Motorcycle Brake Bleeding Procedure from Sportbiketrackgear.com

[zenrr1]

What a brilliant marketing effort: make a informative, easy to understand video on replacing brake lines showing people how easy it is and sell brake line replacement kits. Again, brilliant. I got to hand it you. I'm now going to leave youtube and go over to STG.com and place my order.

[thunzie]

Great video, thanks! A question, rather than use the speed bleeder bag, would it make sense to use a length of clear line and just run that from the bleeder valve direct back into your bottle of brake fluid?

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@thunzie No that would contaminate the fluid in the bottle. Never reuse brake fluid or mix new and old fluid.

[TheRaulr151]

Awesome vid STG. I was able to bleed my front and back breaks today with the parts I ordered from you thanks to this vid.

Never done it before but had total confidence doing it. Thanks for helping me save money by knowing how to do this myself!

[GitaneMan]

a tube and a poly bag but a 2 man job but stll the best way

[Zed100000]

wow man thanks - i saw your video ages ago and convinced me i could do it - bought a mitivac kit, but i stupidly forgot about the nipple at the master!!! - it took me about 3 + hours because i bleed from the furthest nipple! I ended up with a lever that was 'sort of' ok.

I decided to watch your video again -saw the master nipple and the correct sequence and now my lever is awesome!

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR VIDEO!

[jayakody101]

please help me dude.. um in a serious problem... i have a HONDA HORNET 250cc.. i wanted to bleed brake oil.. so i did it... but now i can't pressure up the break unit again... (front break) :( :( :( what can i do with this now???

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@jayakody101 If you have followed these steps closely and have a problem you have a part failure. What method are you using?

[XmisterIS]

I've never changed the brake lines on my bike before, but having watched all your videos through, starting with Brake Line Install Part 1 - I am very grateful to you for showing us so clearly how to do this. You cover everything, slowly and methodically. Thanks a lot! I'm going to order some new brake lines now and save myself a packet on workshop costs. :o)

[bobwatters]

great video guys.

but one thing that yall didnt say is that when you do the method of pumping the lever then pulling it when you open it you have to close it before the lever is pulled all the way in.

just did this to my brakes and they feel stronger than they did from the factory!

[Wiizy23]

I did the no no I let my master cylinder run dry now I have no brake pressure and I tried to bleed the brakes but no fluid is coming what is the next step?

[vicenterr7]

Thanks a bunch!

[AlpinestarsR6]

Hi top video guys but how much to tighten the banjo bolt after braided brake lines in and also bleed nipples how much to tighten them as I don't want to over do mine!!

Cheers Paul

[klaytonreed]

You guys are life savers!! Great video!!! Thanks!!!

[smokeyvv]

My z1000 takes DOT3

[6andrew2]

Excellent video. Thank you bery much.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@6andrew2 No worries we are here to help

[mastenas]

is not good metod

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@mastenas This is tried and tested use with complete confidence.

[mastenas]

@Sportbiketrackgear I remembered later that my method was for single kaliper

[mastenas]

@Sportbiketrackgear said that because I thought it could damage the thread of Kaliper

[mastenas]

@Sportbiketrackgear the ideal is a vacuum system

[opmike343]

@mastenas

You think you could come up with something more than half a sentence fragment to support your argument?

[CeletenteFan223]

@mastenas this is the exact method described in service manuals.

[shortyjk95]

Great job guys helped me out a lot

[mileni1234567]

thanks for the video

Milenko gsxr k7

bosnia and herzegovina

[dstaffx]

Did you wear that watch to match the Bike:)

Great vid. I am going to do my brakes myself now

[a6km]

Just a thought: Replacing the DOT 4 with DOT 5 will not improve your braking power or anything like that so just stick with what the manufacturer says. DOT 5 has higher boiling point that DOT 4 but attracts more water and it is used mainly in racing so for the road and track days DOT 4 is perfect.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@a6km Using DOT 5.1 in place of DOT 4 is perfectly acceptable. Do not use standard dot 5 unless the system calls for it specifically.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@a6km Yes follow the same procedure using the available bleeder screws.

[BoostedSV]

awesome video guys..really helped me out

[pbeens]

I installed speed bleeders on my bike and it makes bleeding the lines incredibly easy. You don't have to keep opening and closing the bleed valve, like they show in this video. Great investment, IMO.

[johnny21usaf]

Thanks guys. Any idea about older bikes? I can bleed it the same right? But There's less bleed valves right?

[wayne840]

great video watched it time and time again,nice and clear great keep up the good work i love thay bike mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm lol

[yagger72]

Thanks a bunch! I have pressure on my brakes now. I used a DOT 5.1 instead of DOT 4 stated on top of the reservoir. I think this should be fine.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@yagger72 The 5.1 fluid is perfect. Glad we could help!

