Bleed Brake Fluid
Bleeding the brakeson a motorcycle is not a very difficult task. However, when performing thisregular maintenance procedure, it is very important that quality tools are used and correct procedures are followed in order to ensure safety and that no paint damage is inflicted upon the motorcyle.
Thetoolsyou need for brake bleeding include the following:
-Dual-ended wrench-Ratchet driver with a quarter-inch drive socket-Small hammer-Bleed bottle with rubber connecting hose-Phillips driver bit (usually the #2 size works the best)
The first step in bleeding brakes is to protect the motorcycles paint. This is done by covering the painted areas of the motorcycle with absorbant rags, especially those areas nearest the brake fluid reservoir. This way if any brake fluid is accidentally spilled, it'll soak up the fluid before it damages the paint.
Next, fill the brake fluid reservoir with manufacturer recommended brake fluid to a level that is just below the top of the reservoir. Also, pour brake fluid into the bleed bottle and make sure that the tube that flows out is below the surface of the brake fluid. After this, place the ring end of the wrench on the bleed nipple, then attach the bottle's rubber hose.
To begin the actual bleeding process, open the bleed nipple with about 1/3 of a turn of the wrench. Then, pump the lever several times repeatedly to move fluid into the brake hose. Keep adding brake fluid to the reservoir as you are doing this to keep air from entering the brake system.
After this, the brakes should be pumped three times and then held in. Then, close the bleed nipple and pump three more times. After this, with the lever in, open and then close the bleed nipple. Repeat this until no air bubbles are seen leaving the bleed tube. If the brake bleeding has been done correctly, the brake lever should feel firm when squeezed.
It's important to be very cautious when removing the bleed bottle as its hose will have brake fluid in it. Since the hose is made of rubber, it is likely to spring out and fling some brake fluid into the air. This could damage any uncovered paint areas or squirt into the eyes of the person doing the bleeding if they are not using safety goggles as they should be.
The final step is to top off the brake fluid in the reservoir to make sure it is at the manufacturer's suggested level.
