TECH: Brake Bleeding the Easy Way!

My addition: replaced my brake line and was having hell trying to build pressure. Other bike I did it on had no problem pumping lever and cracking the screw. I could get fluid pushed this time but no pressure. Searched and saw all the advice about pushing fluid up. Ran out of time to search for tools to do it that way, then it hit me. Pull the caliper off and compress the piston with a c clamp. Went back and forth with the clamp and pumping the lever a few times, pit it all back together and bled it up nice and proper.

Just wanted to add my 2 bits for anyone in a bind without the make-your-life-easy tools

Last time I did brakes was on a GSXR, honestly I didn't give it a second thought when it came to attaching a line to the fitting at the caliper, cracking it ever so slightly and running it into a bottle of fluid. Popped the master cylinder open and started pumping away till I got clear fluid topping it off as it was needed. Took maybe 20 minutes for both calipers total. Only special tools I needed were a screw driver, some tubing, a mason jar with a couple holes in the lid and an adjustable wrench.

great write up. here is an idea that uses same positive pressure-closed system idea.

What I've used in the past is a medical syringe. Use at least 20cc one or you won't have enough fluid to charge system. get short tube (4-6") that will seal onto bleed screw and tip of whatever type syringe you use (there are two common types-lock type and cone type). Good seals are key here.

With everything hooked up and syringe almost full, pointing down (air will rise to other end of syringe), just push syringe down. it will push the air from syringe tube through caliper, brake line and all through the whole system and out the master cylinder, filling it also. again make sure you have the master cyliner cap off and not super full, and don't go pushing all crazy, its a low pressure system. when no more air bubbles, just fluid is comiing out of master cylinder, you are fully charged with no air in line. now tighten bleed screen before removing syringe-tube setup. works great. try it. syringes can be bought at most pharmacy, med supply stores.

sorry kinda long and wordy, but basically making closed system that starts with syringe, that you can press through system. takes some tinkering but hasn't missed a beat with me over the yrs.

no pics, but can add some later.

Or..........you can drop the 9.99 on this: I've been using this for 5 years. Works every time, and it looks a lot easier than putting something together.

brake bleeding is the worst, this idea is a good one. last time i did it i just tossed some speedbleeders on there and they work good.

Originally Posted by MarkF

great write up. here is an idea that uses same positive pressure-closed system idea.

What I've used in the past is a medical syringe. Use at least 20cc one or you won't have enough fluid to charge system. get short tube (4-6") that will seal onto bleed screw and tip of whatever type syringe you use (there are two common types-lock type and cone type). Good seals are key here.

With everything hooked up and syringe almost full, pointing down (air will rise to other end of syringe), just push syringe down. it will push the air from syringe tube through caliper, brake line and all through the whole system and out the master cylinder, filling it also. again make sure you have the master cyliner cap off and not super full, and don't go pushing all crazy, its a low pressure system. when no more air bubbles, just fluid is comiing out of master cylinder, you are fully charged with no air in line. now tighten bleed screen before removing syringe-tube setup. works great. try it. syringes can be bought at most pharmacy, med supply stores.

sorry kinda long and wordy, but basically making closed system that starts with syringe, that you can press through system. takes some tinkering but hasn't missed a beat with me over the yrs.

no pics, but can add some later.

it works i have done it on a rear brake for a sportyy.

Originally Posted by 2stroketim

Or..........you can drop the 9.99 on this: I've been using this for 5 years. Works every time, and it looks a lot easier than putting something together.

What is that?