bleeding brakes

I took off and cleaned the front master cylinder from my 83 650. re-assembled put new fluid in. I cannot get the lever to pump up using the manual method . I think the parts are all good. Why can't I get any lever pressure? Do I need a vacuum bleeder?

If you want to give it a try, here's a homemade vacuum bleeder. Ed

www.kzrider.com/forum/21-tools/318093-bu...brake-bleeder#318093

I had a similar problem. I had luck getting pressure in stages. Start off with no line attached and just use you finger to to cover the hole at the mc. Pump it and you should feel pressure and air escaping. Your finger will not let air in but will let air out. Once fluid is pushing out at that opening then add the first brake line and repeat. Once fluid is coming out of the opening at the end of the line then connect it to the brake and pump again while holding you finger on the bleeder. It takes a while but you have to work the fluid thru. If you do not feel any pressure at the mc hole then you have another issue. Most likely the relief hole in the mc is not able to relief pressure so you will have to adjust your lever to allow the pressure piston to come out past the relief hole, if that makes sense.

Did you bench bleed the MC first? I usually work the lever while watching the relief hole for bubbles. You have to gently move the lever in and out to coax the bubbles out. Unless you do that first bleeding at the caliper is almost a waste of time. You don't have to remove the MC just work the lever while the MC is attached.

In other words, you need to prime the master to get the thing pumping. You can do this with the master installed using a vacuum pump, or even by drawing a vacuum on one of the caliper bleeder nipples with a piece of hose using your mouth. Be careful of the later technique for obvious reasons though.

Thanks jimB I got pressure in stages like you said. Worked great! Now on to the Carbs.

Glad it worked for you. Brakes are easy compared to getting carbs tuned properly

vacuum bleeders work great, and do the job quick.