How To Bleed Motorcycle Brakes at RevZilla.com
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2025
- How To Bleed Motorcycle Brakes
www.revzilla.co...
When it comes to your bike, or any form of locomotion for that matter, it should come as no surprise that your brakes are pretty high up there on the list of important pieces of the equation. Whether you are looking to follow up on some newly added brake parts, running through some regular maintenance, or seeing an issue with the brake fluid itself, the ability to properly bleed your brakes is an important, and relatively easy process to learn. Follow along as Lemmy, the RevZilla mystro of mechanical majesty himself, throws some knowledge your way and provides some good ol’ fashioned ZLA garage learnin’ in the art of bleeding motorcycle brakes.
What diameter hose are you using for this?
3/16" should be about right. -DrewZilla
PsychedelicMike2006 you FOOL
PsychedelicMike2006 if you are still alive please DO NOT work on a bike if you own one!!!!
bostonsirish1 why? Seems like a decent question to me.
bostonsirish1 Go fuck yourself you little goof. You think everyone is born a J man mechanic or does your little pee brain not understand every mechanic has to start somewhere?
Absolutely fantastic explanation of how to make something that can appear a bit daunting actually very simple. Brilliant. The 'dislikes' are obviously bell-ends....
10 videos to get to this one....TEN!!! this one taught me how to do it without a stupid rubber hose. squeeze 8 times, and hold...open the valve, let it fart until fluid only, wait 3 seconds. close. release. repeat until there are no more farts. jesus. that was easy. great job, revzilla, and thanks, youve saved me 85 dollar shop fee and got me riding. great company.
I'm betting if you did it that way you have air still in your lines.
After viewing many dangerously incorrect and incomplete videos on changing break fluid, this one is excellent and very nicely done..should be the first video that comes up when searching...nice job!
Out of all the brake bleeding vids I’ve seen so far I’d say this one is more detailed & best for any newbies looking to bleed.
The Best Explanation on RUclips. Rock on Revzilla
I watched several videos breeding brakes on the youtube. This is by far the best one. Lemmy does a great job explaining!
Just bled my front brake for first time after watching your excellent video. Worked great and brake is much firmer. And I felt competent to do it after watching. Thank you!!!!
I used to have a weird feel on my front brakes. After bleeding them, the feel is back to normal. Thanks revzilla!
These videos are fantastic. Other videos make it look really finicky and daunting. You make it look so easy. I was almost going to take it to the mechanic to do, but now I'll definitely give it a go. Thank you!
It's Lemmy!!! The coolest dude on RevZ xD
***** :D
I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time.
Others might draw the line with that one, but I'll cut you a _brake_, and give you a _pad_ on the back! -DrewZilla
+RevZilla This made my life. Subscribed. Also appreciate the very detailed steps to maintain a motorcycle!
Nice one. Also subscribed.
huntsville90 👍👍👍haha
Gimme a brake!
This video is so easy and clear, some videos on RUclips shows this procedure extremely complicated.
I always wanted to do this and I didn't know how. Now I'm an expert. Thank you Lemy
Lemmy ROCKS! Very articulate and knowledgable. Thank you Revzilla for being so helpful and posting these videos!
Took my bike on a warm day to work. My brake pedal had no pressure. parked the bike and rode to work. When I got home searched and found yours and few other videos. Blead the old fluid that was orange in color and topped up with new clear DOT3 I had for my car. Will try it for a week and see how it is. if I am not satisfied. I will change it to DOT4. It took 30 min for me. May be I will do better on time going forward.
Thanks
Andrew
As always, the go too guy for bike diy, Clear and easy instruction, Much appreciated Lemy. Thank you.
My man! You just saved hundreds of dollars by your video. Thank you so much for this. Your instructions were simple, easy, and to the point for me to understand. Muchas gracias.
Love your videos... Clear images...you explain not just what you are doing..but why! Very detailed and precise... all you tubers should be just like you!
EXCELLENT EXPLANATION! I've watched several of these brake bleeding videos on You Tube, but this one is the best by far.
Thank you for posting this. I think this may be the only brake bleeding vid that isn't using a specialized product. Nice job. We are going riding.
These are amazingly good videos even for a guy like me who worked on his own vehicles all my li. Little tips, like lubing the back of the brake pad, are really useful and stuff I never thought of. Thanks Guys!
Best video I’ve found so far gonna do it myself. I went to a shop and they wanted $220 just to bleed the front brakes.
