Brake problem

[Sir Smapty]

Hi folks.
a few weeks ago I went out to the bike and pulled the brake lever during my pre-ride check and the lever had no resistance.  I pulled it several times to see if it got better but it didn't.   I didn't have time to fix anything then, so I just recently got around to it.
Since the bike is old as dirt, I replaced the front caliper and pads.  I bled all the gunk and nasty fluid from the master cylinder and lines and put in new DOT4 fluid.  I bled that through until the fluid looked like new and there were no air bubbles in the line.  Made sure the bleder screw was tight, and that the resevoir cover was tight.
I went to grab a hand full of break lever and same thing.  No resistance. OK, maybe I have to prime it?  so I pumped it a dozen or so times and it never changed.

WTF.  I can't find any leaks. bike hasn't been downed.  Is the Master Cylinder hosed??

On a positve note, I got the fork seals replaced and installed the progressive springs.  It'd be nice to get the front brakes working so I can try out the new suspension.

Please someone help.

[500rider]

I'm no brake expert but here's some thoughts.  If there's absolutely no resistance then you must have a lot of air in it.  If there is some resistance but the lever gradually sinks I would think fluid is blowing by the master cylinder.  If you can pull the lever most of the way but still holds pressure then it could be a small amount of air or your lines could be shot.  You are supposed to replace the rubber lines every 4 years.  The stainless braided ones last longer.  

I am going through a similar thing with my Katana.  The lever holds pressure but it travels a long way.  I bled it several times with no improvement.  The lines are the originals (I bought the bike recently) and were never changed so they are 16 years old.  I read that the lines can start to get soft over time and lose resistance to pressure.  I'm getting some stainless lines made up and going with HH pads.

[Sir Smapty]

ahh, ok,
I'll try a new brake line and see what happens.