time to clean the spooge

[CatatonicBug]

I'm confused how you are bleeding JUST the caliper and not the MC... You bleed the SYSTEM not the individual parts. Fluid goes in the MC and air gets pushed out the bleeder screw on the caliper. nothing gets pushed IN the bleeder screw once the system is assembled.

[kevxs]

yeah thats what i thought, but i keep reading other posts that say to bleed the m/c first ???

i figured the air would work its way out but since my lever is still a bit spongy i wondered if not bleed the m/c was my problem.

probably i just need spend a little more time getting all the air out

[CatatonicBug]

What those threads are referring to is more of a Priming of the MC. If you can get fluid to push out the caliper by squeezing the lever, that part is done. Often times, letting the system sit overnight to allow air bubbles to rise and collect will make it easier to push the air out.

[bikerphil]

Once you have it bled as best as you can, fill up the MC and close it up. Compress the lever all the way and wrap a bungee cord around it and let it sit overnite. If it still feels spongy tomorrow, refer to post #10 in this thread...

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...r+bubble+banjo

[DGXSER]

Yep, I have used the bungee on the brake lever overnight method myself, and found good success with it every time so far.

Depending just how far your lever will travel toward the bars, you may want to put a 1/2" or so block of wood between the brake lever and the bars to keep from over compressing the lever and causing the forward seal to flip. (Never had it happen to me, but it seems common enough to warn about it.)

[natemoen]

I just got done bleeding my front brakes after putting SS lines on. I too had the spongy lever after doing it and I put the cover on and wrapped a zip tie around the lever to hold it in some and left it alone for awhile. If I walked past it I gave the lever a couple squeezes and then put the tie back on. Now the lever feel is quite firm.

[kevxs]

Yep, I have used the bungee on the brake lever overnight method myself, and found good success with it every time so far.

Depending just how far your lever will travel toward the bars, you may want to put a 1/2" or so block of wood between the brake lever and the bars to keep from over compressing the lever and causing the forward seal to flip. (Never had it happen to me, but it seems common enough to warn about it.)

yeah i keep reading about this however i didn't know this yesterday when i bled them. how will i know if i flipped the seal? i definately pulled the lever all the way while bleeding . . .

[DGXSER]

I would say that if you still feel the brakes working, you did not flip it. Might still be a little soft and spongy if you have air, but if you flipped it I would expect it to not work much if at all.

[petejw]

if u crack the banjo bolt at the mastercylinder,
while lightly pushing the lever in, ull see if there
are any bubbles coming out, tighten the bolt b4
releasing the lever, u should only need to
do it a cpl of times, that then should give u a good lever,
just be careful with the spilling brake fluid i usually hold a
rag underneath to catch any spilt fluid.
i know ppl tie the lever and leave it over night, but
u shouldnt need to do that, but each to there own.

[kevxs]

thanks!

hey guys, thanks for all your help, i rebuilt the front brakes, went for a short ride and of course the rear started sticking so i rebuilt that one, put new pads on the back and now i'm good to go.
(i think my mechanic skills are improving since i got this beast)

not sure why the manual told me to unbolt and hindge up the rear fender before i removed the rear axle?? i see no reason for this, i had plenty of clearance for everything i needed to do.

anyway i had my first ride into work today and i'm a happy camper.

long live xs11.com!!