Van

[yagger72]

I had been trying to bleed my front brakes for the past two days now and nothing seemed to work. I had used DOT 3 car brake fluid in an attempt to fill the reservoir. (DUMMY). But after seeing this video, this process seemed so easy to do. Before I proceed, will the DOT 3 that I had used damage the brake lines/caliper, etc.? How many bottle of fluid should I use? It seemed you guys had bleeded alot of fluid out. That fluid in the bag can be used again correct? Thanks.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@yagger72 No you will need to replace that with DOT4 fluid. The 3 should not hurt anyting, it just needs to be replaced with the proper fluid. As far as the fluid in the bag goes do not reuse that.

You sould be able to get this done with one pint bottle of fluid.

[Anthooonyyy]

Thanks for this video, was having trouble bleeding my front, worked first try doing it like you do!

Thx

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@Anthooonyyy Glad this helped!

[trentger1]

I recently tore apart the calipers on a 1982 cm450 Honda to clean everything, and had to replace the master cylinder. After reassembling everything, I just cannot get the darned thing to start bleeding. There is no valve on the master cylinder, only on the calipers. It just sucks and blows air out of the valve. Anything I can try to fix it? I can afford a bleeding kit, but if I can do it without, I'd love to save the money.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@trentger1 Please email me direct and I will help out. service at sportbiketrackgear

Van

[djdonnelly1]

This has been perfect! I wasn't aware it needed to be so precise. Your technique is impressive.

Thank you!

[Deadsmple]

thanks this was just what I was looking for!

[delawarelocal]

Great video

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@delawarelocal Thank you

[djcjh]

What company makes the Power Bleeder that you reference, ie that uses an air compressor...? Is it Motive? or some other company...? Does sportbiketrackgear sell the power bleeder? (didn't see on website..) thx

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@djcjh We do offer one made by Mighty Vac. It is in the brake category for each bike. Shoot me an email at service@sportbiketrackgear and I will send you a link

[iliketoparty46]

Reverse bleed works better : )

[imstricken06]

if you open the valve first, you draw air IN.

you should always create pressure in the line by pumping the lever/pedal FIRST & HOLD IT, then pop open the valve, and shut it. thats the proper pway to do it.

(and dont you always start on the furthest caliper away from the master?)

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@imstricken06 In theory you would start at the circuit furthest away from the master. With a bike the reality is they are nearly the same. Starting at either caliper with a two line kit will be fine. Follow the procedure in this video and you will have no worries.

[prplnite88]

This was a great video. I was able to bleed my brakes by myself and it only took a few minutes. Please post any other videos on motorcycle repairs,

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@prplnite88 Keep your eye on our channel as we have a whole series on the way now

[wagner03mustang]

great video you guys

[akaQ9]

i dont know y he did it that way the first time, then did it the correct way halfway the video. hmmm... is there a reason for this? ive been a mechanic for 8 yrs and both cars and bikes, i do it for me the correct way which is pump it first, hold it, then open the valves and let the bubbles out and get a good pressure, then close the valves, then release until the bubbles are gone and you got a good pressure and feeling

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@akaQ9 My background is 20 years in auto repair. The easiest way to get the fluid moving initially when the system has been serviced is to open the screw, have the helper squeeze and hold the lever, close the screw and then have the helper release. Once I have fluid flowing I then have the helper pump the lever and hold. I have literally done this thousands of times and it works well.

[akaQ9]

@Sportbiketrackgear hmm, i didnt know that. I've always done it the other way for regular bleeding. But it would make sense to me if the master cylinder is brand new. At least for cars, i bench bleed the master cylinder first before installing it, then bleed the system like i normally do. I've never done it your way which is to open the valve first before pumping it, specially with fluid in it, coz that just pulls air in. Anyway, ill try ur way next time on my r1, ill c wat happens. tnx

[saleen308]

I just bought these spiegler lines from you. These video's you posted were a nice helping hand on the install...thanks!

[smugtugboat]

Thanks for this video it's very useful about time i got around to changing my break fluid since its 3 years old....

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@smugtugboat no worries

[TheTrinijoseph]

Thanks, gonna bleed it asap. my brakes are in a mess with air.

[macfahad]

If Im replacing brake fluid, I should first flush out as much brake fluid as i can? how should that part go?

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@macfahad Use a turkey baster and suck the brake reservior dry. Refill the reservior with new fluid and bleed the system while refilling the reservior a few times during the process

[macfahad]

@Sportbiketrackgear Thanks. Job done, thanks to this video.

[LOOTS243]

Thanks for tutorial! :P

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@LOOTS243 No worries

[LOOTS243]

@Sportbiketrackgear I can't get it to work? Do I haft to make a vacuum to the jar first? What I did was that I made a hose to a jar and made it airtight. And then I did what you did in the video, but it doesn't come anything out? I can see the brake fluid inside the bleed screw...