I've spent the last two days trying to bleed my front brake on a dirt bike, driving me NUTS. This video was the absolute solution, awesome and thanks!
Seriously, can Lemmy just do How-to's for every product, vehicle, construction, mechanical, electrical etc etc? Like, if I needed to know how to install a furnace, can you do a How-to for it Lemmy haha? The way you explain everything is just plain remarkable! I'm looking at buying my very first motorcycle and I am just going through your how-to's for maintenance etc and they're great! Most work is very similar to working on cars/trucks; which is what I currently work on.
I love your maintenance videos. you cover everything with much detail. the step by step instructions help alot. especially for someone learning to do these jobs for the first time.
thanks alot. :)
One of the best explanation videos on youtube.
Thanks RevZilla, Sure beats having to drag out the Mighty Vac. Sure is a great tool to have when you need it. Thanks for taking your time as always.
I subscribed after 15 seconds into the video. Very good stuff and well explained!
Excellent how-to. Lemmy is the man!
Great video...perfect for the mechanically inept like myself! You have given my the confidence to take a stab at doing it on my bike. Thanks.
Thanks!!!, did my back brake for the first time too, was not sure how to do it but you got me on the right track!!! I have back brakes again!!!! feels real good!!! ... THANKS!!!!... cheers! ..
Lemmy is my hero.
Thanks for the leaving the cap on loose tip. I'm new to this and constantly getting fluid geysers when I pump the handle. My tank paint and I thank you!
This video compelled me to subscribe to your channel. It was a lot more informative and demonstrative then another relative video that I watched from an undisclosed individual/company.
Thanks, Beard God. 😏
Super job Lemmy. very straight forward and to the point. You guys are the best.
Lemmy, thanks for the comprehensive video. Very helpful.
How good is this video? It's so well explained and the host is so good that I want to subscribe. And I don't even ride a motorcycle!!
I was searching for help for my mountain bike brakes and this vid gave me some good starting points. Thanks !
Thanks! For MTB maintenance, check out Park Tool's channel. -DrewZilla
Great timing - just changed front brake line and got your video on how to bleed line same day - thanks
You're the best man, you did a good job explaining. I should have no problem doing this myself after watching your vid.
perfect content explained perfectly as always. you guys are from different world. Love you Lemmy.
This helped so much thanks Lemmy just bled my front and rear on my drz400sm
Thanks Lemmy, good tutorial. Will do my front brake tomorrow.
This is a really clear, helpful video. And Lemmy, your presentation skills are great.
dang how come this channel does not have soo many views they have pretty good videos.
That had to be the BEST directions/editorial video-EVER ON RUclips !!!Awesome job, brother!!! doing my 2005 fatboy, tomorrow!! The only problem I have, is I need 2 people, I have 18" ape hangers...and I'm in a fight with my old man!!! Great speaker you are brother-should be a teachers tech for ALL HD dealers!!! peace!
Fantastic video, Lemmy! This makes it clear how I need to approach a brake bleed on my 2013 Triumph Daytona 675R. My brakes feel terrible! Only trouble is that I don't have the plastic tubing and am not sure what size tubing I need. I guess the size of the nut to release the fluid from the bleed nipple will be a clue. Rock on.
Update: I found that the 2013 Triumph 675R bleed nipple at the caliper has an 8mm nut. The nut at the brake fluid reservoir is 11mm. Is that normal? I was going to get a Motion Pro speed bleeder tool but those generally come in one size. I'm also interested in those quick bleed thingamabobs.
It's normal...for your bike. -DrewZilla
I’m sure you just saved me a lot of $$$ now time to get to work... thanks a lot!!
Or there is another scenario...... We just like your videos and we need to learn some things... 😁😁...... You are awesome.... Your maintenance videos saved many times....
I watched a few videos and this is the only one that assured me I can do this myself. What I do the same thing for my hydraulic clutch?
Yes, bleeding the line for a hydraulic clutch is the same. -DrewZilla
Thanks for another great tutorial! It's very easy to follow.
Awesome tutorial. I've got a lot to learn on maintenance still and I'm on my own, so this helps a TON. Thanks Lemmy and Revzilla.
Great video, with all major points covered. However, I don't quite agree with the rapid pumping to build up pressure. If there's air in the system rapid pumping will have a tendency to 'multiply' the air bubbles, i.e. converting one big bubble into multiple smaller ones, thereby extending the bleeding process. We used to simply pump gently until there's pressure and then open the nipple to release the pressure. On older systems it's not a good idea to force the lever all the way back to the handle as the piston seals could then enter an area with corrosion in the bore, possibly damaging the seals and leading to leaks.
