Front brake bleeding

chris2711 · 03-04-2008, 08:23 AM

Can someone please provide me with a detailed walkthrough of how to bleed my front brake? Tools and supplies needed.

I had to loosen the banjo fitting to fit Helibars and now have a air bubble in the line.

Thanks

WhiteKnight · 03-04-2008, 10:21 AM

Hey Chris,

Bleeding the brakes is pretty easy, but if you have linked brakes you may need to do both front and rear. I would suggest doing so just to cover the bases.

You will need a wrench to loosen and tighten the bleed screw on the calipers and fresh DOT 4 (or whichever is recommended) brake fluid. If possible, getting a mighty vac will make this job easier and reduce manpower from 2 people to 1 person.

Get a cup, can, container of some sort to drain fluid into and a clear hose to connect to the bleed screw. One end of the hose goes on the bleed screw, the other in the container. Put some fluid in the container, enough to cover the end of the hose to prevent air from being pulled back into the system (Note: if you have a mighty vac, this part is not necessary).

Next, just like a car, (and this is from a two person perspective) have your friend pump the brake lever a few times then hold it. As he/she holds the lever open the bleed screw for a second or two, then close it. Pressure will leave the system pushing fluid/air into the container. Repeat this step a few times to make sure there is no air in the system, Do this for each caliper.

One other item that you should consider is a service manual, as this will also have brake bleeding instructions. After the weather warms up, i will try to do a how to on brake bleeding as most steps are pretty standard regardless of bike make or model, but for systems like linked brakes there may be some steps that are different.

Someone else please chime in if I have left important info out. Thanks.

chris2711 · 03-04-2008, 11:50 AM

Thanks man.

masonv45 · 03-07-2008, 08:18 AM

See my post here: http://vfrworld.com/forums/sixth-gen...-working.html?

About burping the banjo.

XRayHound · 03-07-2008, 08:26 AM

One of my favorite parts about working on bikes is I'm monkey-armed enough to bleed the brakes without a helper. Hooray!

V-FouRce · 03-08-2008, 05:29 AM

This place is a life saver, literally speaking. Had to "burp" my clutch, but didnt know it! I love you guys man!

ChatBox (No new messages since your last visit)
Loading...
Message...
Ask your questions in the forums. The ChatBox is for small talk. Lamps to everyone!

03-04-2008, 08:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
chris2711 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Last Online: 11-19-2008 11:02 AM Location: Odenton, MD My Ride: 2006 Honda VFR View my Photo Gallery Posts: 222 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Front brake bleeding Can someone please provide me with a detailed walkthrough of how to bleed my front brake? Tools and supplies needed. I had to loosen the banjo fitting to fit Helibars and now have a air bubble in the line. Thanks

03-04-2008, 10:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
WhiteKnight Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Last Online: 11-16-2008 12:16 PM Location: South Central Ky - Find Me! View my Photo Gallery Posts: 2,321 Thanks: 5 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts	Hey Chris, Bleeding the brakes is pretty easy, but if you have linked brakes you may need to do both front and rear. I would suggest doing so just to cover the bases. You will need a wrench to loosen and tighten the bleed screw on the calipers and fresh DOT 4 (or whichever is recommended) brake fluid. If possible, getting a mighty vac will make this job easier and reduce manpower from 2 people to 1 person. Get a cup, can, container of some sort to drain fluid into and a clear hose to connect to the bleed screw. One end of the hose goes on the bleed screw, the other in the container. Put some fluid in the container, enough to cover the end of the hose to prevent air from being pulled back into the system (Note: if you have a mighty vac, this part is not necessary). Next, just like a car, (and this is from a two person perspective) have your friend pump the brake lever a few times then hold it. As he/she holds the lever open the bleed screw for a second or two, then close it. Pressure will leave the system pushing fluid/air into the container. Repeat this step a few times to make sure there is no air in the system, Do this for each caliper. One other item that you should consider is a service manual, as this will also have brake bleeding instructions. After the weather warms up, i will try to do a how to on brake bleeding as most steps are pretty standard regardless of bike make or model, but for systems like linked brakes there may be some steps that are different. Someone else please chime in if I have left important info out. Thanks. __________________ http://www.nrwhiteknight.net

03-07-2008, 08:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
masonv45 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Last Online: 11-13-2008 02:00 PM My Ride: 1985 VF700F Posts: 671 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts	See my post here: http://vfrworld.com/forums/sixth-gen...-working.html? About burping the banjo. __________________ 1985 VF700F 1983 V45 Magna Gone but not Forgotten Memphis, TN

03-07-2008, 08:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
XRayHound Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Last Online: Yesterday 08:58 PM Location: NC - Find Me! My Ride: 1986 Honda VFR700F2 2006 Yamaha FZ-1 1981 Yamaha XS400 Posts: 136 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	One of my favorite parts about working on bikes is I'm monkey-armed enough to bleed the brakes without a helper. Hooray! __________________ X-Ray Hound "I CAN SEE THROUGH GLASS!"

03-04-2008, 11:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
chris2711 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Last Online: 11-19-2008 11:02 AM Location: Odenton, MD My Ride: 2006 Honda VFR View my Photo Gallery Posts: 222 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks man.

03-08-2008, 05:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
V-FouRce Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Last Online: 05-07-2008 06:24 PM Location: Boyertown, Pa. My Ride: '86 VFR 700 F2 View my Photo Gallery Posts: 248 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	This place is a life saver, literally speaking. Had to "burp" my clutch, but didnt know it! I love you guys man! __________________ "Keep The Shiny Side up & The Rubber Side Down"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
6th. Gen front brake locking up	Tori	Mechanics Garage	48	05-15-2008 07:13 PM
Help! Front brake not working.	chris2711	Sixth Generation 2002-2009	7	03-07-2008 07:38 AM
Brake bleeding	Mark Lindholm	VF/VFR Mailing List	1	01-05-2008 02:32 PM
front brake vibration help	tveditorguy	Mechanics Garage	2	05-05-2006 01:48 PM
Brake Dancing	michael	Riding Advice	6	01-13-2006 02:18 PM