2009 November 02: Brakes (2.50 hours)

Updated: 2009 November 02

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• Carefully tightened all the brake lines. I was especially careful at the aluminum junction blocks so that I wouldn't strip the threads.
• Bled the front master cylinder/right front brake. I used my Motive Products Pressure Bleeder for this (Motive Products part number 0100). I originally purchased this pressure bleeder for use with my Saab. I found the cap on my 2000 Saab 9-5 SE reservoir is the same as my cap on the Brembo front master cylinder. So, I just screwed on the cap and bled away. Very quick, very easy, no leaks. For reference, I pumped the pressure bleeder up to about 12 PSI and then opened each bleeder, one at a time. While the brake fluid was being pushed out, I would tap on the brake lines with a wrench along the entire length of the brake line...this encourages air bubbles to travel along and exit the system.
• Bled the rear master cylinder/left front brake/rear brake. Again, I used my Motive Products Pressure Bleeder. I did not have a screw on cap to fit the rear master cylinder. But, I used a clamp-on cap that I had purchased from Motive Products to bleed the brakes on my 2002 Toyota Tacoma (Motive Products part number 1101). This required that I unbolt the master cylinder from the bike so I could gain ample clearance to fit the adapter. It sealed perfectly and worked well.
• While bleeding the rear master cylinder, I discovered a leak at the rear caliper where the solid brake line fits to the caliper. Careful tightening didn't fix the leak. Looks like I'll be learning how to make bubble/ISO/DIN flares.

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