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Trouble bleeding front brakes
- brich
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21 May 2008 20:16 #215010
by brich
1975 Z1 900, 1075 wiesco kit, web cams, smooth bores, dyna ignition, denco pipe, lester mags, wicked bad rotors, custom gauge face plates .. not much stock left.
Trouble bleeding front brakes was created by brich
Hey all - long time no post.
So I am back to work on my z and am having a tough time buliding up pressure for my front brakes.
The specifics:
New master cylinder, aftermarket from that guy selling them on eBay.
New stainless steel brake lines
Rebuilt calipers
Dual front disk setup
I used a vacuume pump to bleed and also tried the good ole' lever pump, hold, crack bleeder, (spurt - no air), tighten bleeder. I went through an entire can of brake fluid and still I can pull the level back to the grip when I grasp it hard.
The brake engages when I spin the front wheek, but it feels too mushy.
The bike isn't on the road at the moment (no gas tank) so I can't ride it to tell if that is just how it feels and it is working, or not. So my question is, could this be a normal feel for the dual disk with steel lines and a new (but semi-cheaply manufactured) master cylinder? Sound like I am missing anything?
:dry:
So I am back to work on my z and am having a tough time buliding up pressure for my front brakes.
The specifics:
I used a vacuume pump to bleed and also tried the good ole' lever pump, hold, crack bleeder, (spurt - no air), tighten bleeder. I went through an entire can of brake fluid and still I can pull the level back to the grip when I grasp it hard.
The brake engages when I spin the front wheek, but it feels too mushy.
The bike isn't on the road at the moment (no gas tank) so I can't ride it to tell if that is just how it feels and it is working, or not. So my question is, could this be a normal feel for the dual disk with steel lines and a new (but semi-cheaply manufactured) master cylinder? Sound like I am missing anything?
:dry:
1975 Z1 900, 1075 wiesco kit, web cams, smooth bores, dyna ignition, denco pipe, lester mags, wicked bad rotors, custom gauge face plates .. not much stock left.
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- apeman
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21 May 2008 20:42 #215013
by apeman
Petaluma and Truckee, CA -- member since Jan. 23, 2003;
PREVIOUS KZs: 1980 KZ750H with 108,000 miles; 1980 KZ750E with 28,000 miles; and KZ750H street/cafe project, all sold a few years back.
This is what I do for fun, not for work. It is art, with a little engineering thrown in.
Replied by apeman on topic Trouble bleeding front brakes
No, you should have a very firm brake with your new components. You have some air bubbles somewhere. I had to remove the calipers, and raise them above the level of the M/C, then bleed them again to get the last bits of air out. Also, after I got it close, I used them for about a week, then did it again. My handle is extremely firm now.
If you search, you will find a number of old threads that discuss this same issue. Good luck, and let us know what finally works for you.
/
If you search, you will find a number of old threads that discuss this same issue. Good luck, and let us know what finally works for you.
/
Petaluma and Truckee, CA -- member since Jan. 23, 2003;
PREVIOUS KZs: 1980 KZ750H with 108,000 miles; 1980 KZ750E with 28,000 miles; and KZ750H street/cafe project, all sold a few years back.
This is what I do for fun, not for work. It is art, with a little engineering thrown in.
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- brich
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21 May 2008 21:12 #215020
by brich
1975 Z1 900, 1075 wiesco kit, web cams, smooth bores, dyna ignition, denco pipe, lester mags, wicked bad rotors, custom gauge face plates .. not much stock left.
Replied by brich on topic Trouble bleeding front brakes
Sounds like what I will be trying next then. Thanks for the advice apeman.
I will no doubt let you know how it turns out.
D@mn .. your name got that Kinks song stuck in my head now. :laugh:
I will no doubt let you know how it turns out.
D@mn .. your name got that Kinks song stuck in my head now. :laugh:
1975 Z1 900, 1075 wiesco kit, web cams, smooth bores, dyna ignition, denco pipe, lester mags, wicked bad rotors, custom gauge face plates .. not much stock left.
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- PLUMMEN
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21 May 2008 21:16 #215022
by PLUMMEN
Still recovering,some days are better than others.
Replied by PLUMMEN on topic Trouble bleeding front brakes
pull your lever back as far as it will go and zip tie it to handle bar leave it like that overnight,then come back next day and crack bleeder valve open.that should force the air one way or the other out of system then bleed the other caliper normally;)
Still recovering,some days are better than others.
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- brich
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21 May 2008 21:19 #215025
by brich
1975 Z1 900, 1075 wiesco kit, web cams, smooth bores, dyna ignition, denco pipe, lester mags, wicked bad rotors, custom gauge face plates .. not much stock left.
Replied by brich on topic Trouble bleeding front brakes
Just ran out in the garage and zip tied it right now! Thank u sir.
