Brake bleeding

  • davew
  • davew's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 2
  • Thanks: 0

Brake bleeding

02 Nov 2006 12:34
#89360
When my front brake light switch stopped working, I tried removing it and cleaning with compressed air. That didn't seem to fix it so I'm just going to replace the switch. After reinstalling the old one, and refilling the brake fluid, purging all the air, etc. My brakes are still low and spongy. Any tips for brake bleeding on a 79 kz650b3? Since the switch mounts horizontally how does brake fluid get all the air out of the switch body?

Thanks, Dave

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • mariozappa
  • mariozappa's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 901
  • Thanks: 8

Re: Brake bleeding

02 Nov 2006 13:23
#89373
1977 KZ650C1
and the KZ650/KZ750 Conversion ;)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • RomSpaceKnight
  • RomSpaceKnight's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 452
  • Thanks: 2

Re: Brake bleeding

02 Nov 2006 19:34
#89440
Time is all you need, probably. I never have much luck bleeding brakes or clutches. It takes for bloody ever and then boom it's done and all is better.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • JMKZHI
  • JMKZHI's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 2429
  • Thanks: 48

Re: .

03 Nov 2006 06:01 - 03 Dec 2008 12:07
#89495
del
Last edit: 03 Dec 2008 12:07 by JMKZHI.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • nads.com
  • nads.com's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 1000
  • Thanks: 20

Re: Brake bleeding

06 Nov 2006 21:03
#90168
Too speed up bleeding I leave the valve open while holding the handle to the handle bar for about 10sec each time I pump the handle. This allows the fluid to run down to the end of the bleeder and lets the air out. Much faster.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • scumbag
  • scumbag's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Lewd, Screwed, and Tattooed
  • Posts: 247
  • Thanks: 5

Re: Brake bleeding

06 Nov 2006 22:27
#90177
I willl second nads on this one...
sept.1976 kz650
1980 kz650

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • davew
  • davew's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 2
  • Thanks: 0

Re: Brake bleeding

07 Nov 2006 14:40
#90293
Thanks everyone for your tips. I've tried them all and still can't seem to get the last of the sponginess out. The bottom up technique sounded really good but I couldn't get the fluid to run in from the bottom even when I had the fluid in the tube way,way above the reservoir. Something was keeping it from flowing backwards to the reservoir. I'm going to try a marathon bleeding session to see if there's some air stuck in there that will ultimately come out( does anyone know if shaking or tapping help loosen stuck air pockets?)
Dave

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • KZQ
  • KZQ's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Administrator
  • Walking Behind the Corn May Not Be All That!
  • Posts: 4874
  • Thanks: 1479

Re: Brake bleeding

07 Nov 2006 17:59
#90351
I found that just pumping the lever a tiny bit sometimes loosens an air bubble out of the chamber below the master cylinder resovire. I can see tiny bubbles escaping while I'm fiddling with it. Truly, I'm a risk taker! My method to to get it as good as I can make and RIDE. You'll be suprised it'll sort itself out.
Keep trying
KZCSI
www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • wireman
  • wireman's Avatar
  • Visitor

Re: Brake bleeding

07 Nov 2006 18:06
#90352
pump it up really good and wrap a big rubber band to hold lever and let it sit overnight sometimes that will force it oneway or the other;) goodluck,happy wrenching!

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • steell
  • steell's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 6850
  • Thanks: 208

Re: Brake bleeding

07 Nov 2006 19:14
#90367
davew wrote:
Thanks everyone for your tips. I've tried them all and still can't seem to get the last of the sponginess out. The bottom up technique sounded really good but I couldn't get the fluid to run in from the bottom even when I had the fluid in the tube way,way above the reservoir. Something was keeping it from flowing backwards to the reservoir. I'm going to try a marathon bleeding session to see if there's some air stuck in there that will ultimately come out( does anyone know if shaking or tapping help loosen stuck air pockets?)
Dave

Take all the fluid out of the master cylinder and check that the little hole at the bottom is not plugged. There are two holes in the bottom, but one is really small.
KD9JUR

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Powered by Kunena Forum