Thanks for the answer! :P

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@LOOTS243 The reservior for the old fluid does not need to be air tight. If you have an air tight container that can not expand that might even be a problem. First vent your jar. Now begin by filling the system with all the bleeder screws tight. Begin with the screw on the left caliper. Open the screw, squeeze the lever and hold, now tighten the screw. Repeat this on both sides until you have fluid flowing on each one. This will get the fluid moving so you can complete the process

[LOOTS243]

@Sportbiketrackgear Ok thanks! I will try that. So I just haft to bleed the brakes until it is coming fluid out of the hose? It can take up to 10 min or more before the fluid comes out right?

[4fyussef]

can you make a how to change tires on the same R1? i'd appreciate it

thx for the work !!

[Philscbx]

First, be gentle. Fluid agitation creates micro bubbles.

6 hrs later, bleed again to be 100%.

1 micro bubble can sit in middle of 3' line.

Pump master cylinder holding it down, then crack bleeder.

As was done in the last portion.

Less chance of air bubbles returning to caliper.

Reason not to over fill master, the cap has to breath.

It will leak, if you squeeze caliper, making pistons force back fluid.

You just applied paint stripper, if not DOT4 or better. # is heat related.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@Philscbx The brake fluid will expand when hot. A pocket of air must be maintained in the reservior to allow for this expansion. If there is no where for the fluid to go the brakes could drag and overheat etc...

[Philscbx]

@Sportbiketrackgear Master cylinder cap is vented along the threads. System will not function period w/o vent. Apply brake, release brake, each action allows fluid to move out & return to master. All brakes would lock up if not vented. Set up video, fill master to the top, put cap on, squeeze just one caliper. What just happened? Better get rags ready. Can't have expansion w/o back pressure. Expansion vents neutral atmospheric. 40yrs in the biz. Cheers

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@Philscbx You have forgotten the rubber seal/bladder that is under the cap. This seals against the surface of the reservior which is flat and smooth when the cap is tightened.

As brakes wear the baldder under the cap will then occupy the space formerly occupied by the brake fluid which is now in the calipers as the pads have worn and the void must be filled. This is not possible if the system were to be vented as the bladder would not move downward.

[LevKaursin]

Thank you all so much. Helped me and my dad bleed his brakes on his custom Suzuki GS 550 ES bored out to a 708 with ported and polished head. 1 step closer to being ridable. Thanks guys.

[123glh]

Thanks for the super video. After watching I was able to better understand my shop manual and bleed the front brake on my son's TTR 125L in just a few minutes.

[ithinkimjoe]

this video is perfect. thanks for making it. i tried changing the fluids all day with stuff from forums, but after watching this, i got it done it 20 mins.

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@ithinkimjoe You are welcome no worries

[IridiumVIII]

Another thanks for a great video!! Applied this technique for the rear on my bike and it worked as demonstrated. [new subscriber]

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@IridiumVIII No worries

[etude1]

Thanks for a great video guys, I learned a lot

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@etude1 You are welcome.

[319PurpleHaze]

i have tried this several times for a mile the brake pedal is perfect then all of a sudden when i apply brakes the pedal goes completely down and the bike never brakes ..whats wrong ?

i have tried this several times

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@319PurpleHaze You may have a faulty master cylinder or a leak in the brake system. If you are not comfortable diagnosing this please take it in to the shop.

[MrWilliamssm]

thanks very much very usefull this explains purfect

[arshishb]

Really helpful video, thanks STG! Wasted so much of my time prior to this doing the wrong way.

[hermogino]

Thanks for the video. For the second time, I've read instructions on how to perform some maintenance on my bike and I didn't quite understand the procedure until I saw it on video. This is a big help. I will bleed mine this Saturday. My front brake lever, when squeezed, feels like you're squeezing grains of rice in a Ziploc bag. You squeeze it and just when you think you've squeeze it the lever to the max, you can squeeze further. I think it's time! (I'm going to check the pads too.)

[Sportbiketrackgear]

@hermogino The power bleeder using an air compressor is the easiest way. It is very easy to do. Basically you hook one end to the compressor, the other to the bleeder screw. You then squeeze the trigger on the power bleeder and crack the bleeder screw open. You will see the fluid flowing in the hose of the power bleeder into the tank of the bleeder. Close the bleeder screw and then release the handle on the power bleeder.

[jkddaddy]

great vid; covered all the basics without missing anything and all visible on the video. I've seen the hand pump tools, but since I have an air compressor, I was hoping you'd give just a bit more detail on the "air compressor" method? Any insights? - sounds awesomely fast!

