bramfrank
BramFrank
I originally posted this on the COG web site back in 2004. It remains relevant and someone PMed me to ask how to do this, so I've edited it to reflect the reality of the Gen-II FJR and reposted it here.
Hope this helps:
The reservoir covers say to use DOT4 brake fluid. Use DOT4. If anyone says to use DOT5 wish them well, but ignore them.
Brake fluid is seriously hygroscopic - that means it absorbs water - so once you've opened a bottle of fluid, use what you need and discard any leftovers. Use only newly opened containers of brake fluid - I suppose that means that buying a few smaller bottles may be more cost-effective than buying the large economy size from the big box store.
When you open the reservoir cover you may notice that there are what appear to be jellylike 'floaties'. if you have any get hold of a syringe and suck them out before you begin to flush the lines.
PARTS:
Note: the front bleeder on the right caliper is the one linked to rear brake pedal.
Bleed in the following order:
For the front brakes: right, then left
For the rear brakes: rear, then front
Ideally, you should get the ABS kit (or fabricate one) and flush the actuator as well, but what the heck . . . I've never bothered.
PROCEDURE:
Hope this helps:
The reservoir covers say to use DOT4 brake fluid. Use DOT4. If anyone says to use DOT5 wish them well, but ignore them.
Brake fluid is seriously hygroscopic - that means it absorbs water - so once you've opened a bottle of fluid, use what you need and discard any leftovers. Use only newly opened containers of brake fluid - I suppose that means that buying a few smaller bottles may be more cost-effective than buying the large economy size from the big box store.
When you open the reservoir cover you may notice that there are what appear to be jellylike 'floaties'. if you have any get hold of a syringe and suck them out before you begin to flush the lines.
PARTS:
- Fresh DOT4 Brake Fluid
- Speedbleeders for the front brakes - SB8125L (x3)
- Speedbleeder for the rear brake - SB7100
- Speedbleeder for the clutch clutch - SB8125L
- Speedbleeder hose & bag set (optional - you can use a hose and a glass jar if you wish)
- Clean, lint-free rags
- Large plastic bag
Note: the front bleeder on the right caliper is the one linked to rear brake pedal.
Bleed in the following order:
For the front brakes: right, then left
For the rear brakes: rear, then front
Ideally, you should get the ABS kit (or fabricate one) and flush the actuator as well, but what the heck . . . I've never bothered.
PROCEDURE:
- Have a plastic hose, a glass jar (or preferably Speedbleeder's hose & bag system), some clean lint-free rags and a couple of large plastic bags on hand.
- Set the bike on it's center stand and set the bars so that the reservoir is level before opening anything up.
- Because the fluid is corrosive, put the plastic bag so that it covers the gas tank to catch any leakage when doing the clutch and brake systems in case you get sloppy.
- Open the appropriate reservoir cover, carefully remove the covers and seals.
- CLEAN THE SEAL AND COVERS WITH A CLEAN, DRY LINT-FREE RAG and set them aside.
- Loosen the bleeder in question - fluid will leak, but not stream. If you are installing the Speedbleeder just unscrew and remove the old bleeder and then screw in one of the new ones. Clean up any seepage with the rag.
- Snug the Speedbleeder down using an 8 mm box end wrench..
- Push a hose on the bleeder (if you got the bag kit -and I find it helps keep the mess to zero - connect it to the bag). If you didn't get the bag, then stick the free end of the hose into the glass jar.
- Pump the control fully SLOWLY, then release SLOWLY. If the bleeder is snugged properly, fluid should flow easily through the hose without leaking from the threads - if it leaks, tighten the bleeder up a smidgen. If it does nothing, loosen it a smidgen. Then try it again.
- With each pump check the fluid level in the reservoir and add DOT4 fluid as needed to keep the reservoir from going dry - you don't want to pump air into the line.
- Repeat steps #9 & #10 until only clear, pale fluid is running through the drain hose.
- Tighten the bleeder 1/4 turn - press the control to ensure that it is closed tightly and doesn't leak at all. If not, tighten it another 1/8 turn. Do not over-tighten
- Clean up any spills or messes.
- Take THE ORIGINAL bleeder cap and put that one on the new bleeder - it has a retaining ring - the one that Speedbleeder provided does not.
- If you are bleeding the brakes and this was the first caliper of the pair do the other caliper, starting with step #6.
- Ensure that you have enough (BUT NOT TOO MUCH) DOT4 fluid in the reservoir. There are indicating lines - use the lower one by the viewing window as your guide - it is full when the fluid is level with the horizontal casting line inside the front reservoirs - there are indicator marks on the rear reservoir. The reservoir should be level when measuring.
- Install the cleaned seal, then the nylon cover and then the aluminum one. Install and tighten the screws. Clean up any seepage around the edges of the actuator assembly.
- If you have another subsystem to bleed, move on by going back to step #4.
- Dispose of the old fluid AND ANY LEFTOVER FLUID in accordance with local bylaws.
