A little lost, caliper help

[Damon]

I finally got my calipers overhauled for the zxr 750. I have tried installing them today but they will not bleed. It must be me (im hoping) as i have never tried bleeding brakes from an empty system before. I have always just replaced the fluid by topping up the old fluid with new.

Is there anything i should be doing differently compaired to just chainging the fluid over without air in the system?

sorry for the stupid questions.

BCF to the resuce

[Mudskipper]

There are a few threads with ideas for this, I found the one that worked for my empty system was the back-bleed with a syringe one.

Syringe full of fluid, carefully force it through each (opened) nipple up the system until it bubbles through at the M/C end.

Then bleed as normal to get the few bubbles out.
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CBR125|||GSXR400|||CBR400|||CBR400|||CB250RS|||GSXR750|||CB250RS
"You're clumsy, you eat too much and you behave like a 12 year old boy. But you know what? Every once in a while, you find a thumb."

[stinkwheel]

Try bleeding it at the top banjo bolt on the brake line (same way as you do at the nipples, pressure on then quickly loosen and tighten the bolt as you pull it in.). They sometimes get air locked at the master cylinder. Obviously you'll need a rag wrapped round it to stop brake fluid going everywhere.

I also find if you try and bleed it on every pull of the lever, you don't get far. I only crack the nipple every third pump.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Bikeless]

I bought a one way valve from halfords(for a windscreen washer)then cut the bleed pipe and fitted it in the middle,then you can bleed the brakes without constantly having to open and shut the bleed nipple.You can just keep topping up the reservoir and pump.Makes things easier when you are doing it on your own.

[BanditsHigh]

All of the above is good advice (especially banjo bolt at reservoir)

With regards bleeding without fannying about with the bleed nipple ... as above with the one way valve or get a length of silicon tubing (clear if possible, let's you see bubbles), block one end and put a small slit (lengthways) in it just up from the blocked end.

The tube will expand and open up the slit when fluid pressure is applied, i.e you pulling the lever but will close again when you release the lever.

You can also use a silicon tube to suck fluid down the brake lines (via the bleed nipple) to get the initail bleeding done ... needless to say you need to keep an eye out for fluid in the tube ... does not taste very nice and is bad for your health.

Good luck

[Damon]

wikid thanks guys,

Will try again tomorrow.

[geordiecbrblo...]

I couldn't get my CBR600 calipers to bleed - no pressure at all, until I took it off and literally held the caliper with the nipple upmost and that got rid of the air lock.

[Damon]

Hi all,

Spent the day out in the snow covered from head to toe in brake fluid. However, i managed to bleed all three brake calipers and now have competely new brakes for the zxr. I also changed the fluid in the hydrolic clutch to get rid of the spongy feel.

I've rebuilt the bike now and replaced the snapped alternator belt. Fingers crossed this will fix my charging problem and I will have a bike again. I just have small things like chain/sprockets, oil, air filter, finish repairing fairings etc to do now and I'm all done

Thanks for everyone's help

The moral of this story. Do NOT let anyone ride your bike.