Hi all. I've got my 74 pretty much dialed in but the front brake is just not bleeding. It is a brand new 14mm MC with steel lines and a brand new caliper with pads. I have quite literally tried everyone's variation of "how to" yet still find my brake not working as it should. It seems perfect, then I roll forward about one revolution and all of a sudden the lever seems to have no pressure. Squeeze it a few times, it works fine for a few pulls and rolls, then it goes limp again. What gives? Any help appreciated.
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Attempt #8 Bleeding Brand New Brake MC and New Caliper/Pads
- Thread starter julienm94
- Start date
Likely still has some air in the line........air rises; I like to wrap a big rag around the top banjo fitting and crack the bolt quickly (loose, retighten fast) while squeezing the brake lever. Might take a few licks...
And when you squeeze the MC do you see bubbles?
If not, good chance the passage is clogged. Had it happen on more than one aftermarket MC.
I am a fan of bleeding with a compressor. You run through a little brake fluid but it bleeds in seconds.
If not, good chance the passage is clogged. Had it happen on more than one aftermarket MC.
I am a fan of bleeding with a compressor. You run through a little brake fluid but it bleeds in seconds.
Not a single leak anywhere. I am completely baffled.
Caliper is OEM. I had to get a new MC from Mikes (14mm). Maybe it's that.
I see little bubbles come out from the MC when I slowly press the lever in (avoiding splashing).
This is a very common aggravation and everyone has their favored technique. Sometimes they are just a bitch to bleed. I’ve had some that are perfect in 5 minutes effort and others that I had to walk away from and come back to it the next day. Do a forum search on bleeding the brakes and you’ll see a bunch of techniques. Here was a recent discussion,
https://www.xs650.com/threads/rebuild-front-brake-need-to-bleed-it-nope.58245/
For me, when I get it almost perfect but just not firm enough, I pull the brake lever all the way in and hold it there with a strap and leave it overnight. Usually by morning any remaining micro bubbles have risen to the top, and a few quick squeezes on the lever works them out.
https://www.xs650.com/threads/rebuild-front-brake-need-to-bleed-it-nope.58245/
For me, when I get it almost perfect but just not firm enough, I pull the brake lever all the way in and hold it there with a strap and leave it overnight. Usually by morning any remaining micro bubbles have risen to the top, and a few quick squeezes on the lever works them out.
AndersJ
XS650 Addict
+1 on zip tie the handle down and walk away. Especially when frustration is taking hold.
Seriously epic.
Just my two pence ( or cents) worth but I recently had the same issue on another bike..leaving the bike overnight to let bubbles rise helped but I also took a drill on hammer mode and pressed a backwards fitted bit onto the banjo on the master cylinder..I thought 'what the hell' but it seemed to help agitate the trapped air enough to rise in the lines..obviously I protected the surrounding area incase I slipped with the drill but it definitely helped... I would normally have used the pressurised air method but I couldn't find all the parts in my shed...
I have tried with some success.
