Motorcycle back brake not working? How to bleed a rear brake

'how to' video showing how to bleed your back brake.
Our KXF250 back brake feels spongey so we bleed it and change the fluid.

[@sunshadestv]

I learned a lot. I’m doing my back brakes on a YZ 125 changing the master cylinder and bleeding it. Your video was very very very helpful. You did it perfect.

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you I'm glad it helped

[@thoreau5914]

Appreciate the video. I just put a new back tire on my KLX 300 today and now I don't have hardly any rear brake. Thanks to your video I can check fluid level and bleed the caliper if necessary tomorrow.

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you I hope it helps

[@evildeed90s]

mines the front its awkward i tried getting my wife to help me just caused an argument i told her to go away she was not help at all

[@gregsullivan8065]

Thanks for the video. I’ve seen numerous descriptions of how to bleed the brakes, but this was the clearest and most concise. I’ve bled the rear brake on my 98 Bandit 600, and changed the pads, but still too much travel in the pedal. I’m going to try bleeding again, with this method, and hopefully fix the problem. Cheers!

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you. I hope you get it sorted

[@kimquon5773]

Thanks. It might be good to discuss the differences between glycol based and petroleum and synthetic brake fluids and to make sure you're using the right one for your bike. If you use the wrong kind for your brake system it can be a real problem.

[@gedj5]

Just google it this just a “how to “ vid

[@karltaylor486]

I think the best tip here is to use a ring spanner. Attempted it without one and it was awful. Back at it again tomorrow. Thanks for the video!

[@motorcyclefixer]

No problem Glad you liked Good luck with it 😎😎👍🏼

[@davecullen6]

And I did my Bandit rear brake today in about 20 mins following your guide, sorted.

[@motorcyclefixer]

glad it helped

[@CEEPMDEE]

Your video was informative. Thank you.

[@motorcyclefixer]

I'm glad you liked it 👍

[@nathanm1033]

Thanks for the vid! Just found myself leaving decker canyon in Malibu on a 13% grade going downhill and my rear break went out. Luckily the front brakes and engine braking got me through it. Definitely the heaviest my harley ever felt!

[@motorcyclefixer]

Oh no. I bet that was sketchy! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@saynomoremedia5674]

Really helpful an explains how to and tips not like most videos that just do it without explaining how 👌 thanks mate keep it up

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you very much

[@stevenbrown3707]

Awesome detail, some people don't show it as well as you. Thanks 🙏

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you

[@brian07900]

Another cracking video, I like your commentary, it reenforces the points on what you should be doing. I would defenetly like to see a series on basic motorbike maintenance from you.

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you I'm planning on getting back to it soon.

[@brian07900]

@motorcyclefixer I will look forward to it. Just booked a trip to Bala in April, so I need the bike all fixed up and sorted by then.... no pressure 😀

[@brian07900]

OK, I just finished rear brake, using this method, and it works a treat. Thank you.

[@motorcyclefixer]

excellent. I'm glad it worked

[@chiuehlim3631]

Tqvm. I was very hesitant to try. But You made it look soo easy.. I thought, what the heck, I'll give it a go. Fixed my zrx1200. Saved me a pretty penny. :)

[@motorcyclefixer]

Well done 👍🏼😎 Glad to have helped

[@Eric_Rides]

Just came home from a ride with no back brakes. Thanks for the video. Purging the caliper got all the air out. Wish I knew how it all got in there. Maybe it was a gradual thing over time. Cheers mate.

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you for your comment I'm Glad it helped

[@cats4hir3]

Straight to the point! Love it! Gonna do this this weekend.

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you

[@markgoldsmith4386]

Clear explanation, good tips on what to do and what to avoid. Thanks very much

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you

[@solidpnoy]

Thank you. Very informative. My rear brake is not budging at all. Guess it’s time to follow your instructions.

[@markmacleod482]

Top man yours was the clearest video I could find cheers

[@motorcyclefixer]

Glad it helped

[@MarkChivers-px7kn]

Best bleeding tutorial online 👌🏻

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you Mark 👍🏼😊

[@ScepticalCliff]

Some of the finest bleeding I've ever seen. You could get a job in a brake factory with a bit of training.

[@motorcyclefixer]

If only 😂😂

[@motorcyclefixer]

Imagine that you watched and i couldn't do it though lol

[@ScepticalCliff]

@@motorcyclefixer Heart in my mouth a few times tbh.

