The EASIEST Way To Bleed Motorcycle Brakes

[@greasesgarage]

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Had you heard of speed bleeders before watching this video? If so, have you tried them before?

[@PanamaSticks]

I put these on my bike about 10 years ago when I changed all the brake lines. Unfortunately I had big problems getting the air cleared. I bled and bled and bled and bled and still the brakes were spongy. Because it took so long to get my brakes firm I haven't flushed them in 10 years. I realize I shouldn't have let them go so long. My brakes are probably corroded. I want to attempt this. I still have almost a full quart of synthetic DOT 3. It was capped tightly and stored in the garage. Is it any good? Will the check valves still work?

[@erikrapoport7318]

I love that you change brake fluid. I've done it a couple times, but i always feel I'm doing it unnecessarily. But you're 100% correct, when the brakes are squishy, BLEED EM

[@greasesgarage]

Maybe it’s just the DOT 5 that breaks down quicker but I was very surprised it was that gray in a year. Def makes me wanna continue changing it annually

[@bB-pc5wp]

I've been riding an 87 FXSTC for a few years, and I have not found much quality content out there for Evo guys. I am very excited about your channel.

[@greasesgarage]

Thanks brotha! The goal of this channel is to help 1000 riders get their builds across the finish line and I can only hope it brings the evo chopper to the forefront where it belongs. It’s a fantastic platform

[@johnalbright8093]

OR, you can use a small oil/chemical hand pump connected to the Bleed fitting on your caliper and reverse bleed the system. works on all bikes. You pump the fluid in the old fluid overflow out at the master( Put a pan down, LoL ) until old is replaced by new along with any air. 100% filled and bled first time every time. Fast, Simple, No Helper needed and you don't have to chase down a part to fit your caliper. I've been using this method for close to 30 years at home, my shop, and on the road BTW Nice video I enjoyed it well done like all the others in your series

[@victorauletta7699]

I run both front and rear brakes on my rigid. I gravity bleed the front and basically do the rear the way you do yours. Great video. Also, love the point setup. Been running points for 50 years. Simple system, always gets me home. Ride safe.

[@greasesgarage]

Thanks Victor, you too!

[@atomicdmt8763]

excellent. Just installed 2 myself..........absolute game changer! and/also I learned that REVERSE BLEEDING ie using a large syring to inject brake fluid into the nipple (when replacing a brake line, for example) will push out much air/pre-prime the system in a better way. Then swapped over to the speed bleeders to push fluid out.

[@greasesgarage]

The perfect system!

[@dictumfactum9468]

Great article. I always put a little heavy grease around the threads to prevent any leaks there. Mi dos centavos.

[@greasesgarage]

That’s a great tip, thanks man!

[@vidvidbiker]

Just spotted you are running points in your Evo motor - excellent choice. I am sure folk would find a video on timing the points without resorting to the timing marks on the crank really useful.

[@greasesgarage]

Thanks! Yea I’ve been very happy with them, super simple and easy to work on. I will say though, I’ve always used the advance mark on the crank to set the timing. Do you do it a different way?

[@LNSPLTBLVD]

Thanks for making this video!

[@greasesgarage]

Hope it helps brotha 🤘🏼

[@ecuz3]

Gotta love the bar rescue reference hahaha

[@greasesgarage]

Musta seen every episode haha

[@ironheadrick6244]

Great vid. Haven't heard of these until I came across your channel. Subbed.

[@greasesgarage]

Thanks Rick! These things are a massive time saver

[@Electricjello]

Great brake bleeder video! Watched till the end waiting to hear where to get this $7 helper, 😫 you never mentioned it.

[@greasesgarage]

My brotha the link is right in the description!

[@gregcaron6627]

Yes, speed bleeders will simplify this task. Off subject, I would like to see a video with your thoughts on routine maintenance, spring set up, etc. Also, unfortunately I parked my bike 2 1/2 years ago & let it sit without draining gas or any prep. How bout some good advice on bringing a bike out of slumber ('95 Bad Boy). Thanks!

