 front brake bleeding
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 30
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 30 |
I'm having an issue bleeding front brakes. I changed my fluid and trying to bleed them, I cant get a good feel on the lever. It comes into about 1]2 inch of the grip when squeezed. I have the bike on a lift with the wheel up. When I spin the wheel it seems the brakes work when squeezed. I just dont remember this much lever travel. Any tips for getting a better feel at the lever or does this much travel seem normal.
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Re: front brake bleeding
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,217 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,217 Likes: 61 |
There are several methods to bleed brakes. On a tough one like you have I use a clean glass jar with brake fluid in it. I take a piece of tubing, clear is best making it easier to see bubbles, put one end of the tube on the bleeder with it open. Put the other end in the jar making sure it stays under the level of the fluid. Pump the lever watching for air in the jar, once there is no more air you should be good to go. Be sure to keep fluid in the reservoir during the process or you will introduce more air into the system. Once bled you may have to tie the lever back over night if you still do not have a good feel.
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Re: front brake bleeding
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
The front brakes are notoriously hard to get bled first time and since, by the sounds of it, you already have an air bubble in there it you need to get that out ASAP.
Due to the way the caliper is mounted they tend to get an air bubble at the top most portion of the caliper.
Easiest solution is to do the best you can then zip tie or velcro (any way you can really) the lever back overnight. Leave the reservoir cap off as well. This will allow that tiny troublesome air bubble to escape on its own accord.
The other way is to position the caliper as though its hanging from the brake line so that any air will work its way up. Bleed them dry again and refill from the bottom up.
One you have this resovled bleed from the caliper up next time. Its a pain in the ass but it prevents that darn air bubble from happening.
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Re: front brake bleeding
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Quote:
The front brakes are notoriously hard to get bled first time and since, by the sounds of it, you already have an air bubble in there it you need to get that out ASAP.
Due to the way the caliper is mounted they tend to get an air bubble at the top most portion of the caliper.
Easiest solution is to do the best you can then zip tie or velcro (any way you can really) the lever back overnight. Leave the reservoir cap off as well. This will allow that tiny troublesome air bubble to escape on its own accord.
The other way is to position the caliper as though its hanging from the brake line so that any air will work its way up. Bleed them dry again and refill from the bottom up.
One you have this resolved bleed from the caliper up next time. Its a pain in the ass but it prevents that darn air bubble from happening.
And if you're getting straight fluid from each caliper and still have a soft lever, place rags under the first fitting on the master, crack it open slightly and give it a slow complete stroke, shutting it tight, right at full stroke. That's the protocol/procedure on a lot of old cars as well. I just did my Florida bike last week, and found a trapped air bubble in the line just past the master and found acceptable brakes after one bleed. 
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Re: front brake bleeding
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 30
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 30 |
Thanks for the advise on tying the lever back to the grip. Did this this morning after TheDog33 suggested it and left it for a few hours. Just took the tie off it and have just about a full lever of stopping power. Ive never had trouble doing car or bike brakes. Had me stumped.
Thanks Again
Steve
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Re: front brake bleeding
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
I have used the bungie cord lever squeeze as well, I suspect that it squeezes the last air bubble out that resides right on the line side of the first fitting. Theoretically, it shouldn't work, but the results say it all.
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