SG left front caliper bleed problem

[DeanR]

I can't get this stupid right caliper to bleed. Latest try is a reverse bleed attempt, sending fluid through the bleeder and up to the M/C, taking air with it. Problem is that it doesn't seem to be moving past the 'Y'.
It just stops accepting more brake fluid.
Other side no problem, fluid flows right on up to the M/C. Which might imply that the problem is not in the single line from the 'Y' to the M/C.
Both lower lines have been removed, are clear, and reconnected.
I don't know what or where it is being blocked.
Any insights?
(It's taken a while ! to get back to this problem)

[bikerphil]

Maybe the caliper piston is completely pushed in closing the chamber from passing the fluid from the bleeder to the line and up to the M/C. Try bleeding the conventional way and see what happens.

[DAVINCI]

i've always had success hanging the caliper above the level of the M/C, then conventional bleed. Gets all the air all the time. other methods, tried em all, are hit and miss

[DeanR]

Same thing happens with conventional bleed Phil, which led me to reverse bleed.

Pistons are where they should be, seals are in clean grooves, everything cleaned and should be good to go.

I'll try your hanging method Randy, which sounds more or less like a reverse bleed.

Sure seems like a blockage. But no clue how this might be happening. Fluid gets only so far (to the'Y') and stops. But only on the right side. Pretty weird. Left side fluid easily makes it the whole way, conventionally or reverse.

[motoman]

Is this issue pertaining to your XS11 or your STeed Dean? If the XS11, interesting situation...….if the ST, right front line is held in place with a retainer clamp on triple clamp and can get pinched, restricting fluid flow to right caliper, BTDT.

[bikerphil]

+1 on a line being restricted. Process of elimination now.

[DeanR]

Where might this restriction be happening? Fluid gets from both calipers up to the Y junction. Which implies both L and R lines are ok.
And it gets all the way to the M/C from the left caliper, which seems to imply that things are fine from the Y to the M/C.
I must be missing something!
Frustrating !!!

[bikerphil]

Well then, the restriction must be in the splitter.

[skids]

Sooo, you are sure there isn’t a clogged bleeder valve?

[bikerphil]

Another thought, make sure the side holes in the banjo bolts line up with the center of the lines.

[DeanR]

Well then, the restriction must be in the splitter.

I grabbed another splitter out of the parts box, looking darn near new. So I'll likely pull everything off except the m/c and reassemble.
Before doing that though, I'm not sure what you mean by this Phil:

Another thought, make sure the side holes in the banjo bolts line up with the center of the lines.

Sounds like something to check.

Also, is there a source for the washers? In my box of copper washers, they are either very slightly too wide to fit in the caliper recesses, or the ones that fit nicely there have a smaller hole.

[DeanR]

Looks like the problem might be the way I have the lines oriented in the splitter.
Anyone have a picture of the correct hook-up?

[Ranger_xs1100]

I couldn't get a picture because it is behind the fork cover, but Maybe this will help:

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/ya...aster-cylinder

[bikerphil]

What I was referring to was the holes may be blocked if different banjo bolt, washers, and lines were used. Different thicknesses of the banjo fittings may actually block those fluid holes. The fluid holes in the bolt should be in the center of the banjo fitting and not obstructed by a washer.

[Ranger_xs1100]

pictures

Here ya go Dean...

This would be the view if you were standing in front of the bike...also notice that the lower banjo bolt has 2 holes, ONE may be clogged, causing the problem you described.

And it uses 3 washers, one between the 2 lines and one on top and one on the bottom of the 2 lines.