[@greasesgarage]

Excellent idea man, I can definitely work this into the list. Thanks!

[@Forbidden-po8ey]

Dudes! So got these bleeder deals, worked on my chopper great. Put them on another bike, pump fluid, get some fluid coming out, tighten the bleeder, only getting slightly tighter brake, still squishy. Banjo has new crush washers, tightened well, lines are pretty new, can't seem to get it to tighten up. Heard maybe throwing some pipe thread on the bleeder threads? Any other ideas y'all got?

[@greasesgarage]

One other idea I can throw out is that sometimes the seal on the piston inside the caliper can let go and the fluid leaks out past the piston and onto the rotor, if the brake is really old it could be worth popping it off and making sure the piston seals are still good

[@sonnyrico]

When locktight bleeds his brakes is when he buys new vans😊

[@greasesgarage]

Hahah it’s like a wear gauge

[@MrMeatball052]

Do I spy yet another new set of handlebars? You go through those like I go through underwear......weekly!

[@greasesgarage]

Ugh, tell me about it man. I just can’t decide which ones suit the bike the best. I have three sets right now Ive been rotating between. Drags, rabbits and ape hangers. I’m thinking the ape hangers are the best of the three but I’d love to try some lower ones, 6” or maybe even 4”

[@CarlosGarcia-ls4hn]

Question...when you filled the reservoir with the new DOT 5 fluid and you opened the bleeder valve, why did we not see any of that purple fluid coming out of the hose, which would have indicated a full rotation of the new fluid?

[@greasesgarage]

It’s just tough for the camera to pick it up, if I drained it into a clear can instead of a black bucket you would see the purple tint

[@markslattery3476]

Q : If I have dual front brakes, do I open one speed bleeder at a time, or simultaneously? Thx.

[@greasesgarage]

@@markslattery3476 that’s a good question. I would do both at the same time just in case air bled back through the T fitting

[@rickyricardo976]

What does it mean to have a 5/8" bore, vs a 3/4" bore forward control rear brake master cylinder? How do I know what my four piston rear brake caliper likes/needs?...Sorry, but I'm lost on this info.

[@greasesgarage]

This is a great question and the first time I’ve gotten it! I will research this for you and get a video on it

[@papagaiogaioladomato]

On my XLH 94 hardtail I have a 4 pot performance machine caliper with all Russel brake lines and a 3/4 master cylinder. I have tried everything I know of and still don’t get a good brake. Lucky my tokico front one is good. Any suggestion

[@greasesgarage]

Are you using a speed bleeder like the one in this video?

[@papagaiogaioladomato]

@@greasesgarage yes speed bleeder from russel

[@greasesgarage]

@@papagaiogaioladomato my only suggestions would be to check all your banjo bolts and washers for any leaks, the caliper piston could be letting fluid out too, that’s also worth checking

[@Scorcher220]

Hell yea hoodies!

[@aaronhavens1121]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[@greasesgarage]

Glad it was helpful! Hope it changes the way you do this job in the future

[@wadewiththebraid]

Is your exhaust welded right to the frame?

[@greasesgarage]

Good eye! I’m surprised nobody has mentioned this on any of my videos yet, I’m changing the exhaust this winter so for the time being it’s hard mounted direct to the frame

[@patrickjordan7547]

Where do you get a speed bleeder my friend

[@greasesgarage]

Link is in the description 👍🏼

[@fascamaro]

you will need to pump about 500 to 1000x but it will work eventually lol

[@greasesgarage]

Don’t open the bleeder as far, the pressure will build quicker

[@ilovecarnitas]

awesome!

[@2000jago]

Why the distinction for "Chooper" guys? Aren't we all motorcyclists?

[@greasesgarage]

This is a great question. I make the distinction because if you were to make a post about choppers in a “motorcycle” community, you’ll find that a LOT of people don’t agree with the removal of safety items or the sketchiness of choppers in general. Choppers are a subculture, all chopper guys are motorcyclists but NOT all motorcyclists are chopper guys.