1975 Z1 900, 1075 wiesco kit, web cams, smooth bores, dyna ignition, denco pipe, lester mags, wicked bad rotors, custom gauge face plates .. not much stock left.
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- PLUMMEN
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21 May 2008 21:31 #215027
by PLUMMEN
Still recovering,some days are better than others.
Replied by PLUMMEN on topic Trouble bleeding front brakes
SIR ?????? im a semi retired plummen,electrical,hvac contractor.i work for a living (sometimes anyway!!!:laugh: )
Still recovering,some days are better than others.
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- donthekawguy
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21 May 2008 23:20 #215036
by donthekawguy
Rathdrum Idaho
1971 Kawasaki g3ss
1972 Yamaha R5 350
1965 Suzuki Hillbilly
1964 Yamaha 125
Replied by donthekawguy on topic Trouble bleeding front brakes
WhenI did my brakes it took a good two weeks before they firmed up to where it felt good. I would take off the cover and pump the brakes slow and watch all the little tiny bubbles come up. That went on for about a week straight then it felt good enough to ride with.
Rathdrum Idaho
1971 Kawasaki g3ss
1972 Yamaha R5 350
1965 Suzuki Hillbilly
1964 Yamaha 125
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- Bluemeanie
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22 May 2008 06:41 #215076
by Bluemeanie
1980 KZ650F1, Bought new out the door for $2,162.98!
Replied by Bluemeanie on topic Trouble bleeding front brakes
When you put a new or rebuilt master on a car or bike you really should "bench" bleed the master first. I have a kit with fittings that pumps the fluid out and back into the resivour. Trying to pump fluid through a dry system with something that is not even bleed itself is a nightmare. That's what these guys are basically trying to tell you, the air is most likely in the master. Sometimes you can have trapped air in the calipers also which may require you to remove and rotate to have bleeder pointing up. Careful with the "lever pumping then crack the bleeder way", pump it too hard and you can take one air bubble and turn it into 20 bubbles. If your still having a problem you can also crack the bleeder first and then slowely squeeze the lever. Let us know...
1980 KZ650F1, Bought new out the door for $2,162.98!
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- Sandy
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- Fly High,Tony
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22 May 2008 07:37 #215093
by Sandy
1977 KZ1000 A-1
Replied by Sandy on topic Trouble bleeding front brakes
Just remember that you will probably have to hang the calipers at a certain angle to get all the air out.I went through the same thing,and eventually,that's what I did and it worked.Experiment with different angles and you'll get it eventually.
Don't forget to insert a piece of plywood in between each set of pads,so the piston doesn't push out all the way(and the pads.Make sure the plywood is thicker than the rotor.
This will make it much easier to re-install the calipers back over the rotors.
Don't forget to insert a piece of plywood in between each set of pads,so the piston doesn't push out all the way(and the pads.Make sure the plywood is thicker than the rotor.
This will make it much easier to re-install the calipers back over the rotors.
1977 KZ1000 A-1
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- Patton
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22 May 2008 10:53 #215129
by Patton
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Replied by Patton on topic Trouble bleeding front brakes
Consistent with the above good advice about correctly positioning the caliper when bleeding the brake lines, the FSM Supplement for 1976 KZ900-B1 LTD has instructions for bleeding the front brake lines which specifically include removing the calipers and holding them in position whereby the air bleed valve is on top pointing straight up during the bleeding operation.
Uncertain about exactly which caliper design is involved here or how the bleed valve is oriented with caliper mounted in its usual position on the bike.
Good Luck!
Uncertain about exactly which caliper design is involved here or how the bleed valve is oriented with caliper mounted in its usual position on the bike.
Good Luck!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- KawiConvert
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23 May 2008 13:38 #215381
by KawiConvert
1978 KZ650 D1 ~ Carb jetting: 107.5 & 20 & 4th groove with pods and 4-1 Exhaust
Replied by KawiConvert on topic Trouble bleeding front brakes
I bought a pair of speed bleeders and they did seem to help with bleeding the lines. I will have to get them back on and rebleed sometime next week though. You might give them a try, I got them off eblay for about 7.00 each.
1978 KZ650 D1 ~ Carb jetting: 107.5 & 20 & 4th groove with pods and 4-1 Exhaust
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- Becker
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- The Doctor Will Rise Again
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23 May 2008 16:50 #215416
by Becker
78 KZ750B3
79 KZ400 LTD
78 KZ650C2
79 KZ650C3
78 KZ650B2A
80 KZ650F1
80 KZ650E1
81 CB750K Super Sport
Replied by Becker on topic Trouble bleeding front brakes
Just one small thing to add to all the good advice already here, if you take a screwdriver handle and give the master cylinder and calipers a sharp rap. This will loosen any bubbles up and let them go to the bleeder.
78 KZ750B3
79 KZ400 LTD
78 KZ650C2
79 KZ650C3
78 KZ650B2A
80 KZ650F1
80 KZ650E1
81 CB750K Super Sport
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