Motorcycle Mike
Well-known member
Hey guys,
So despite how long I've been riding and how many bikes I've had, I never actually replaced brake fluid before.
Both my bikes are overdue for new fluid, so I gave it a go. Here are the steps I took -- tell me where I went wrong and what I need to do to fix it.
1) I want to replace my bleeders with speed bleeders, so first I left the master cylinder cap on, loosened the stock bleeder and pumped a bit with a hose on it to collect the fluid.
2) I then removed the MC cap, pumped a little more (still lots of fluid in there). This is where I think I made a catastrophic mistake -- I decided to remove the stock bleeder while the MC cap was off, and of course a lot of fluid came out. I don't believe the MC ever emptied, but I could be wrong.
3) I put the speed bleeder in, tightened it, then backed if off 1/4 to 1/2 a turn, filled the MC, and pumped.
Now the problem -- pressure isn't building. I keep pumping and pumping -- either with the bleeder closed or open 1/4 a turn -- nothing. The fluid level doesn't change, but pressure never builds.
I've watched the youtube videos, I've searched the forums... but it doesn't seem to work. What can I do now to fix this?
Also, for when I get around to changing the bleeder on the rear brakes and the Vstrom, what is the correct procedure for changing this?
Thanks in advance.
So despite how long I've been riding and how many bikes I've had, I never actually replaced brake fluid before.
Both my bikes are overdue for new fluid, so I gave it a go. Here are the steps I took -- tell me where I went wrong and what I need to do to fix it.
1) I want to replace my bleeders with speed bleeders, so first I left the master cylinder cap on, loosened the stock bleeder and pumped a bit with a hose on it to collect the fluid.
2) I then removed the MC cap, pumped a little more (still lots of fluid in there). This is where I think I made a catastrophic mistake -- I decided to remove the stock bleeder while the MC cap was off, and of course a lot of fluid came out. I don't believe the MC ever emptied, but I could be wrong.
3) I put the speed bleeder in, tightened it, then backed if off 1/4 to 1/2 a turn, filled the MC, and pumped.
Now the problem -- pressure isn't building. I keep pumping and pumping -- either with the bleeder closed or open 1/4 a turn -- nothing. The fluid level doesn't change, but pressure never builds.
I've watched the youtube videos, I've searched the forums... but it doesn't seem to work. What can I do now to fix this?
Also, for when I get around to changing the bleeder on the rear brakes and the Vstrom, what is the correct procedure for changing this?
Thanks in advance.