What I learned while bleeding brakes

1982 XJ550.

I bought this bike two years ago with just 6K on the clock; it was sitting in a guy's house like a piece of furniture. Original everything, bone stock. I got an xjbikes subscription and read everything I could and took heed to brakes, valves, everything rubber, etc.... I can do mechanical work but I had Rick overhaul the carbs.

My last work prior to getting it on the road this spring was to replace the handlebars with Eurobends and Napoleon end mirrors while refurbishing the front brake system.

Once I got the master and wheel cylinders rebuilt and mounted the braided hydraulic lines the system would NOT bleed and pressurize, even with my Mightyvac. After some thought I pulled the system apart to inspect and I found that the small diameter hydraulic seal in the master cylinder was torn up. I ordered a new kit, rebuilt it again, inspected the cylinder tube...all was well. Once she was back together, I ran about 3 cycles of Mightyvac cycles, then taped the brake handle to the throttle and let it sit overnight. The next day the system pressurized by itself without the Mightyvac and it's now ready to go.

Lesson: Be patient, I think that this is a job that required patience. If it is not working, it's not magic, something is wrong. Find it, fix it and try again.

 

Getting ready to re-do my brakes my self. So good to know.

 

Its called gravity bleeding. It can work but as youve seen its very slow.

 

You should go back and do a quick re-bleed after a few "heat cycles" I can about guarantee that you'll get a bubble or two.

 

Roger Fitz, will do.

 

The method which seems the best to me is to reverse how it is traditionally done: from the caliper, pump the brake fluid IN and have the reservoir uncovered. Keep pushing the fluid.fluid until the reservoir is filled ... no bleeding required.

 

What? We can get Rick to do the carbs for us?

 

Maybe, but you have to ask nicely.