Front Brake Question

Yes, I guess I do swear by the Mityvac vacuum pump, but it only does the first part of the job. It will quickly fill an empty system or change out the fluid in one that needs it. But I always finish up with the old fashioned hand pumping. It is a huge work saver though. If you've ever tried to re-fill an empty system with just hand pumping, you know it can take ages.

When I'm changing fluid, I draw off most of the old fluid from the reservoir first then pour fresh fluid on top. No sense pulling all that old fluid through the system.
 
Thanks for all the replies!!

I finally got around to working on it again tonight. It now has some brake feel/action. Just some.... I tired the lever in and taped a good bit. I'll let it sit with the lever tied in for a few days and check it this weekend.

Thanks,
HH
 
Worked on mine until I couldn't stand defeat any longer.Built muscles like Schwarzenegger on my right hand and now risk carpal tunnel. Bought a Mity-Vac and pressure pumped the fluid out 'til I got pressure and then bled as usual - kinda like 5T suggested. Funny that!
 
Idk it was a.real mystery for me I had pressure at mc just couldn't get it. I'm thinking now maybe that slope on the special mc had me messed up. Maybe try taking mc off bars or just be sure the piston is at lowest point.
 
Yes, there is beaucoup info on this site about getting a vertical line between MC and calliper, bleeding from the MC Banjo and back bleeding by filling the calliper and depressing the piston to force air up the line. I tried most of these with limited success but then, it may have been my technique. As Mailman and several others here have indicated, bleeding the front brake after a rebuild can try the patience of Job. I wasn't keen to fork out for a vacuum bleeder but, it worked and I have the tool for later use. The experts here know their stuff
 
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The front brake was feeling really great this afternoon. I started it up and had it idling in the driveway. I thought to myself "take it for a ride and see how those brakes are, just around the block". So I left it idling and ran inside for my helmet and gloves. Could not have been more than 20 seconds. I came out the back door and all was quiet. I came around the minivan and the bike is laying on its side. I stood it up. The front brake lever is crushed and has no pressure at all (can you say start over). Both turn signals are broken, tank is dented.

Who ever made that kickstand should be reprimanded!!

Back to the parts stores with a long list now. Top of the list is to fix that stand!!!!

See ya,
HH
 
HappyHunter said:
The front brake was feeling really great this afternoon. I started it up and had it idling in the driveway. I thought to myself "take it for a ride and see how those brakes are, just around the block". So I left it idling and ran inside for my helmet and gloves. Could not have been more than 20 seconds. I came out the back door and all was quiet. I came around the minivan and the bike is laying on its side. I stood it up. The front brake lever is crushed and has no pressure at all (can you say start over). Both turn signals are broken, tank is dented.

Who ever made that kickstand should be reprimanded!!

Back to the parts stores with a long list now. Top of the list is to fix that stand!!!!

See ya,
HH
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear this happened to you. :(
 
Hello HH,
Like Gary, I empathise with you over that unfortunate accident. I find it difficult to get my SE on her centre stand and I don't trust the side stand for the obvious reasons but we can't stand around holding them up. This whole XS resto bit is a continuous learning curve and, sometimes we have to learn he hard way, even when it isn't our fault. Always look on the positive - she's running and you have done a lot of the required repair work before, so you'll be good at it. As for the tank - just fork out the bucks my friend and get back onboard. Wind in your hair will wash a lot of disappointment away.
Cheers
 
HappyHunter said:
The front brake was feeling really great this afternoon. I started it up and had it idling in the driveway. I thought to myself "take it for a ride and see how those brakes are, just around the block". So I left it idling and ran inside for my helmet and gloves. Could not have been more than 20 seconds. I came out the back door and all was quiet. I came around the minivan and the bike is laying on its side. I stood it up. The front brake lever is crushed and has no pressure at all (can you say start over). Both turn signals are broken, tank is dented.
Who ever made that kickstand should be reprimanded!!
Back to the parts stores with a long list now. Top of the list is to fix that stand!!!!
See ya,
HH
Click to expand...

Hi HH,
so it fell sideways off it's center stand? That's a bad thing to have happen, eh?
I've vibration-raced my bike backwards on it's center stand on concrete driveways so I'm guessing your driveway ain't paved.
And the reprimand should perhaps be given to the guy who left his bike running unattended?
 
I think the later sidestand, the one that mounts and pivots on the large post, is quite good. Granted, you sometimes need to build the foot up by welding some plate to it's bottom so the bike doesn't lean over too far. This is usually required if you install longer than stock aftermarket rear shocks but sometimes even an all stock bike will benefit from it.
 
So I checked the damage from the fall just now. It is leaking brake fluid at the banjo connection of the master cylinder. It looks like the fall loosened that connection. There is only one copper crush gasket there. I'm thinking there should be two (one on each side of the banjo, right?) I'll have to pick some up.Can I use the same ones that are for a car?

Thanks,
HH
 
HappyHunter said:
So I checked the damage from the fall just now. It is leaking brake fluid at the banjo connection of the master cylinder. It looks like the fall loosened that connection. There is only one copper crush gasket there. I'm thinking there should be two (one on each side of the banjo, right?) I'll have to pick some up.Can I use the same ones that are for a car?
Thanks,
HH
Click to expand...

Hi HH,
sure you can, hydraulics is hydraulics; the gasket don't know it ain't on a car, eh?
 
HappyHunter said:
So I checked the damage from the fall just now. It is leaking brake fluid at the banjo connection of the master cylinder. It looks like the fall loosened that connection. There is only one copper crush gasket there. I'm thinking there should be two (one on each side of the banjo, right?) I'll have to pick some up.Can I use the same ones that are for a car?

Thanks,
HH
Click to expand...
Well if it is a solid copper washer and not one with a fiber insert you can reuse. One trick is to heat the used washer red hot and drop into water to anneal it. Unlike steel where doing that will make it hard copper actually gets soft.

But for now I would just snug it up and see if that works.
 

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