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    Brake bleeding-can't get any pressure!

    Hello, I just put double disc front brakes on my gs450, I can't seem to get any pressure at all, I can't see any leaks and umm getting fluid from both bleed screws, I must have spent two hours and still nothing. Any ideas?
    Thanks!
    Dennis

    #2
    Did you ensure you bled the MC before doing the calipers? Sometimes air being trapped there won't help the rest of the system.
    sigpic
    Cowboy Up or Quit. - Run Free Lou and Rest in Peace

    1981 GS550T - My First
    1981 GS550L - My Eldest Daughter's
    2007 GSF1250SA Bandit - My touring bike

    Sit tall in the saddle Hold your head up high
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      #3
      That is strange if you are actually able to get both bled properly, well enough that brake fluid is coming from each bleeder. Really the only thing could be air in the lines, best method I've used is a simple syringe connected to the clear hose from the bleeder and suck the fluid and air right out the lines, works like a charm.
      Rob
      1983 1100ES, 98' ST1100, 02' DR-Z400E and a few other 'bits and pieces'
      Are you on the GSR Google Earth Map yet? http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=170533

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        #4
        +1 on the syringe method.

        Did you get the master cylinder new? Did you clean and/or rebuild it?

        My bet is air in the caliper wells...happened to me on my Rebel. I fixed it right up with the syringe method
        '83 GS650G
        '83 GS550es (didn't like the colours in the 80's, but they've grown on me)

        Comment


          #5
          Seen this before so I am going to ask it first. Are the bleeder screws at the TOP of the calipers? More than once I have seen calipers re-mounted on the wrong side and that puts the bleeder down low, allowing you to get good fluid but air trapped above.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by djg42 View Post
            Hello, I just put double disc front brakes on my gs450, I can't seem to get any pressure at all, I can't see any leaks and umm getting fluid from both bleed screws, I must have spent two hours and still nothing. Any ideas?
            Thanks!
            Dennis
            Only 2 hours? You're about a third of the way there.

            Watch for real tiny bubbles in the fluid coming from the bleeders. If you see those, it ain't fully bled out yet.

            Posted elsewhere is a helpful hint: Pull the brake lever in and tie it up overnight. That can sometimes help work the air out too.

            Does the brake line from the master cylinder exit DOWN? It's very easy to end up with a slight rise, which will trap air.

            New brake lines?

            Seen this before so I am going to ask it first. Are the bleeder screws at the TOP of the calipers? More than once I have seen calipers re-mounted on the wrong side and that puts the bleeder down low, allowing you to get good fluid but air trapped above.
            +1 on that!

            Comment


              #7
              I have one of these guys.

              You can find them online for cheap and it gets the brake bleading job done really quick... I change my brake fluid twice a year (allot of rain riding) on all my bikes and this little guys helps me get the job done in 15 minutes or so, by myself!

              Here a link to one. http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CH8Q8wIwAA
              Jedz Moto
              1980 Suzuki GS1000G
              1988 Honda GL1500-6
              2018 Triumph Bonneville T120-
              2020 Honda Monkey Z125
              2001 Honda Insight - 65MPG
              Originally posted by Hayabuser
              Cool is defined differently by different people... I'm sure the new rider down the block thinks his Ninja 250 is cool and why shouldn't he? Bikes are just cool.

              Comment


                #8
                Just got one at Harbor Freight myself,look forward to using it.

                1978 GS1000C
                1979 GS1000E
                1980 GS1000E
                2004 Roadstar

                Comment


                  #9
                  I use an air check valve that is used for fish tanks. Basically put line on bleeder valve then air check valve on line. This causes fluid and or air to be able to exit the system without allowing anything back in.. This works great for me.. I got the air check valve at the pet store for 3.00 bucks..

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Thanks for all the great replys! I had put the calipers on upside down , I assumed they would only go on one way, I did the Kawasaki brake upgrade and put the ninja calipers on.
                    Anyways, thanks for all the brake bleeding tips, Im definitely going to try them out once I get the calipers correctly mounted. I have a syringe i was going to attach to the bleed screw and pull fluid that way, do I have to do anything with the brake lever?

                    I might go for one of those vacuum bleeders, $30 is not alot to spend to make the job easier.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by djg42 View Post
                      Thanks for all the great replys! I had put the calipers on upside down ,
                      YES!
                      I'm going to chalk up another one to "It's the simple things that bite you." Trust me you are not the first... or the last, thats why I suggested it. It should go much smoother now. Congrats!

                      Originally posted by mpencegs
                      I use an air check valve that is used for fish tanks. Basically put line on bleeder valve then air check valve on line. This causes fluid and or air to be able to exit the system without allowing anything back in.. This works great for me..
                      BRILLIANT! I have thought about buying a set of the "speed bleeders" for that, but I already have two of those air check valves not being used from my aquariums... THANKS!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Yes, you have to tie the brake lever back or have someone hold it for you. Make sure you don't let the volume drop so low you start sucking air. Keep replenishing the master cylinder as you draw the fluid and air out with the syringe. Keep going until no bubbles come out with the brake fluid.

                        Be careful, as you draw the fluid you are going to create pressure in the syringe, and the fluid will want to spit out of the tubing when you pull it off the bleeder. If you have a small syringe (~20cc), it is going to take a number of draws to get the air out. Wipe up anything you spill right away with some soapy water.

                        You might also want to use a dab of grease around the bleeder nipple to seal it against air and to ease putting the tubing on and off.

                        -EDIT- I find pumping the brakes a few times prior to opening the bleeder helps to remove the last little bit of air and get that rock solid feeling back.
                        '83 GS650G
                        '83 GS550es (didn't like the colours in the 80's, but they've grown on me)

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by BigD_83 View Post
                          Yes, you have to tie the brake lever back or have someone hold it for you.

                          ...
                          This should not be necessary when using suction to pull fluid in from the reservoir. Some will tie the lever and leave it overnight to allow a bobble trapped in the master to escape into the reservoir.

                          I like the idea of greasing the bleeder threads. Some people suggest wrapping them in Teflon plumber's tape to keep air from from leaking through.

                          Keep the body of the syringe lower than the end of the hose, and you shouldn't have more than a few drops of fluid when you take the hose off the bleeder.
                          Dogma
                          --
                          O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you! - David

                          Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense. - Carl Sagan

                          --
                          '80 GS850 GLT
                          '80 GS1000 GT
                          '01 ZRX1200R

                          How to get a "What's New" feed without the Vortex, and without permanently quitting the Vortex

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Dogma,

                            To be honest, I never tried doing it without tying the lever back. In my mind I was thinking that if you were puling fluid out along with air, you would just want to replenish it at the same time.

                            Can you see any harm in doing it either way?
                            '83 GS650G
                            '83 GS550es (didn't like the colours in the 80's, but they've grown on me)

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by BigD_83 View Post
                              Dogma,

                              To be honest, I never tried doing it without tying the lever back. In my mind I was thinking that if you were puling fluid out along with air, you would just want to replenish it at the same time.

                              Can you see any harm in doing it either way?
                              No, it shouldn't matter, technically speaking. I usually finish with a couple cycles of the old pump it up, bleed, pump, bleed if I'm not happy with the results of the vacuum. So, having the handle tied already would interfere with my usual process.
                              Dogma
                              --
                              O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you! - David

                              Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense. - Carl Sagan

                              --
                              '80 GS850 GLT
                              '80 GS1000 GT
                              '01 ZRX1200R

                              How to get a "What's New" feed without the Vortex, and without permanently quitting the Vortex

                              Comment

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