[@justinschembri7156]

Love your work mate, I just watched a video on how to do this with Transworld motorbikes and it didn’t work following the steps as they did not go into detail. As soon as I started watching your video mate I’ve got it working straight away. Keep it up.

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you for your kind comments 👍🏼 I'm glad to help

[@user-yg6ds9ku1c]

Simple and easy to follow, just like me! Thanks

[@motorcyclefixer]

😂😂 Thank you

[@pitchwife7573]

wonderful video, i finally understand what it means to bleed a brake. need to do this on my drz!

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you very much Glad you liked it

[@grant3067]

This was really helpful. Thankyou!

[@motorcyclefixer]

I'm glad it helped 👍

[@alucardracula2347]

Idk about others, obviously not dirtbikes but the Harley Davidson style brake systems, air bubbles or Non functioning caliper will cause the brake light to quit working. So be careful about just riding with front only unless you have a newer model with ABS

[@jimralph8066]

This has just happened my rear brake due to non use,must try this tomorrow, hope its works.cheers

[@motorcyclefixer]

No problem I hope it works 👍🏼

[@davidhoward8951]

I must have used a whole can of fluid on my reservoir bleeding this system I don't know somebody put a braided line if I've got a problem in my master cylinder or my brake caliper but I'm getting fluid out finally after a quart of fluid I'm getting are out of it that's real bad I think I'm going to change the brake line

[@stuartnation9248]

Very helpful video on bleeding back breaks .

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you. I'm glad you found it helpful

[@davecullen6]

Thanks for this clear and helpful video, really good

[@motorcyclefixer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Olly241]

Hi, my rear brake is firm now and not spongey at all, but it feels like it has no stopping power unless i push the brake all the way down and lock the wheel up. My rotor and brake pads are fine in diameter according to the manual and seem to be in fine condition. Any idea what could be the issue? Thank you! 🙏

[@motorcyclefixer]

it could be the brake linings. are they too hard or have they been contaminated with oil or grease. Are they wearing equally ? Is the brake carrier seized so its only braking on the piston side? Get the caliper off and inspect it

[@EscobarsAutoWorks_]

Great video pal thanks

[@motorcyclefixer]

I'm glad you liked it 👍

[@carldycer]

Cheers mate. Mine’s hard now because of your video….that’s sounds wrong!!!

[@motorcyclefixer]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 Glad to have helped

[@davidhoward8951]

I can't seem to get the air out of the system my hand is raw from pumping the brake and tightening the bleeder screw I bet you're going to have to buy a new caliper cause a screws about wore out any suggestions out there

[@motorcyclefixer]

Is there any fluid coming out of the bleed screw at all If not it's probably your master cylnder seals have gone

[@jacobdeen4639]

thanks for the good advice! described perfectly!

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you

[@adrianwaits7798]

Great Learn loads from your vids

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you very much

[@michaelsanchez8519]

Question. I just replaced the sprockets and chain on my bike (2020 mt03). I’m certain I put everything back the way it was, seeing how the caliper is basically mounted by the rear axle. My rear brake is kind of the same spongy feeling you described. Is it possible to get air pockets when simply removing the caliper?

[@motorcyclefixer]

Hi No it sounds like something isn't right when you put the wheel back on Are the spacers in the correct sides I've seen it before when the brake disc is bending when you press the rear brake and that will feel spongey

[@GetOutsideWV]

Great vid, thanks!

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you

[@dlosona]

‘97 RM 125 sat for 10mo and noticed no back brakes when I went to ride…Worked for me, I think. If there was still a small back flow of little bubbles in the tube when I closed the bleed screw is that normal air bubbles rising upwards as air bubbles do in a tube or a leak in my bleed screw? Brakes are working like normal from what I can tell, just trying to figure out why it happened in the first place. Bike is kept in garage when stored.

[@motorcyclefixer]

if there is no brake fluid leak around the bleed screw then there won't be a leak Clean around the bleed screw with some brake cleaner then check if there is a leak after riding I would guess there is a leak somewhere though if air has been introduced into the system was there any brake fluid on the floor where it was stored?

[@dlosona]

@@motorcyclefixer No fluid leak, it was baffling honestly. I did get a few large bubbles out though and was just wondering why tiny ones work there way back up the tube when the valve was closed. But it now works, so I now at least have new fluid in there bc it flushed all the old out. Checked it in the garage the next day and still working well. I’ll be taking it for a ride soon to trail test. If you don’t hear back, it’s all good! Thank you!

[@AwkwardRobert]

Good job. Thank you.

