brakes confusion

alright, so i got this old bike, repaired replaced yada yada yada. everythings alright and dandy. then brakes. my shoes finally came in so i installed, and decided to bleed....


(Master cylinder rebuilt, calipers rebuilt.)

I feel as if i get no where with trying to bleed here, There seems to be little if not any fluid level change in the "filling hole" of the res. only a small push up, and a push down in level as the brake lever is depressed. absolutely no fluid coming from the bleeder screws, however bubbly air can be heard.

what have i missed here? is this normal? i searched around trying to find an answer and the best i found was wrap the bleeder in teflon, go at it again just leaving it open, and pumping the brake about 100 times, and that did absolutely nothing. Brakes functioned before, maybe i've buggered something up? I really don't think so, master cylinder is pretty damned simple, if i did bugger it up i deserve a smack across my head. I've never bled brakes on an empty unit, only on my truck and whatnot after replacing brake lines ect. So i really don't know what to expect, but i didn't expect this. any ideas, experiences, magic words that help me make sense of whats happening here is greatly appreciated as always. For now i can't spend any more time out there, need to get to bed. besides that, pumping a brake for 2 hours really wears out your hands, guess i'll have no fun with those tonight.

 

I've posted my method before, which works damn well, so here it is again.
Starting with your newly re-build master, fill it with fluid and pump the lever, hold it in, then stick your finger or thumb over the banjo bolt hole, then release the lever then your digit and you will hear a pop or sucking sound, this is the fluid starting to move, repeat the procedure a few times and the fluid will really start to flow, connect up the hose and repeat the procedure at the other end of the hose with your finger or thumb when pumping the lever, then connect up to the caliper and start the procedure there, soon you will have a bled up system.
Hope this helps.

 

I use Mightyvac to bleed mine and highly suggest it
Start furthest point away from the mc
#1 Left Hand Side Anti Dive Unit
#2 Right Hand Side Anti Dive Unit
#3 Left Hand Side Caliper
#4 Right Hand Side Caliper

 

i don't have a mightyvac handy and i don't think i'll be buying one for this one time, so i'm gonna have to give FJ's advice a shot

 

just wanted to say i used FJ's method and it did indeed work. took a long ass time, mainly because i found i had my brake cable adjusted to loose, but 3 hours later, its all bled, functioning beautifully.

thanks man, was really starting to get worried there, espec after the first go around got me down to the anti drive, but was givin me very little in terms of pressure and fluid on the bleed. had to start allll over. rebuilding the brakes turned into a long job, orderin parts diagnosing, glad its over

 

Great stuff. I've said it before and i'll say it again, this method beats all the contraptions in the world, and it's free. :idea: