| Author | Message | ||
     Shoredairy |
recently performed superbike bar swap on my 04 xb12R. it required a new brake line. i've completled the replacement and bled the brakes but i'm getting a lever that still feels spongy and a jumpy feel accompanied by a clattering noise when the lever is pulled past halfway. whats going on here? | ||
| Blake |
Try reverse bleeding with the syringe or vacuum pump method. Did you remove the caliper? | ||
| Shoredairy |
the caliper was not removed. i'm not really set up with a vacuum pump or syringe. i'll try to continue to bleed again. | ||
| Blake |
What type of brake fluid are you using? Try tapping on the caliper to dislodge any stubborn air bubbles before and during your bleeding exercise. Reverse bleeding (injecting fluid from caliper via syringe/pump) is the way to go from my experience though. I use the EZ Bleeder, a syringe with fittings for all sizes of bleeder nipples. Bought it from a local independent motorcycle repair/serivce shop. Some have found that removing the caliper and hanging it upside down has helped facilitate getting air out of the system. I've see one other suggestion, not sure how effective it is... work the front brake then hold it in tightly and use a zip-tie or velcro strap to secure it in place, still actuated, then let it set like that overnight. I've never tried it and it sounds dubious, but who knows. Heck, here's the ultimate treatise in brake bleeding from the doctor himself. How to bleed Motorcycle Brakes by the great Dane, Doctor Henrik. | ||
| Shoredairy |
thanks for the reply Blake(and the pic advice under ergonomics--i got em finally thanks to you!) i'm using DOT 4 from a giant container i got at the auto parts store. that zip tie method is definetly new to me. this may sound dumb but with 2 kids under 20 months old and a really-full time job, i've been using any minute to ride and just being judicious with both brakes. i promise to try some more bleeding tomorrow and post. thanks. | ||
| Blake |
I hope the Doctor's (Henrik's) excellent brake bleeding treatise helps solve the problem. | ||
| Dingosm8 |
DId it? No one ever comes back and says yes or no.. I guess we'll assume it did or got a LOT worse. |