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you for comment 😀

[@williamsmith5521]

Really helpful easy to follow thanks mate.

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you

[@samkelogivenndwalane3990]

I've been struggling on my KtM duke 125 ABS, will this methord work or do I need something special?

[@motorcyclefixer]

If there's air in the Caliper this will work How would air be introduced into your system If that doesn't work I would consult the manual for the correct procedure

[@Anotos]

Thanks this was very helpful!

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you I'm glad you found it helpful

[@lastsonofkrypton36]

This got some braking power back on my CRF250L that was giving nothing before.

[@motorcyclefixer]

I'm glad it helped

[@jesse469]

Great video

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you 👍🏼

[@Nathan-zv7zv]

nice demo!

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you 👍🏼

[@BL44KI]

Thanks mate I really appreciate it helped me heaps

[@motorcyclefixer]

No problem 👍

[@reinlj06]

Helped me cheers

[@motorcyclefixer]

I'm glad it helped 👍

[@Jaskodzai]

You save my day.

[@motorcyclefixer]

I'm glad i could help . Thank you

[@jakemaxwell3709]

Really helpful tips thanks mate

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you

[@alabinibop]

Great video! Thanks 👍

[@motorcyclefixer]

Glad you liked it! Thank you for your comment

[@AnonyMooseUK]

Had my 125 KTM duke from new, and only driven 150 miles and the rear brake has the issue already. Is this normal for a new bike? Or should I take it back to the dealer? Wdyt? Thanks in advance.

[@motorcyclefixer]

I would take it back to the dealer and get them to make sure it's ok. And no it's not normal for it to go like that. They could have sheared a seal during assembly or something

[@AnonyMooseUK]

@@motorcyclefixer thx. I pumped it a few times and took it out on a run to test, and it started working after a while. I will keep an eye on it.

[@Theunprogrammed1]

Thank you for the video brother 🙏🏽

[@motorcyclefixer]

My pleasure

[@samtiedemann9135]

Umm could my seals be gone if it’s pushing air through the reservoir when I push the pedal down it also pumps the oil out the bleed screw tho

[@motorcyclefixer]

Do you mean that there's bubbles rising in the reservoir. That's good as the master cylinder bleeds that way Do the bleed screw up and pump the master cylinder to get the air out from there.

[@GSXRAlstareK3]

I cannot bleed the rear brakes on a RSX125, it simply refuses to bleed I cannot get any pressure to rear caliper. It has a Combined Brake System Controlling Valve CV. I have cracked all the joints but no pressure no movement on pads at all. Anyone got any ideas?

[@motorcyclefixer]

I'm sorry I have no experience with that set up If there's nothing coming through to the Caliper though I'd say something is blocked

[@ReiRidingSolo]

Thanks but you didn't say what a bleeder is and where to get one or attach it. I'm a super newbie

[@motorcyclefixer]

Hi Rachel If you google 'brake caliper bleed screw' it will show you examples of it. It's a bolt with a hole in it that is always near the top of your brake caliper. i just put a pipe from it into a container to catch the fluid.

[@joehatfield8003]

Good job awesome video!!

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you 👍🏼

[@Kdjoao]

Same thing happened on both my bike. Don't know what cause it

[@motorcyclefixer]

Did you check for air in them?

[@lordymanchester]

Where u based uk 🇬🇧 Watched few ur videos bang on helped me thanks

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you for your comment. I'm in south Wales

[@lordymanchester]

I’m over in Manchester but I’ll bare your location in mind always need good honest mechanic

[@motorcyclefixer]

@@lordymanchester thank you 👍🏼

[@sakshyamkayastha6924]

Does this air produce sound while braking? because when I apply front brake, it makes weird sound and I wonder if its due to the air trapped inside?

[@motorcyclefixer]

No It doesn't make a noise It will be something else making the noise

[@jamesw7224]

What do you do if you open the bleed screw and nothing comes out ? Having the same issue but brakes wont bleed 😞

[@motorcyclefixer]

It could be that it's full of air or it could be the master cylinder seals if nothing at all is coming out

[@chrisheath7500]

Thank you!

[@motorcyclefixer]

No problem Thank you for your comment 👍🏼

[@fijiarc2090]

Surely you're re introducing air into the brake lines by opening the bleed nipple before pushing down on the pedal...?

[@motorcyclefixer]

No There's not negative pressure in there creating a vacuum As long as the brake pedal is fully returned it's ok

[@wesleybasener9705]

Thank you, very helpful!

