Bleeding brakes!!

[Diggs]

I can't get a 'hard' out of bleeding my brakes. Whatever I do the lever just keeps coming back to the bars. They were fine beforehand, no obvious leaks, so common sense says to me I have air coming back into the system through the bleed nipple. Anybody else had this problem and been able to solve it? I am not a mechanic so I'm sure it is something I am doing wrong....
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Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[Diggs]

Oh, my brake-bleeding it consist of what it has done so for the last 30 years - a length of battery pipe and an empty Export tin. Perhaps I need to invest in one of these newfangled kits?
____________________
Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[J4mes]

Empty tin?

You want some fluid in there to cover the end of the hose so you're not sucking air back up the line.

[Diggs]

Sorry, not been clear - tin not empty now.... I've bled brakes this way since I started messing with bikes over 30 years ago and never had this problem before.
____________________
Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

My technique:
Ring spanner on bleed screw.
Then pipe on and the other end of pipe submerged.
Pump lever a couple of times and release bleed screw whilst squeezing lever. Nip the bleed screw before the lever touches the bar.

Repeat until done.
Tie lever back with a zip tie and leave overnight.

Process is slightly different if I'm starting with an empty system...I'll tap the brake lines and banjo to release trapped air bubbles and won't nip the bleed screw between lever pumps until the system is nearly full.
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[Wull]

Bleed at the m/c as well,pump the lever a few times then hold whilst you crack open the banjo bolt......you'll hear the air coming out.

Repeat a few times until its clear of air and just fluid is coming out.

Have a rag in place to catch the fluid.
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"Scooters are for men who want to ride motorcycles but prefer to feel the wind on their vaginas"

[bugeye_bob]

I remove pads and use my calliper spreader to stop any piston movement,
a few lads just cable tie the lever to the bars and let gravity draw the fluid thru and lock it off after.

[el_oso]

[kramdra]

If MC is dry, it usually needs to be bled, that means thumb over banjo hole until it squirts. after this, fit banjo and hoses. If time is important to you, reverse fill with a syringe from the callipers. The final bleeding should be done at MC banjo as its the highest point, and any air should already be at the top.

[blackbosh]

I bought one of those one way valves with hose for a tenner no need to bother with nipple till it's done though I would replace the spring clips for some jubilee clips or similar to make sure it's air tight never had my brakes feel so good

[Rogerborg]

[Diggs]

Managed to bleed brakes after half an hour of trying. Spent ages with no fluid coming out, then a dribble, then none again. Eventually I got fluid with bubbles and my hand was aching before the lever went hard...
____________________
Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...