at a loss

[TiM M]

So in the on goin war with my front brake system i'm sort of stuck. I couldn't get the master cylinder to really squirt out any fluid. so i rebuilt it and it's still not working. the bore looks fine. i've cleaned it extensivly. blew it out with compresse air. when i put my finger on it i feel good suction. it just won't feed any damn fluid to my brakes. i'm getting very frustrated. if anyone can help me on this they'll be doin me and my ppor tools a favor so they don't get thrown across the garage. Feel free to send me a message on AOL IM my screen name is deadog37 . it's now been the majority of the summer that i havent been able to ride and it's killing me.

TiM

[Chromequeen]

Tim "You Can DO this!"
Been where you're at before, and it's such a horrible feeling. But sit tight, and someone will be along who knows what the issues with that master cylinder could be. I'll just be your cheerleader and keep telling you that soon you'll be R I D I N G!!!

My 700 sat for a couple weeks after I slammed the garage door shut and then had the patience and "Git R Done" attitude to go back at it and fix her. PM me if you get discouraged and I'll tell ya again...... "YOU CAN DO THIS!"

[moparman]

Tim "You Can DO this!"
Been where you're at before, and it's such a horrible feeling. But sit tight, and someone will be along who knows what the issues with that master cylinder could be. I'll just be your cheerleader and keep telling you that soon you'll be R I D I N G!!!

My 700 sat for a couple weeks after I slammed the garage door shut and then had the patience and "Git R Done" attitude to go back at it and fix her. PM me if you get discouraged and I'll tell ya again...... "YOU CAN DO THIS!"

Joy is an excellent cheerleader. I know this from experience.

I had some trouble with mine before the big RL,MT trip and I found that since the MC pumps a small volume and the hose and caliper is a very large volume, comparatively, it takes some patience and work to bleed the air out of the system. It seems like it is not working though it really is, just in very small increments. I had an old car with the same kind of system. Small MC and long lines and big wheel cylinders. Very frustrating. Since I was doing it alone it was a bit more of a challenge.
Make sure the bleeder screw is loosened and easy to turn with a wrench and then tighten it back just barely snug. Do the same with the MC banjo fitting. Use some plastic or tarp and plenty of towels to cover the bike so you aren't possibly dribbling/squirting brake fluid onto ANY painted surface. Squeeze the brake lever and, with it held tight, loosen the banjo fitting a bit to release air bubbles and retighten, then release the lever. Manipulate the brake hose and tap on it so that any air will rise to the top. Do this all a few times to make sure all the air is gone. Then do the the same with the caliper bleeder screw. Keep a close watch on the fluid level so you aren't pumping air into the system again and make sure you don't release the brake lever until after the screw/fitting is tight again or it sucks air there too.

You may be way more mechanic than I am and already know all this but if so, it may help someone else that reads it later.

Good luck and keep us posted.

PS I also found that starting the bike and revving a little seems to help the air rise to the top of the hose. It's the little vibrations that do it. Once you think you got all the air out, try riding a little on a safe flat road. Work the brake a bit and it should start working. That's the last thing I had to do on mine to get the last bit of air out.

[jono]

This is a most embarrassing acknowledgement. I was working on my 650, pouring in fluid, it wouldnt bleed. I ended up buying a used one( in worse shape) and noticed that the rubber bladder was stuck in the master instead of in the top of mine... I felt like an idiot because I should have known it... So, lesson is, it may be something simple or stupid...

[elr658]

Make sure the relief hole in the MC is clear.

[TiM M]

BACK ON THE ROAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was REALLY stuck there for a while but if you can believe it the answer actually came to me in a really vivid dream. I realized i was pulling the brake lever all the way back and blocking hole int he master cylinder. i eased it up and those calipers started to come out. I took it out tonight and all the problems were gone. I'm about to go for a late night ride. now that i've done EVERYHTHING you can possibly do with the braks on a GPZ 550 i'm the guy to come to for advice. HA HA HA. Thanks for the support everyone.

TiM