SpeedBleeder Install on a motorcycle

[@thewelder9492]

Hello Chris. You were kind enough to respond to me last year concerning mounting auxiliary led lights on my crash bars (that’s where they ended up). I ordered these exact bleeders at the beginning of March. Still waiting lol. And then I found your video! Awesome. So appreciate your teaching prowess. You definitely are a teacher. Keep it up. My 2018 RT has 32000km on it now. Just did the rear brakes and serviced the FD (water had got in and the shaft was seized, but that’s taken care of). Now to do the coolant flush and soon this Alberta winter will be over! Again thanks for your videos.

[@2muchgear750]

Very cool. A mech in England also recommends putting a strap or rubber band on the brake lever to keep it under tension over night after bleeding. He claims this will force ALL the air to rise to the top.

[@kiki231000]

That is good recommendation - and won't hurt. I am about to install a Clake clutch on my enduro race bike , and that step is specifically mentioned.

[@MikeBaker___]

So detailed. Thanks!

[@monsternorm4245]

Hey, all great advice. But it didn’t seem clear to me. Once we install the speed bleeders on the bike, can we leave them on permanently? Or do we need to reinstall the original ones? Thanks

[@kiki231000]

Speed bleeders permanently replace the stock units. They tighten down in the same fashion, however they only allow flow in one direction when loosened.

[@monsternorm4245]

Thanks so much for answering!!!

[@edwindanieljacob]

Thanks so much for this! I just ordered speed bleeders myself for my Honda. Do you also bleed from the brake lever’s caliper?

[@kiki231000]

I assume you mean the master cylinder up at the lever? You will need to bleed at the master cylinder, if there is a nipple there. Some bikes have nipples there, while others do not. For that one, i don't bother installing a speedbleeder, as it is so quick and easy to do the old fashion way.

[@imadjawad4408]

My 2015 K1600 GT, left side bleeder is outputting fluid from the top hole slowly when applying break, is it defective? Chris, thanks for taking the time to read my question, appreciate it, do you recommend a specific bleeder brand? Thanks :)

[@kiki231000]

Yes-- either your bleeder is not seated down (either too loose or something is preventing it from seating and closing), or it is damaged . To be perfectly honest, I have never seen a stock bleeder fail, since all it is simply a bolt with a hole in it. If you decide to install a speed bleeder, the most common brand is Speedbleeder (I believe the original maker). I have also installed Russell brand as well. Both work great. Speed bleeders, unlike stock, have a small spring and check ball inside them.

[@imadjawad4408]

@@kiki231000 I took it off and back on several times now and kept bleeding, took the master cylinder cover off back on, bleeding gone!! Maybe was pressure somewhere, its annoying when I don't understand how the problem disappeared 😒

[@imadjawad4408]

Thank you so much for your time!!

[@kiki231000]

@@imadjawad4408 Something is wrong with the bleeder. I would keep an eye on it, watch your fluid level , and make sure you clean the fluid off your caliper and wheel.

[@davebeck925]

I recently bought the stainless steel version of the Speedbleeders to install on my '16 K1600GTLE in preparation for it's first year brake bleed. In your video, you showed how to replace the stock nipples with the Speedbleeders, but only pumped them a few times to remove air bubbles, leaving most of the old fluid in the system, which may be contaminated with moisture or other debris. In order to properly bleed the brakes, shouldn't the old brake fluid be suctioned out of the reservoirs with a syringe, and be replenished with fresh fluid before beginning the bleeding process? Thanks for preparing and sharing this video!

[@kiki231000]

Watch around the 7 minute mark in the following video--- kzbin.info/www/bejne/paHSfZmCf8l3eJI I recorded this a couple months back and showed a normal flush bleed (as part of the scheduled maintenance ) , which does include the suctioning. I was hoping to install the speedbleeders back then but they were on back order. So therefore I decided to make a video on them alone these last few days. When i installed them, i simply bled out the air bubbles created in the install, so not a true flush bleed like i did a couple months back.

