Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Brake bleeding

Ok so I have tightened every thing down I have taken the caliper off and I still have air and no pedel. I am beginning to think my master need rebuilding but cant find a good source for a rebuild kit and cant buy a new master.

Front or rear?

rear

I was able to get a rebuild kit from my dealer. Even after I rebuilt it I had issues and wound up replacing it with a used unit from Pinwall.

After getting it fixed I took a close look inside my MC and saw a hairline scratch.

Got a cross reference so I can search ebay.

search for "Triumph Speedmaster rear master cylinder". Theres a couple on there. This one looked best: best one $49

Thanks Z calling dealer tomorrow, this really sucks I wanted to start riding this week

You still have a front brake! (mumbles under breath "sissy")

Tempting very tempting

Truth be told I would go with only a front brake, done it before. Just have to be careful. My old chopper had less brakes than just a front on one of ours when both were fully operational!

well it decided to snow tonight so they but a ****** ton more salt down. we had 2 good days of rain cleaning the roads now more salt

When mine went out I had a MULTI day ride coming up and did it with front only. I never rode as carefully as I did then.
I feel your pain man but at least it's crap weather for you still.

All ordered be here end of the week with some luck. I guess I will take everything off tomorrow any tips doing this?

All so can I switch the hard line and the soft line on the junction. The braided line I was given was very tight. I want to put the hard line on the front of junction with the switch and the soft line on the back with the banjo bolt.

The only thing I would highly and strongly suggest is that you push fluid in from the caliper side. Do it slowly and keep and eye on the reservoir level.
I can't speak to the lines...never even looked at em. I do need to get to my switch though. My rear brake isn't triggering the lights.

I think the big syringe method sounds good.

Slow down Z force in from the caliper you lost me explain this for me would you how why what?

Cheap big syringe in through the bleeder.

thanks Z and dogg

This is getting good reviews... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Phoenix-Systems-V-5-DIY-Reverse-Brake-Bleeder-2104-B-/161240553174

Cant aford it now but its on my watch list thanks

If you can't afford that thing, buy a large syringe at a feed store. Buy a small piece of clear plastic hose at the autoparts store to fit over the end and then a 1/4" piece of hose to act as an adapter that will fit over an M7 bleed valve. The syringe and hose will cost you less than $5. DO SUPERGLUE the hose onto the syringe and the 1/4" piece onto the smaller hose as they will blow off under pressure otherwise. You can't use speed bleeders for pushing in brake fluid as they have 1 way check valves that stop the brake fluid. Use regular bleed valves. Wrap your caliper in a towel and you may have to wrap the bleed valve with teflon tape so it doesn't seep under pressure. Keep the cap off our master cylinder and keep an eye on the level of the brake fluid.

I have to add to this again as I just had a battle with my brakes that pissed me off beyond belief.
I rode so few times last year that I forgot I had a rear brake issue. I had minimal pressure and I meant to follow up on this late last year and forgot. As I was going through the bike to check it before my road trip this week I found that that little pressure had turned to no pressure.

Long story short I got fed up fiddling with it and drained the entire rear line and started feeding fluid back into it. Still no pressure. I found that my brake tool was allowing air into the system and I saw bits of the rubber seal from the plunger floating in the tool. I emptied the system again and went old school and started feeding in fluid from the reservoir. It got better but there was still only minimal pressure.

I removed the caliper, compressed the pistons, used a paint stir stick to keep some space between the pads and let the caliper hang over the swing arm. Now I was seeing the bubbles come up and after a few cycles of three presses on the pedal and cracking the bleed nipple all was well in the universe again. I did have to use Karen to help me do this but it worked well.

I thought Id share because sometimes things just don't go right and you need to go old school but old school can be a pain if you don't remember the tricks.

Ya in the end I had to pull caliper off before I got a good brakes. I believe that is the trick and the best thing to do on our brakes.

I went and bought the Harbor Freight brand brake bleeder/vacuum pump but after reading these post I think I might return the unopened package and bleed the brakes the old fashion way. Seems everyone is using their wives to help, as a widower I may have to go hire a hooker to help. me.

My 9 year old was helping me I could ship him to ya

Just simply bleeding the brakes is ez the old fashioned way. Removing all the old fluid while flushing out the system with new fluid is where the hand pump shines best. Since I got one I make it a point to do both bikes at the beginning of every spring. I don't know about you guys but the last place I want to see my wife is in my bike shed!

Smaug. Which pump brand do you use?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_391590_391590?cm_mmc=Bing-{adtype}-_-Auto Repair-_-Brake Repair-_-33160
this one

And you may be able to use the mightyvac for "other" things. It does create a good vacuum!
Autozone carrys the mightyvac.