Bike-a-holics quick and easy brake bleeding guide

[Spok]

How to Bleed Motorcycle Brakes

Tip: Any brake bleeding kit will do just fine but make sure you have a small bucket to put the tiny brake bleeder fluid container in as it is very likely to overflow.

It is actually not very hard to bleed (renew) your own motorcycle brake fluid. This should be done at least every 2 years. Or when the brake fluid turns from clear to a brown to black colour (darker it is, the worse it is).

Brake fluid will eat away at plastic and paint, be sure to cover any paint or plastic that may get splashed with brake fluid. Wipe any spilled fluid with the rag and lots of water.

Step 1: Make sure you have the tools to bleed your brake fluid. The tools you require will vary, but generally this is what you will need:

A. Wrench/Spanner (average 10mm)
B. Brake bleeding kit (rubber fitting, clear hose, small container)
C. Brake fluid overflow container (to put the brake bleeding kit small container in)
D. Rags
E. Brake Fluid (check what type of brake fluid you need for your bike. e.g. DOT 3). Make sure to buy enough brake fluid in the DOT type you require. (500ml should be more than enough).

Step 2: Attach the brake bleeding kit to the brake fluid nipple located on the brake caliper.

Step 3: Loosen the nipple so the fluid is free to flow down the brake bleeding kit tube and into the small container

Step 4: Remove the master cylinder cap (top) so you can monitor and refill more brake fluid into the master cylinder as you bleed the brakes.

Step 5. Pump the brake lever so the old/new brake fluid is forced through the tube into the brake bleeding kit fluid container

Step 6: Keep the volume of the master cylinder constant (near full) as to not have it empty. Keep pumping on the brake lever until the fluid coming out is clear (rather than the old brown/black colour).

Step 7: Once all the tiny air bubbles are gone hold pressure on the brake level and re-tighten the brake fluid nipple to close it off.

Step 8: Replace the master cylinder top cover.

Step 9: Remove the brake bleeding kit from the cliper and use the rag with water to clean up any spillage.

[ervins]

Thanks Spok this is helpful. I am changing my fluids on my bike right now and this was the next one.

[trikebubble]

I just purchased Speed Bleeders for my bike. Once my "missing" Wye splitter arrives I'll post my opinion on how well they work.

http://www.speedbleeder.com/

[ervins]

This is a good idea to post reviews on stuff that is bought from bikes to parts.

[zedx11]

I now know a lot of Polaris atv owners that need this.

one I did today looked like jelly.

[dirtwarrior]

If you dont want to buy a bleeding kit a large syringe an plastic tubing will work.

[1st Kow]

Originally Posted by trikebubble

I just purchased Speed Bleeders for my bike. Once my "missing" Wye splitter arrives I'll post my opinion on how well they work.

http://www.speedbleeder.com/

I put speed bleeders on all my vehicles, it just makes it go so much faster. And I believe that because you don't have to pause at the bottom of each stroke, you virtually eliminate the rising bubble effect which can add considerable time and/or require a power bleeding. Example: I've got 7 bleeders in the brake system on my `86 Ninja. I did a total flush, front & rear, start to finish, in 20 minutes.