Very good, partner.
Thank you.
Regards from Brazil.
This is great for when your brake hoses are all vertical the entire way between the caliper and the master cylinder. But if they go from caliper to caliper there is a high spot inthe line that can trap air. I would like to see some tricks on how to deal with that.
extremely clear and helpful video, thank you!
@ZLA Lemmy looks like he was born on a Harley, in a Harley shop, WORKING on a Harley! Beer! Should be BEER scale of difficulty! ;) You guys totally rock, thanks for ALL the great info!!! Love your buyer's guides!!!
Thank you Lemy! Will perform this on my motorcycle tomorrow!
I never realised it was that easy! Thanks!
Best video ever love this man he’s such a good vibe !!!
Once again, Lemmy RULES!
in addition, it can help to hold a section of the tube up above the caliber so that the air only goes up instead of back into the system. they make magnetic bottles for the refill process too.
3/4 of this is rambling so if you want to see what you actually clicked on the video for, skip over to about 3/4 of the way through the video.
Hey guys, loving all your videos, keep up the great work!
Thanks alot! Being new to riding, idiot me didn't know you're not supposed to take the caliber apart when changing the brake pads. Now I'm gonna have to bleed the system because of that stupid mistake. This helps though, thanks Lemmy!
I'll throw in a couple tip from past experience. 1.Speed Bleeders are your friend(look them up) especially if you are flushing. 2. Most bikes don't have that bleeder up by the master cylinder. The handlebars and master cylinder should be set at an angle to get rid of the common air pocket that forms right at the banjo bolt connection to the master cylinder. Just take a look where the brake line comes into the MC, it should be obvious. Not doing step 2 can keep you from getting that near perfect front brake feel. Just do it. :)
Great video Lemmy I like to use a vacuum pump when I do it.
The vacuum is really not necessary and just increases complexity of a simple task which increases the chance of introducing air.
Lemmy, very professional fluid presentation ;-)
You mention at some point that if there is a dedicated bleed screw at the handlebar reservoir that one should bleed at that screw last. My BMW G650GS Sertao (ABS) has such a bleed screw at the reservoir and the manual says to bleed it FIRST, not last. Could you elaborate more on that screw and its actual function and why you say it should be bled last? I am puzzled and can't find anything on this type of bleed screw online. Million thanks and cheers from Hanoi. Great video, as always!
Here's what Lemmy has to say: "The screw probably drives out a lot of air initially due to how it's set up. Follow the manual. Ultimately, the order doesn't matter; the absence of air in the system does. Doing it by the book only goes so far, then there are all sorts of shop tricks to get stubborn air out of a brake system." Hope this helps! -DrewZilla
It helps a bit more if that transparent hose was held above the height of the reservoir or even into the reservoir. This way, you can actually see the air bubble run up the tube and out maintaining a column of oil against the caliper cavity.
Thanks for the well presented video Lemmy, very clear and informative! I'm off to bleed my brakes now.
If you simply submerge the drain end of the bleeder tube in fluid, you will not draw air back into the system. You can just pump the brakes continually until all air stops. No need to loosen and retighten the bleeder screw. I use a 12 ounce plastic water bottle with a hole punched through the top. Put about an inch of fluid in the bottle and insert the tube through the hole until it bottoms out into the bottle. Pump away.
what a GREAT, easy, intelligent video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi guys, great vidoes it really helps. Can I let the brake fluid fully drain first before I put in the new fluid? I dont know when the last owner changed it. Thank you :D
another step to add to the end of the process is to use a strap/ziptie to hold the lever in overnight. In the morning the lever feel will be even better as the pressure overnight will force any tiny air bubbles still trapped in the line up into the reservoir.
Can you do a video for the rear brake
Lemmy - YOU ROCK!!!
great job on how brake fluid sucks in moisture not many guys no that but my question is I had to replace the caliper square cut seals on my bike I bleed the shit out of my system they are ok but still seems like if I pump the lever a few times they are better is this normal
its a 6 piston fixed caliper
If you still have "spongy" brakes after rebuilding the calipers, you may need to investigate the master cylinder. -DrewZilla
+RevZilla if I use line locks on the rubber hoses the master cylinder is rock solid
David, then you still have air somewhere in the system.
