Bleeding Brakes

[Super D.]

I am going to be doing some brake work this weekend with one of our fellow Capt's, and before we get into it, I wanted to find out if anyone has any insight on bleeding the brakes before we get started. I am sure it is going to be pretty straight forward, but it is always better to research before hand.

 

[xhdskip]

If you're going to be changing out your pads,
then there is no need to bleed them.
If you're going to change the fluid just because you want to,
then thats a different matter entirely.
I haven't done that so can't offer any insight,
good luck,
skip

 

[tdragger]

front/back/both?

I've never bled brakes until I changed from pegs to floorboards. I went to Autozone and bought a little $10 or so kit. It made it very simple.

 

[Super D.]

I just looked it up in the service manual. Pretty straight forward as I expected. We are doing a project (adding something to the brakes) that will hopefully help everyone out there, and will be taking all of the pictures and will post them when done.

 

[Willtill]

Make sure that you don't overfill both of the reservoirs, especially the front one. Only fill to the full line marked on them, don't even think about "slightly" overfilling them.

I bled my brakes shortly after I got my Rocket, since I didn't like the overly yellowed color of the brake fluid. Come to find out, that the reservoirs (especially the front one) will weep brake fluid from the cover if you even slightly overfill them.

It "looks" like you can stick a little more fluid in the resvoirs (just in case) but, don't do it.

 

[JRock]

So THAT's why my front reservoir was weeping.
****!

 

[Navigator]

I haven't checked the owner's manual required periodicity but 20K is about standard with most manufacturers, of course, depending on how one rides.

That's a good idea to get brake fluid change kit.

Super D, it really is pretty straightforward. I didn't do mine but the owner of the Triumph shop in Bellingham, Washington, did it while checking my brakes. It took him just a few minutes but what a difference it made. You remind me that it is about time to bleed them again.

 

[Blastedbones]

So THAT's why my front reservoir was weeping.
****!

Mine too.. after getting the dealer to change the fluid

 

[budman]

..a mity vac or the knock off version from harbor freight is a pretty effective tool for this..some peeps like speed bleeders..never cared for 'em myself..don't crack open the bleeder screw to much or you'll suck air bubbles into the line from around the threads..maybe consider taking them out and wrapping them in the opposite direction of the threads with teflon tape..gonna do mine today also..just put on 3" over lines to go with the rivcos and t-bars..shoulda got 2".. ..anyhoo, good luck wit it..

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle- ... brakes.htm

..good tip will, on the overfill..

 

[atomsplitter]

The key to bleeding brakes is slow down. Rapid pumping the lever (foot or hand) is not going to get the result you want. Release them slowly to allow the fluid to displace the void you created by pumping fluid down the line.

As to changing the fluid, I do this every 2 years. The hydroscopicity of the fluid (any D.O.T. you care to name) is very high. That means over time the fluid absorbs water and the metal it is in contact with will react to the fluid esters and water mix (usually in the form of a nice varnish). To replace the fuid without the bleeder kit is not difficult (just time consuming to get it right). If you pump the reservoir down to a low level, refill and then pump down again and just keep repeating until all the old fluid is replaced by fresh clear fluid, you're good for 2 years.