Brake Bleeding Question?

Mittzy said:

I used a pneumatic vacuum bleeder on my ABS Roadster no problems no dealer tool.

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That's my plan next time I exchange brake fluid.

For anyone interested , this is a drawing of a brake bleed tool I made up .
It is constructed of either a glass jar or plastic pot with a sealing screw on lid ! The container wants to hold between a half to one litre . Obtain some 3 sixteenth , or thereabouts brass tubing , you can get this from most diy stores or model shops . Around 1 foot in length . Drill 2 holes in the jar lid enabling a snug fit with the brass tube and cut one length so it sits around half an inch from the bottom of the jar and protrudes a couple inches thru the lid . Trim the second piece of brass tubing so that it also protudes an inch or so thru the lid and sits roughly half way into the container . Glue both tubes in place using either JB weld or Epoxy resin . Attach a clear plastic tube to the longer of the 2 brass tubes , the plastic tube should be of a diameter that it fits snugly to the bleed nipple on your brake caliper . Pour a quantity of clean brake fluid into the container , making sure it covers the bottom of the brass tube by around half an inch and screw the lid firmly back onto the container . Remove your master cylinder / reservoir cap and attach the clear tube to the brake nipple . Crack the brake bleed nipple around quarter to half a turn , just enough to keep a bit of resistance to the flowing brake fluid and pump the brake lever remembering to keep the fluid topped up in the reservoir . Keep pumping the lever until no more air is visible coming out the nipple into the clear tube . Tighten the nipple , check the fluid level in the reservoir and then replace the reservoir cap . Remove the clear plastic tube from the nipple and pump the brake until the feel returns . Job done ! This works awesome , try it ! As the container gets full , unscrew the lid and pour the fluid into your used oil pot making sure you always keep enough fluid in the container to cover the bottom of the brass tube . When not in use connect the nipple end of the clear tube to the shorter brass tube . This keeps the whole thing sealed until your next use .

I use a mason jar with the same set up.

I installed check valve speed bleeders and use a mightyvac bleeder hand pump to change the fluid. Then when all done put a tywrap around the brake lever to the handle bar and leave it on over night.

Another tip when bleeding the brakes is to push the pistons back into the caliper by prysing the pads away from the rotor, and using a pice of wood or a screwdriver keep the pads pushed back into the caliper during the bleeding operation, I find this a good way to remove any trapped air bubbles and it makes the lever firmer when your done.Just remember to pump the pads back against the rotor before you drive!