Bleeding brake lines, is there a right or wrong way to do it? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Bleeding brake lines, is there a right or wrong way to do it?

ravensix

ravensix

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Hey guys, I've been doing most the spring maintenance on my bike past couple of weeks. Ie. oil change, spark plugs replace, chain clean/lube.

Now I'm about to bleed my brake lines. For this task, do I just keep bleeding the lines out while adding fresh fluid in the reservoir? basically what I'm asking is do I just pump out the old fluid and replace with new?

I already know not to completey let the reservoir go empty as this can cause air to be pumped into the lines.

Any other tips for this task? I know some ppl use a rubber tube to put other the bleeder valve, What size tube should I need? and where can I find said tube?

I'm going to pick up motul dot 3-4, and once this is done. Im changing my coolant to blue engine ice.

Any tips on the brake lines? Iv done it on my car. But as far as bikes go, this is new to me and not sure if theres a certain way it should be done.

Thanks guys for the help, I know Iv been asking a tonne of questions here lately. Y'all great help.
 
- Squeeze
- Open bleeder
- Close bleeder
- Release

Repeat until no more air bubbles. When the res starts getting low, top it up again.

You'll need the tubing, without it you're shooting brake fluid everywhere and wouldn't be able to check for air bubbles. 1/4" ID clear vinyl tubing, you can find it at Home Depot.
 
DaveTheCanuck said:
- Squeeze
- Open bleeder
- Close bleeder
- Release

Repeat until no more air bubbles. When the res starts getting low, top it up again.

You'll need the tubing, without it you're shooting brake fluid everywhere and wouldn't be able to check for air bubbles. 1/4" ID clear vinyl tubing, you can find it at Home Depot.
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Thanks. Now I know where to find the tube, time to get to work. :D
 
The way your doing it is fine. The vaccume bleeder is good for when you have no fluid at all ie new lines or new braking system. I prefer to dump the old fluid out of the resivour first (that's what I use the vaccume bleeder for) as it takes less time and your not using as much fluid mixing old and new. You probably only use one less resivour of fluid during the whole process but this is how I do it.
 
I pump/siphon out most of the old fluid from the res, making sure to not go lower than the opening to the line....then fill with fresh and do the pump lever method.
 
Lots of wrong ways, good advice provided already.

One key is to never release the lever until the bleeder screw is closed to avoid sucking air back in that you just bled out.
 
Awesome, thanks for the info guys.

I'll be trying this sometime this week. Since I don't have the pump ill most likely do the pump, release, fill and repeat method lol
 
ravensix said:
Awesome, thanks for the info guys.

I'll be trying this sometime this week. Since I don't have the pump ill most likely do the pump, release, fill and repeat method lol
Click to expand...
You forgot to open and close the bleeder screw already, fail

:)
 
[video=youtube;tkxcQzhgJLU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkxcQzhgJLU[/video]
 
Interesting. I've always pressurized by pumping the lever, holding it in, then open and close the bleeder screw, lever will close a bit when screw is open...repeat.
 
NP. There are lots of good products but you don't need much to do it on the cheap. I only do it around once a year so I can't justify buying anything fancy. A few bucks on that clear hose is really all you need. I punched a hole in an old water bottle and ran the the other end in there so it'll stay in place and drain without making a mess. I've also used a big syringe stuffed into the end of the hose to suck fluid into the system when the lines are empty. Even all that is well under $10.
 
It was my understanding on the front you can place the hose on the bleeder screw. Open the reservoir and then just open the bleeder; will this not just gravity feed? Then just keep roping the reservoir until you see clean fluid in the hose?

The rear brake requires the pump and release method...

At least that's what happened on my DRZ might be different with two callipers on the front end...
 
Riceburner said:
Interesting. I've always pressurized by pumping the lever, holding it in, then open and close the bleeder screw, lever will close a bit when screw is open...repeat.
Click to expand...
That's how I do it too
 
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