does. That is what I use. It is also good for fluid exchange when it starts getting too dark in colour.

[Ricky-D]

There is a sight window in each master cylinder on the handle bars.

Where is the loss when there is a failure to even look at the window to note the fluid level.

I guess a wheel bearing change out is coming next.

***

[csj]

There is a sight window in each master cylinder on the handle bars.

Where is the loss when there is a failure to even look at the window to note the fluid level.

I guess a wheel bearing change out is coming next.

The sight glass window looked the same before and after.

I attempt to bring a better idea to people for brake work,
and you come out with that.

Man, you got one corrosive attitude.  You haven't offered
one bit of useful information in months. How about gettin on
some meds.

[Shydog]

CSJ,  what is the procedure bleeding the front brakes? Which side first or does it make a difference. Do both front brake lines connect and how would you go about bleeding those if they are connected?I have a Interstate with 30k and want to change all the fluids. I have not had any experience when it comes to changing the brake and clutch fluids. Your syringe method is what I want to try.
Thanks

Shydog

[Patrick]

Usually depending on the industry, some bleed down and others bleed up. Both will get the job done.
Just to change fluid, take your wives turkey syringe and suck MOST of the fluid out, leaving the bottom/ports covered with fluid. Add new fluid. Then just bleed. Pump lever, hold lever, open bleed screw, close bleed screw, release lever. Repeat, repeat, repeat, until fluid runs clear and there is no air [shouldn't be air anyway for this procedure]. General procedure is to start at the bleeder screw furthest from the supply.

[csj]

No disrespect but, the bleed then repeat, repeat, repeat is the way that I wanted to avoid.
The method that I found on youtube was for a single caliper front brake bike.

The method is good for that bike, but we have two calipers, so I went and had two
syringes and tubes, and was ready to use both at the same time.

Didn't need to this time, as I was only refilling the empty reservoir, from the bleeder.

The refill only took about 5 minutes. It was so cool. No repeats needed.

I'll go look again and post the link in a bit.

[csj]

There be the link.

http://youtu.be/lBk00597EyE

Oh, and make sure you turn your handlebars all the way to the left, that
puts the master cylinder approx. level.