I wanted to add fluid and bleed the rear brake on my '04 custom sportster and now no pressure?

Question

I have used a plastic suringe to force fluid though all the lines, pump and caliper. The master cylinder seems to have pump and suckion because I removed both lines and placed my fingers over the holes, them pumped brake. Plz help!

Answer 1

You could also try clear plastic neoprene hose from you bleeder tit back to your reservoir. Using clear lets you see when you've cleared the air bubbles. The important thing, obviously, is to clear all the air from the lines. If you run a hose to a source of brake fluid once the air is clear it can only suck brake fluid back through the hose. Also I'm betting you should be using DOT 5 brake fluid. DOT 3 used on earlier Harley's and DOT 5 don't mix.

Answer 2

You have to bleed the lines. You have air in there somewhere. Start by using the bleeders first and if that doesn't work bleed the lines starting at the reservoir and working toward the brake caliper. Make sure you have plenty of brake fluid on hand.
Pump the brake pedal until you feel as much pressure as you feel it's going to give you, hold down the brake pedal, open the bleeder, let it spit out the air and fluid and close it quickly, repeat until no more air comes out and all you are getting is fluid. Your brake pedal should gradually feel more pressure as more air is removed. Each time you open the bleeder the brake pedal should fall a Little more each time because you have pressure on it and hydraulic pressure is building more and more as more air escapes. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

bleeding brake lines is easy if you do two things....First, buy at least 2 quarts (or more) of brake fluid. Second, pour a half quart or so in a clear glass jar. Secure an adequate section of hose to the bleeder valve so that it is submerged in the fluid in the jar. Gently apply pressure the the brakes until no more bubbles are coming from the tube in the jar. Tighten the bleeder valve without removing the tube from the jar...no more air in the lines! Be sure to keep the reservoir full during this process. It make take several full jars to completely remove all air from the line.....or just a few pumps.

I have been through alot (2 engines because of the NOS) with my custom 90 FXR dragster, but I wouldn't trade her for the world!

Good Luck.

Answer 4

After trying everything that everyone is going to tell you, try this:
Bleed till you can't bleed no more LOL
Tighten the lines and bleeder valve.
Remove the master cylinder cover.
Gently keep taping the brake pedal.
Just enough to get the master cylinder piston to move a bit.
Watch for air bubbles to come into the master cylinder reservoir.
Keep doing until the bubbles stop, then bleed regularly.
Careful - pumping the brake pedal with the MC cover off will shoot brake fluid up in the air and on your bike (that's why you tap gently).
Cover everything.

Answer 5

some issues it must be make constructive u substitute the grasp cylinder and proportioning valve and if the hoses to the rear axle are old substitute them from time to time the old fluid will seal the hoses thoroughly allowing not something by using there can be dirt interior the steel brake lines and could want blown out with compressed air,

Answer 6

Sounds like you sucked some air into the system, take it to a mechanic and let a professional bleed your brakes. If it's only the rear you should be safe only using the front brake for a single trip to the dealer but don't ride it more then that. The life you save may be your own.....

Answer 7

did ya use dot 4 brake fluid? you gotta have an air bubble in there somewhere. If it worked before ya did something, then whatever ya did has to be the problem.

Answer 8

get someone to show how to bleed brake lines