Well, it's done...almost

[LoserShoes]

One last suggestion just to cover all the bases! You did back out the adjuster screw on the brake lever where it pushes on the MC piston? Haveing that adjusted to far in will not allow the piston to return far enough for fluid to enter the piston area and you'll get no pressure.

Perhaps try removing the lever and pushing the piston with a dowel or something.

Steve

[dragxs11]

I've got some bad news for you.... It's probably never going to be done. There always seems to be something left to do. The good news is, most bikes are that way. If you ride them that is. What makes it all worth it though is out-riding newer bikes costing 3x's as much money. And, your riding something different.

[xs650mike]

That bike is (as we said back in the '50s) tough enough! Know what you mean about people not having a clue as to what a '79 XS11 is. I've only seen one other XS11 (a standard) since I bought the bike except for the time I met some XSives from this forum for lunch.

[Burly1]

Mac, you're causing some serious XSenvy here. Well done! Burl

[TADracer]

Truly a beautiful machine you have made. Congrats to you!

Before you bring this beautiful piece to a shop for brake work try this. First, did you bleed the master cylinder (I am sure there are instructions around here somewhere). If you have gotten air into the MC or rebuilt it, the MC must be bled first otherwise it will take ages to get all the air out. Then, use a hand vacuum pump to suck fluid from the reservoir through the calipers - Left side first (it does make a difference though, I am not sure why). While you doing this you can keep the MC cover off and make sure to keep fluid in the reservoir.

I recently switched from std lines to Russel braided SS lines and used this method. One pull and they were hard as a rock.

Does your 4 into 2 system have a crossover pipe? If not, this could be your stumble problem.

[Harleychanic]

Have you tried using a Vacula? It is an air operated vacuum pump used specifically for bleeding brake or other pressure lines that use brake fluid. I use the one I bought when I worked at the dealership all the time for services thit I do at home. You hook it up to a steady supply of air, open the bleeder and attach the nozzle to it, turn it on and it draws the brake fluid through the system as you pour it into the master cylinder resevoir.

[mastan]

I just went through the same thing. I ended up getting a new M/C from partsnmore and am very happy with the results. That is one beautiful motorcycle! Thats a lot of money, but when you compare it with what is available today, I think you did well.
Mark Stanton

[John]

Reverse bleeding works well also. This is accomplished by forcing brake fluid from the caliper to the M/C. I bought a tool designed to do this, and it works great. It think it was Prometheus that used an oil can with a trigger pump on it to force the fluid and air up and into the reservior, and out of the system. You will want to protect the bike from the brake fluid squirting up from the M/C. You can avoid this by beginning with an empty reservior, and putting the cap back on the M/C. That will contain the squrting fluid. Keep an eye of the fluid level in the M/C when doing this.

[Yamaniac]

Mac,

I just got through cleaning up my front brakes (now working on rear). No new kits, stock lines, just cleaned really well, etc. It took me about 30 minutes to bleed the fronts. Most of that was spent working the air out of MC. I don't know whether it was good or bad, but I lubed the rubber pieces of the MC up before putting it all back together. Once all pieces were assembled on the bike and tightened, I turned the brake lever adjusting screw pretty much all the way in, so I could get more movement from the pump inside the MC. Also, with bike on center stand, had wheel turned all the way to the left. It seemed like it took forever, but pumping 5-10 times on the lever, then, pushing it with my finger in between so I didn't bottom it out, then open and shut left bleeder. Several times of this, the left finally took, then the right quickly after.

Don't know if it'll help or not, but just thought I'd throw in my 40% of a nickel.

And, at the risk of sounding redundant, your bike looks hella good.

[mason79]

i just want to bring in the pictures again

[81xsproject]

That is really funny. I was just looking at the thread title on the list and thought the same thing that Drag said earlier; it is never "done." You will just find yourself looking for more neat new things to make it kick ass.

[cajun31]

I haven't seen one look this good in a while. Here's to many years of dependability with this great looking machine. Well Done!

[Lever]

Nicely done. Something you'll be proud to ride & show for years. They're always better if you made them. Money CAN buy love but not that.

Thought that backdrop looked like Utah. Let me guess.....NE side of Tooele? Sure looks like the Oquirh (don't remember how to spell that) mountains with the mouth of middle canyon. Was I close?

[OpFlash]

wow this is truly a special machine excellent work there!

[79XS11F]

AWESOME job there on that bike. It's a joy to see one in that condition. I power bled the brakes on mind when I rebuilt it and had no problems. I hope you can sort out that brake issue. These bikes are way to fast for poor brakes.
Rob