I feel so helpless. Brake is super sponge like now. Worse than when I started bleeding. I am using a really tight hose. I am only letting go of the brake lever once I close the valve down by the caliper. The brake lever is NOT getting any tighter. It's the same as when I started. 20 min each side. I feel the same sponginess. Brake can still be pulled right to the bar with ease
I love bike maintenance vids. Well done!
Great video.. so easy to understand.. thank you very much
Does the same Hold true for Harley’s with ABS? There is a lot of conflicting information and “needing” to take the bike to the dealer to have them do it. I’m just looking to flush the system to replace the fluid.
Great video. So very clear and well explained.
I watched a different video on bleeding brakes right after line change where no fluid was in lines. Guy in video started by having bleeder open and pumping lever till fluid started to come out then went to having bleeder closed then pumping holding and opening to get rid of air. He stated this helped get fluid into dry system. Is this correct?
What a great video thanks!!!! Subscribed. Two questions: 1) when would you bleed the master cylinder for normal maintenance? Or is it just if you are replacing that part. 2) for modern bikes where there is integrated braking for front and rear is the process using front brake for entire process? Thanks!!!!
I am new to working on bikes, and I have an 81 Goldwing 1100i I have almost fully restored...but the brakes now are all rebuilt and on the bike, but I cannot seem to get pressure after bleeding several times with a pressure bleeder. I got new caliper pistons, the rubbers, and clips. The fronts flow fluid during bleeding, but no pressure. The backs, no fluid comes out (seems there is a block somewhere) no matter how much I try. Any thoughts for a noob who lives next to a Harley shop, but they won't work on his Goldwing?
if the boling temperature is lowr, cant you boil the fluid to get rid of the water?
Is the brake bleeding process still the same for motorcycles with ABS?
Can you mix break fluid if it's the same DOT?
Very clear instructions. Thanks
is this process good to do for locked up front break. I'm a new bike owner and I was practicing my slow speed riding at out of nowhere I couldnt feather my clutch (thank you lemmy for teaching me how) and has made me nose dive so I got it going it sounded high in drive and then the front wheel locked up and make my bike jump. scared the poop out of me. any advice to avoid this and fix this would be greatly appreciated by an army vet
Would you mind providing a bit more context and description of what is happening? Is this a brand new bike or is it an older model year? What year/make/model is it? -DrewZilla
its a 03 kawi vn 750, only 5,500 miles been siting for a while
it was part break line part master cylinder . I fixed the problem with my neighbor he showed me how to fix it. love doing the work myself
Great video. Thank you. Is this ABS? Is ABS process any different?
hewy guys quick question, so i bought a 2017 ninja 300, brand new, after 6k miles decided not to drive it anymore, everything was working fine, i decided to test drive it the other day and front brakes won't break at all. at all. front pads are still 70% not even 50. replaced the brake fluid, bleed the system and it still won't work... is really soft when i press the pedal, back brakes are still working
What about the caliper on the other side. Does that need bleeding too? Talking about a split braided system.
Yes, all lines in the system need to be bled, so you also need to bleed from the caliper on the other side. -DrewZilla
RevZilla Thanks for the answer man. i actually skipped it and the brake is still much improved but, will do the other side now!
Thanks buddy 👍🏻 I’m gonna try it on mine now
Is it necessary to bleed all the ports like the one by the master? Or is it enough just to bleed by caliper?
Yes, it's always good to bleed both the calipers and the master cylinder. Your brakes are kinda important. -DrewZilla
1978 Triumph Bonneville rear brake bleed on bottom mounted caliper. Truly entering the seventh circle of hell. Ever done one?
Hi, wonder if you could help
1__originally the problem was the rear brakes (sunk) local mechanics replaced the brake pump arm but then the problem Occurred again.
2__another local mechanic took a look and he placed o rings for tube connection points of the brake hoses, then
3__when I press the rear brake pedal, there is a feeling of pressure and medium level of stopping power, but only when I drive around and the brakes work normally, meaning when I press the rear brake pedal., stopping power is normal
any way to fix this?
It's hard to diagnose the issue over the internet unfortunately. We really can only recommend consulting a mechanic who really knows your bike manufacturer. -DrewZilla
If you are bleeding the whole system should you star with the back break since is the farthest?
Generally, the rear brake is separate from the front brake, so it doesn't matter. For bikes with linked brakes, you'll need to refer to that bike's specific service manual. -DrewZilla
I have a 2014 zx6r and my service manual says to bleed the top bleed valve (the one one master cylinder) first.