A neat way to bleed brakes

I rebuilt my calipers and so had a brake system completely full of air. I was not looking forward to bleeding it the usual way they tell you to do (open nipple, squeeze brake, close nipple, release brake - repeat forever).

I decided to get a 4 foot length of clear tubing, connected that to the nipple, ran the other end up to the master cylinder. Then I just opened the nipple (and left it open) and commenced pumping the brakes, while keeping the master cylinder filled enough.

It worked great! I'd just keep pumping the fluid around the circuit, and after a while fewer and fewer bubbles would appear at the nipple. When there were basically none, I stopped on that side and repeated on the other side.

The first day it was pretty spongy because some bubbles were obviously hiding in spots, so I let them settle over night, and did it again the next day, where I got some more bubbles out. Now it is hard enough to ride. I will ride for a while and then do it one more time just to be sure.

The only funny business is disconnecting the tube when it is still full of fluid. I drained as much as I could out of the hose into the master cyl, then I took that end down next to the nipple. Naturally the fluid wanted to drop to the bottom of the loop laying on the floor, so when I slowly disconnected the nipple (having closed it first of course), air bubbles came in and no fluid came out as it sank to the bottom. Then I drained the extra in the hose into the master cyl, at least as much as it needed.

Oh, one other thing if you try this. Get a small hose clamp for the nipples. They are so small it is easy to pull the hose off and make a mess.

You have to have a way to keep the hose end in the master cyl. I have my fairings off so I just stuck the hose between the rear view mirrors and the instrument plastic. The curve of the hose kept it in the reservoir. You don't want this stuff dripping on your paint! Probably wouldn't hurt to get a plastic cover to catch any drips.

I understand there are other commercial solutions to pumping the lines full, but it doesn't get much cheaper than 4 feet of hose and a small clamp. Get clear tubing so you can watch the bubbles.

Maybe somebody else has already figured this out. Good for you! Strange that the shop manual does not mention doing it this way; it is so easy compared to the other way.

 

Good ingenuity sir. This trick has been done before, however, it usually involves the tube going into a container of brake fluid (preferably a clear one) set on the ground below the level of the caliper so as to use the forces of gravity to your advantage rather than trying to pump upwards. + 1 for clear hose, and it's not in the service manual cause Snap-On dosen't sell clear hose and make a big profit on it...........

 

+1 That's exactly how I do mine, and that clear hose is dirt cheap at home depot.

 

there is another way also get a one foot piece of tubing and put it on the bleed nipple
and put the other end into a glass jar with brake fluid filling about 1/4 of the bottom of the jar with the hose down in the fluid.

 

That sounds good, when I did mine I had to remove the line at the master and put my finger over it to get it to pump, lots of rags.

 

Yes I have found that to be true also, about bleeding the master cylinder first then the whole system.
The master cylinder has to get filled up first.

 

here is an addon idea that is cost effective and takes all of the pain out of the process
Speed Bleeder Bleeding Brakes Bleeding Motorcycle Brakes Automotive Bleeder Screw Brake Bleeder