bleeding brakes

[fjbiker84]

I think it's possible that sitting for hours and having air bubbles clear out of the line and back into the reservoir may be what's happening rather than keeping the brake lever held against the handlebar.  I think bleeding the brakes is probably as much an art as it is anything else and sometimes superstitions creep into the process.  As an avid golfer, I know all about how things like that can get into your thought process.

[ribbert]

I think it's possible that sitting for hours and having air bubbles clear out of the line and back into the reservoir may be what's happening rather than keeping the brake lever held against the handlebar.  I think bleeding the brakes is probably as much an art as it is anything else and sometimes superstitions creep into the process.  As an avid golfer, I know all about how things like that can get into your thought process.

Yep, that pretty much sums it up.

don't care what anybody says    bleeding hydraulics on a bike is a bleeding nightmare always has always will and no one has come up with a believable explanation why. Some folks might get lucky but generally its a bloody ordeal!
  I quake in my boots and cry whenever it has to be done hate it

As simple as the theory of bleeding is, don't underestimate experience in successfully executing it. Our bikes are easy as the lines are short, all uphill and both ends can be reached by the operator at the same time.

Most FJ's have the same brakes yet people swear by a dozen different ways to bleed them.

Successful bleeding is as much about feel as it is technique, and that is difficult to describe so my advice would be, if you have difficulty manually bleeding them, invest in a power bleeder or at the very least, speed bleeders, it shouldn't be that big a deal.

IMO

Noel

[red]

don't care what anybody says    bleeding hydraulics on a bike is a bleeding nightmare always has always will and no one has come up with a believable explanation why. Some folks might get lucky but generally its a bloody ordeal! I quake in my boots and cry whenever it has to be done hate it

Chiz,

No need for tears.     Get a set of SpeedBleeders for the front, rear, and clutch.  The SpeedBleeders company should know what sizes you need, but they are happy to work with you if you get the wrong size at first.  When the day comes, start at the caliper furthest from the MC.  Loosen the SpeedBleeder maybe half a turn, and use the brake lever to pump fresh brake fluid through the system.  Do not let the MC run dry; keep it full as you work the lever.  Move the lever deliberately, not rapidly.  When you see clean fluid coming out of the SpeedBleeder, just wrench it tight again.  Do the same with the other caliper.  Install the MC cap for the night (brake fluid will absorb water from the air, which is dangerous).  Cap the brake fluid container.  Tie the brake lever to the grip with bungee cord for the night.  In the morning, keep the MC full, work the brake lever deliberately again, and install the cap.  That should be all you need to do.  Repeat the same process for the rear brake and clutch fluids.

Cheers,
Red

[fjtrevor]

you can get banjo bolts with bleed nipple atached,ideal for getting rid of any air at the highest point.i had trouble bleeding clutch so i fittted one of these.worked for me.maybe this would be solution

[red]

you can get banjo bolts with bleed nipple atached,ideal for getting rid of any air at the highest point.i had trouble bleeding clutch so i fittted one of these.worked for me.maybe this would be solution

fjtrevor,

That could be just the ticket, for the top of the clutch and brake lines, at the Master cylinder. 
Not everybody sells them, I guess, but they are available.  Excellent info!  Thanks.

Cheers,
Red