[rdhr151]

I was going about 25 mph the other day when my front brakes started to grab harder and harder until i had to come to a stop...my front brake lever was hard as a rock and after I broke out the tool bag and released the pressure from the calipers via the bleed valves i rode it back home within a quarter mile...While I was releasing the pressure I noticed my front brake lever would only go in about halfway before hitting some kind of a stop and would not go any further Why did it do this? Thanx

[CaptSaveAHo3]

I have a compressor, where do I get the power bleeder?

[e30Birdy]

One thing i would add is to ziptie down the lever overnight so there is pressure in the lines and it gets ride of the last air bubbles if any as they rise. But thats just how i do it.

[e30Birdy]

i know this is old vid but i just saw it cause i am looking to get all black lines for my 08 blade and wanted to know what fluid i should get.. DOT5.1 right?

[bb4812]

Wonderful video. You guys saved my weekend. I tried using one of those vacuum devices and could never get it to work. Your method was a lot simpler and better. Thank you very much.

[IntoxicatedRebel]

My front breaks go soft the more the front wheel spins. If i pump the lever it will get had again but once the front wheen starts spining it gets soft again. Any idea why this is?

[e30Birdy]

@IntoxicatedRebel could be your master cylander broke or you didnt bleed em all the way. Might want to have it checked out

[IntoxicatedRebel]

My front breaks go soft the more the front wheel spins. If i pump the lever it will get had again but once the front wheen starts spining it gets soft again. Any idea why this is?

[gixxageeza]

Top video guys.......now gonna put it to the test.....

[irongiant101]

what about using a torque wrench to make sure every thing is properly torqued? lol. you always need to put it tighter than what it specs any ways. great vid tho.

[hotandsweetbmw]

mystery? dude, its freaking simple as it can be...theres no freaking mystery haha

[Nosteratees]

Your shop videos are a great help, lads. I'd recently purchased myself a chain and sprocket kit and was on the point of sending it off to have it fitted when I saw your other vid about how to do it yourself.

Now I'm bleeding my brakes and whaddya know. STG come up trumps again. Cheers.

[hydrasin1]

good starter vid guys. You might want to emphasize that brake fluid will destroy your paint.

[py4mab]

thanks for help me. nice bike

MAURICIO BERALDO PY4MAB

BRAZIL

[KombatMortal123]

thank guys!!!!!! really helpful!!

[flytopete]

i did it all on my R6 but my brake lever need´s to be pulled all the way to the handlebar to stop the bike, is that air in the lines? i also used DOT 5.1 instead of DOT 3 & 4 would that be the issue?

[hydrasin1]

you should really use the correct brake fluid. Not sure what is is on an R6 but on my SV650 its DOT 4

[flytopete]

@hydrasin1

I bled the 5.1 fluid and refilled with DOT 4 instead and things changeda lot.

Nevertheless, i think the guy on the shop is not doing thing correctly since y still get a spoungy feel on the lever :(

[hydrasin1]

@flytopete

if your brake is still feeling 'crunchy' it might just be that you need to lube up the pivot point of your brake lever. Try putting some axle grease in there and see if it helps.

[flytopete]

@hydrasin1

well, it`s more like squeezing a sponge, like a soft spring rebound feel. it used to be more precise when applying the front brake before this guy replaced the old fluid, would you say that could be considered unsafe for braking?

[hydrasin1]

Ya I would say its unsafe. The two main safety features of your bike are your tires and brakes,you want both to be in perfect operating condition. I bled my brakes today using a 4 foot length of 3/8 inch vinyl tubing like the one in the video, except the one i bought cost $1.44 and I had it empty into a glass bottle. In this video there's tons of bubbles coming out of the lines. You dont want any bubbles at all. If you dont have any air in your lines, you might need to service your calipers.

[hydrasin1]

also, dont let that guy touch your bike anymore

[wzord]

Great Video!! You guys explained everything very well including other options. You saved me a lot of money, thank you.

[sonic913]

thanks for the vid really helped out

[Sportbiketrackgear]

You are welcome

[ttttrant01]

Real good video!! cheers

[nieseba2]

Excellent video and an excellent product! I was able to install my lines this morning with no issues at all. The adjustable banjo fitting was helpful because I did need to rotate it a little. Your videos were very helpful.

[petecurtis2]

Thanks. I could not even see what they were doing on the other videos that I watched.

[stefanopola82]

Awesome video guys, very informative!!

How about clutch bleeding? Same technique?

Cheers

[MikSane]

you guys should send me an STG t shirt because i am a huge fan !

[Sportbiketrackgear]

Sorry we are all out my brother

[flarehaze]

I've watched a few vids on this topic on youtube and I have to say this one bumped up my confidence to do it myself! Great job guys!

[Migoreng0]

Awsome Video guys!!!

[Sportbiketrackgear]

Thanks and enjoy, hope this helps

[binokoda]

Informative video, thanks for this!