Brake bleeder nipples!

[skids]

I bought new brake pads for the front calipers of one of my xs11 E's. I had to squeeze the front brake too hard to stop the bike and I blamed it on some pads that appeared to be grey when new (ebay special). I always thought they might be ceramic or some cheap compound. When I removed them, they looked like sintered pads yet there was very little wear. I had the calipers apart anyway, so I installed the new pads. Then came the bleeding process. The nipples would not allow fluid to the tips. Needless to say, it made a bit of a mess bleeding around the nipple threads. I was able to bleed them this way and exchange fluid. The brakes improved 100%. I ordered new nipples and after I ordered them, I noticed that they are "speed bleeders." I hope They don't give me problems. They do come with caps BTW.

[bikerphil]

The nipples would not allow fluid to the tips

The hole in the side of the bleed screw can be cleaned for proper operation you know.

[skids]

I do now. I hope the new speed bleeders work OK. They come with caps. I have heard that they work great or not at all.

[skids]

The hole in the side of the bleed screw can be cleaned for proper operation you know.

I installed the speed bleeders. Man, bleeding brakes is so much easier now! I hop that factory thread seal holds-up for the next brake fluid change.

Phil, I did clear the bleeder holes in the old nipples. I couldn't just poke them with a wire. I had to drill out that hardened stuff. I will save those for spares.

[bikerphil]

Cool, glad they worked out for you. Yep, I always use teflon tape on the bleed screw so the vac pump doesn't draw any air while bleeding.

[skids]

Well, I tried it without the mityvac because they are speed bleeders with a check valve. They work! No mess-no fuss THIS TIME. I just wonder about the check valves next time I bleed. I suppose the trick is to also make sure the fluid is fresh.

[bikerphil]

Sid, are you saying the speed bleeders have some type of thread sealer already on them?

[skids]

Sid, are you saying the speed bleeders have some type of thread sealer already on them?

Yes they do. On install, they screw in with some resistance on the final 6 turns or so. It looks like there is some sort of pipe dope on them for half of the threads. There was no leakage when I pumped fluid with the master cylinder. It all went right out of the hose. The only clean-up was due to removal of the old nipple when replacing it with the new. I thought there would be some air introduced in that process, but pumping new fluid through the caliper was so easy, I hardly noticed it. Highly recommended IF the ball check and sealant holds for next time!

[skids]

This is what I ordered and used:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/273215825839

[bikerphil]

Yep, I can see the sealer in the threads.