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you 👍🏼

[@redpepper007]

but how does the air get in there if its supposed to be air tight system... probably wont be enough with bleeding?

[@motorcyclefixer]

Usually if theres a leak on the caliper and the reservoir goes below the level Thats the most common I dont know the history of this one It came to me like this

[@redpepper007]

@@motorcyclefixer ok, so I gotta inspect my caliper as well. After sitting for winter months in garage, there seems to be air inside, as rear brake has become very weak. Thanks!

[@user-bn2iz7gj4h]

Cool

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you

[@bikersoncall]

I have a lot of hours on the bike, when I blead the back brake it stopped working completely, it had been working fine, just a bit tight on the rotor. I think I blead it right, got all bubbles out, topped off the reservoir. Could the added pumping and opening the valve put it over the edge?

[@motorcyclefixer]

It shouldn't have but it's a possibility. Sometimes you can unbolt the rear Caliper and hold it above the reservoir Then pump the back brake to make sure all the air comes to the top and then bleed it You need to 100%make sure that the fluid level in the reservoir doesn't fall below the bottom or it will take ages to bleed it all out

[@bikersoncall]

@@motorcyclefixer Thanks. I pumped it and the reservoir was full, it didn't pump up, so I don't think there is any air in it, I don't think I added any air at all by bleeding it, they worked fine before I started, just dragged a bit. Maybe I jammed the plunger in too far, could that ruin it?

[@motorcyclefixer]

@@bikersoncall it shouldn't really as long as it hasn't jammed up inside

[@bikersoncall]

@@motorcyclefixer How do you know when you've pushed it in too far, is there a mechanical stop that is really sturdy, preventing someone from pushing it in too far accidentally?

[@motorcyclefixer]

@@bikersoncall no it should go to the end and spring back but there could be crap in there 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@WockalaG]

Still got no pressure , did everything in the video still got no pressure

[@motorcyclefixer]

It could be that you master cylinder seals have gone then

[@C5show]

🫡 thank you

[@808livin.8]

I do that and it still has no pressure and when i pump it the fluid doesnt go down.

[@motorcyclefixer]

It sounds like your master cylinder seals are no good

[@808livin.8]

@@motorcyclefixer could it be my pads are to worn out i just found that the front are way fatter than the back and the back are skinny so the pistons are all the way out.

[@motorcyclefixer]

@@808livin.8 Is there any fluid in the system? As long as it's not leaking that wouldn't make a difference

[@808livin.8]

@@motorcyclefixer its full of fluid..so even if the pads are worn out it would still hold pressure cause i pump it and it doesnt move at all.

[@motorcyclefixer]

@@808livin.8 Master cylinder seals then

[@darknesspicfyi1520]

what size of tube?

[@motorcyclefixer]

Hi A flexible one that is a nice fit on the bleed screw is what you need measure the diameter of the nipple on the bleed screw and buy one a millimeter smaller

[@PBmarcus]

mine got no fluid in it what do i do ?

[@motorcyclefixer]

fill up the reservoir and bleed it. Check for leaks as you'll have to fix them first

[@uditkhar.8877]

Sir ive few queries as im suffering from same issue and service centre is clueless and unable find any issue. Let me know if I can connect with you separately

[@motorcyclefixer]

Hi What seems to be the issue

[@uditkhar.8877]

@@motorcyclefixer I'm facing similar issue in my Bajaj Pulsar F250. Foot brakes go loose just like this and after 20 odd mins gets better automatically. I reached out to SVC they said it's bcz my brake pads have been finished. But my bike has only run 2k kms and this shouldn't be happening. Pls advise, what can be the issue behind brakes failing & brake pads going wrong too quickly. Also are they interlinked?

[@motorcyclefixer]

@@uditkhar.8877 it sounds as if it may be the master cylinder seals

[@uditkhar.8877]

@@motorcyclefixer what exactly do you mean?

[@uditkhar.8877]

@@motorcyclefixer can u pls explain what do I need to tell SVC folks

[@streetkillkouvola9142]

i bleed my brake but nothing work

[@motorcyclefixer]

It may be that your master cylinder seals are no good

[@streetkillkouvola9142]

@@motorcyclefixer yeah ill but new ones today and replace them

[@elvisisalive2716]

I tried this and my neighbors wife got pregnant

[@motorcyclefixer]

That could be an issue It's all about deniability 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@fathersonadventures]

Great video

[@motorcyclefixer]

Thank you

[@noahsteinbach286]

Thank you!

[@motorcyclefixer]

You're welcome!