Brake bleeding tips

KZ_Rage wrote: I use this:

Vacuum Bleeder

works great, just keep refilling the master until all you get is clean fluid in the trap and all is good, no bubbles in my system, If you still have the stock splitter then you might want to take it loose from the tree and move it into different positions while bleeding to make sure there are no bubbles in there.

i have the same bleeder but i got mine a harbor freight for less

I'm trying to bleed the brakes the old fashioned way (or so I've read) without the pumps and accessories etc. on my '80 KZ750-H.

It had a gunky caliper cylinder/cup that needed cleaned. I did that and didn't see any glaring issues with the seals so I put it back together and started trying to get it road worthy again.

I've gotten each caliper bled to where there aren't any more air bubbles and have started pumping the brake lever to try to get the MC bled. It is bubbling air out into the fluid reservoir but it's also pumping silvery gunk with the bubbles. I've tried soaking up the cruddy fluid and refilling with new so that I don't run all that crap back through it but I'm curious on two things...

1. I can't build any pressure in the brake lever and am wondering if I'm likely patiently pump bleeding the brakes or wasting time pumping on a system that might have other issues...

and

2. I'm curious if the silver film in the fluid is just remnants of old fluid that didn't get flushed out or if it's a sign that something else has failed or is failing that I need to check out.

Very new to the DIY thing so if you notice any glaring errors I'm making don't hesitate to share.

Thanks.

See if the video helps any...

i bled mine yesterday after i rebuilt the master cylinder. it so easy with a cheap power bleeder. all you do is crack open the bleeder and pump the power bleeder to about 15 inch lbs and let it do the work. all i had to do was keep the master cylinder full. once i was done ( bleeder tightened up and cover on master cylinder) i just pulled the brake handle a few times and the brakes came up.

I may have to bite the bullet and get one... just hate to do it. I live out in the boonies and have to wait a week for anything to ship. Adds a lot of walking to my schedule being "a geographical oddity...one week from everywhere".

Thanks for the thoughts though.

How bad was the master cylinder rebuild? I probably need to sneak that in on my to-do list as well. There was A LOT of crap in the caliper cylinder and I assume the whole brake system is old enough to justify the whole rebuild/rundown but I've only had it a couple of weeks and my 6 block commute is short/safe enough to try to make my adjustments in bits instead of the all at once it would need if I was taking it out on the highway.

it was easy as hell. took me about 10 minutes to do on my diningroom table

That definitely beats how long I've been messing with this junk!

Did you find your power bleeder online? Any suggestions? I'm about two or three minor repairs past being a complete rookie.

i bought it at harbor freight near my house. its the same one on that link up a few in this thread. it works like a charm. its a good thing i had it. the color of the old fluid was nasty. real dark in color.

I'm getting to know the UPS guy pretty well... 200 miles away from the closest harbor freight!

Do you know if the site has any kind of "common location finder" for folks on the site? The online advice is really helpful but I feel like if there were someone near by with the same problems face-to-face could be more effective.

Just curious. Thanks for the help!

that im not sure of

No worries. Just curious. This thing is a blast to ride but is definitely trying to nickle and dime me past the wife's patience limit.

Thanks for the help.