[@bunkyfarm188]

Hi Chris - thanks for the video I just did this on my 2016 RT also. One thing I noticed is on both the front left and right speedbleeders there was still some thread sticking out when I screwed it in. I screwed it in until it stopped as you described. Job is complete and there does not appear to be any leaks so it's probably fine but just wondered if you had the same thing happen to you? My right hand side front was the 8mm bleeder and left hand side was 6mm. Rear bleeder was pretty flush with no thread sticking out once it bottomed out. Thanks

[@kiki231000]

Excellent point. Yes, there are still threads sitting proud so the hex does not bottom all the way out into the calliper flush (except for the rear is fairly close).

[@bunkyfarm188]

Thanks Chris I just wanted to check that you were seeing the same thing and it was normal. Keep up the good work I just subscribed. Cheers.

[@edzahra1193]

Chris, I commend you for all your instructional "tutorial" videos. I own a 2016 K1600gtl. Would you know if those speed bleeders will work on my machine? Also, for resetting the maintenance indicator , is the GS911 the only available tool to reset? Appreciate any feedback, Cheers Ed

[@kiki231000]

Speedbleeders will work just fine on your K16 (as i show in one of my videos). As far as resetting the service reminder, the only tool available for your K bike is the GS911 Wifi. It is not cheap, but as far as i am aware its the only one.

[@richfjr1300]

how did you figure out what size you needed? take off the bleeders and measured each one? i see an assortment of different sizes

[@kiki231000]

richfjr1300 here is the link to the size guide www.speedbleeder.com/Motorcycle%20Sizes.htm

[@aaelsawy]

Chris, first off, thank you for all the great videos. You have helped me out a lot over the years! Question about the bleeding process. I watched another video where the GS911 was used to activate the ABS pump between bleeds. So bleed, activate ABS pump, repeat 3 times. Needless to say, I don't have the GS911. Do you think the way you are bleeding it is sufficient? Why does the GS911 cycle the ABS pump? Letting out air bubbles or flushing fluid inside the pump? Is there an alternative process? Maybe bleed, go for a ride, repeat? Thanks!

[@kiki231000]

The modern RT (2014+) does not require you to activate the ABS with the GS911. However, the 2005 - 2009 does. There are people on KZbin that will show the GS911 involved flush on current production R1200 bikes. Although it does not damage anything, and it speeds up the process, it is not required by the OEM manual.

[@MarkJones-gd3nt]

Chris On the Street hi Chris!I,v just subscribed to your channel!great job!will this work on a 2013 RT?I'm worried about the abs system!also,would you need to add fluid,as the old fluid comes out?it's not a job I,v done before!but am keen to have a go to save money!thanks!👍

[@kiki231000]

Yes you will need to add fluid as you pump it out. Essentially the lever activates the pumping in a "one-way" action, and draws the fluid from the reservoir at the handlebar. As you pump you will see the level drop and will need to top it up, usually a few times on a full flush. On your 2013 there is not a requirement to specifically activate the ABS unit. The process is essentially the same as shown in this video.

[@koastalkd9986]

what size or part # is required for a 2014 K1600 GTL exclusive?

[@daveshane5925]

Hi Chris, I really enjoy your videos as I just picked up my first RT last fall, very informative. I am in the process of purchasing Speedbleeders and wanted to know if you had to purchase adapters in addition to the bleeders? The website calls for them for my 2018 RT. Thank you and stay safe. Dave

[@kiki231000]

I am not certain what adapters you are referring to. I did not have to on mine, and from what i can see, you have the same part number as i do (K52 Model).

[@daveshane5925]

Thank you Chris for the fast reply. On a side note, four of us went to Nova Scotia last fall (my first time in Canada) and rode the Cabot Trail and other places. Camped most nights. Just want to say a beautiful area and the people were very friendly! Take care and thanks again. Dave from Massachusetts

[@kiki231000]

@@daveshane5925 glad to hear. we ride in Mass and NH a lot as one of our crew lives in Conn, and the other in RI

[@albertosbrolla8424]

👍