Replacing the Brake Fluid

[bigburma]

She showed me the pattern pieces she had cut out. Don't know what she has in mind to make one out of yet though.

[Kerry]

Just for kicks (and to take the pictures) I recreated my original brake bleeding method today, as well as the one I used a week or two ago on MY bike.

Here's the bendable drinking straw / paper cup / Scotch tape setup.  I wouldn't recommend it unless you're both broke and patient.  It takes some doing to get the straw to stretch enough to fit over the valve.  And the straw moves as you open and close the valve, so you have to use a light touch....






I MUCH prefer this next setup.  It's even easier / cleaner than the one I used in the How-To page I just posted, but since it costs a few bucks more I thought I would document the more DIY version in the How-To page.







If you feel like you just gotta have a Speed Bleeder Bag, go to this page on the Speed Bleeder website.

While you're at it, you may want to look into their flagship product: one-way bleeder valves.  It's a pretty slick concept, and SpeedBleeder is not the only outfit marketing a similar product.  I actually bought two pairs of the valves myself a couple years ago, but never got them installed.

Sigh....  

[GSRider]

Kerry, my friend (Who rides a '00 929) got the speed bleeder setup last year and swears by it. He now does his brake fluid every spring because he claims it's that easy.

As for the tank bra (Sorry 'bout the hijack  ) if there is an extra one made, I'd love to get set up with it (I have an '00)

[gavin]

Here's a suggestion to make an easy job even easier.

Empty the reservoir with a turkey baster or some such suction device and fill with new fluid first, then all that has to be flushed is the line.

Good idea!

Me, I don't mind the extra pumping.  It's kinda therapeutic.  

Better yet, how about siphoning it out with the hose and bottle?

Great instructions Kerry.  Thanks!

-Gavin

[Old man]

Kerry,

A slightly different question....

But first the history,,,,,after having the brake fluid changed by the shop the level window became frosted and as such hard to see the level, I thought [imagined/hoped] that I could see fluid, [after all its only been 6months since the change].  Lately I have noticed the brake lever feels 'jerky' today it was definately stuffed! I tried to gently squeeze the lever only to have it come on hard and fast causing the front end to Dive like a sub....Bloody scary at 110km! I almost put myself over the front end. Anyway I limped home on the rear and down gearing, and staying 10miles away from anything in front of me, i made it to safety.... I took the top of the reservoir off and the diaphram was 'way down' in the reservoir, I didnt have any DOT4 so that will be purchased tomorrow, and so to the question... if I have completely emptied the reservoir, is there a different technique to refilling than you have shown? [can I add Dot4 until its 'full' or do iI have to go all the way] and, as i have removed the cover plate have I introduced air to the system, thus rendering any chance of riding it back to the shop?

Why I have 'run out' of brake fluid is a bit of a mystery as there are no apparent leaks anywhere in the system and up until lately braking has been normal??

I have never changed brake fluid before, I like to leave that kind of thing to those who are 'qualified' but as I am in a pickle I might have to do it myself, any help you can spare to a total 'Noob' would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Old man.

[tt_four]

Kerry hasn't been around in quite a while.

As far as your brakes, if they messed it up 6 months ago, I'd be hesitant to take it back to them now. I'd be worried that I was just paying them to do it wrong again.

As far as the resevior being empty, there's really only one step to bleeding brakes, which is putting more fluid in the top, and squeezing it out at the bottom. It's pretty much the same process either way. If you read Turkina's post from 4/29/05 at 6:00pm, they pretty much went over the process for someone who was in the same situation as you are with their friends 250. You've just gotta fill it with fluid and start pumping it through. Even once the new fluid makes it to the other end you're going to want to do it 1 or 2 more times and tap/shake all the air bubbles loose inbetween.