Guess what's a pain the as(terisk)?

[Zwerski]

Bleeding the front brakes sucks. Chr!st almighty I had a f**k-all of a time installing my HEL stainless brake lines today. Rear went fine, but the front got a bubble or something in there. I tried all kinds of shennannigans to get it out - tapping with a screwdriver, etc. Plus my new Speed Bleeder did not work one bit. $25 down the drain. Here they are, but with the old bolts installed. The beautiful new stainless ones that came with the kit were threaded M10x1.25 while the stock ones are M10x1.0. Once I was in there, there was no calling the guy and having him ship me out some new ones. Anyhoo, they work nicely, and the bike's got new fluid and current lines (old ones were 16 years old). Take a look (SHINY!):

Rear line attachment to the brake actuator:


Front line attachment to the caliper:

[adidasguy]

Not uncommon for banjo bolts to come with wrong threads. Old banjos are fine to re-use. always use new crush washers. Bought lots of SS brake lines so that's how I know. We do use both sizes on our bikes if you compare master cylinders and brake calipers.


You will like the feel of the brakes. Now you will actually notice there is a fear brake!

[Zwerski]

Yeah. These really woke up the rear brake, for sure. Braking seems crisper, but I think there is still a bubble in the front. Stops really nice, though. When I tested them out on my street, I actually got on the front enough to make the tire squeal a little. A lot cleaner looking on the bike, too.

[codajastal]

Yeah I just had to bleed my front brake and I am in the same boat. What a PITA

[Juan1]

Have you tried rotating the reservoir forward, squeezing the brake all the way then closing the bleed screw, and then tapping the reservoir? It worked for me once.

[Watevaman]

 Bleeding the front took me like 30 minutes because I was certain nothing was happening. But it's worth it in the end.

[jestercinti]

Bought a vacuum pump. Best $30 I spent. Love it. Great for bleeding brakes.


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[Scoz]

Nice job man. Stainless lines look much nicer than the stock ones too.  I cant wait to do this to mine as well.  Do you find a big difference in modulation of the rear break?  I really don't like the mushy weirdness of that thing stock.  But maybe its just me?

[Zwerski]

The stainless lines are a lot skinnier than stock too.

[Erika]

I had the same problem after putting on new ss lines. Stupid air bubble. It took me a couple tries on different days to get it out. I would give up and come back on a different day, but the bubble would not budge. I even borrowed a vaccuum pump. At least I have new pads and rubber parts in the caliper, though. I was surpised how extra cruddy the caliper was inside. Now I have to do the rear one knowing it's probably also cruddy. I just dread dealing with the bubble again, though.

[noworries]

Worth a try...at the end of bleeding, pull the lever back hard, secure to bar with cable tie or two, leave overnight. Can do similar with rear. May assist is removing that last bubble.

[Juan1]

Worth a try...at the end of bleeding, pull the lever back hard, secure to bar with cable tie or two, leave overnight. Can do similar with rear. May assist is removing that last bubble.

Had to do this on another motorcycle once.  Worked like a charm.