Brake bleeding

[Strangler]

Gonna bleed the brakes on the bike. Anyone know the wrench size to the bleed valve and what is the recommended brake fluid? Still learning my Dog preferences. Thanks for any info.

 

[Rottweiler]

DOT 5 only take your time. Not sure what size off my head 5/16 maybe?

 

[Strangler]

DOT 5 only take your time. Not sure what size off my head 5/16 maybe?

Yeah the smallest I had was a 7mm but even that was too large. Guess I'm going to have to buy a whole small set just to ensure I get the correct size. Thank you bro. That was a fine feeling, pulling in the brake lever and not immediately stopping...haha.

 

[mleach72]

I believe it's 1/4".

 

[Mickmorris]

Actually I believe it is 3/8” on the bleeders. Definitely DOT 5 fluid only. They sell a hand pump at harbor freight that makes the bleeding process much easier.

 

[knothead]

3/8" wrench...dot 5 fluid only....not dot 5.1

 

[mleach72]

They must have changed the size at some point. I'm pretty sure mine is 1/4". I'm not positive, because I'm not home. I'll check when I get home. His must be the same. He says 7mm is too big. 7mm is .275".

 

[TreeGuru]

Gonna bleed the brakes on the bike. Anyone know the wrench size to the bleed valve and what is the recommended brake fluid? Still learning my Dog preferences. Thanks for any info.

I think 1/4" on front and 3/8" on back for my bike 06 Pit

 

[mleach72]

I think 1/4" on front and 3/8" on back for my bike 06 Pit

I'm thinking that is correct.

 

[Mr. Wright]

Why are you breaking open the bleater valve on the front caliper anyway. The front brake will bleed itself by slowly pulling in on the handle and watching the air bubbles come up to the reservoir. Only takes a couple minutes and it's bled out

 

[Olde Man]

What worked for me was to do as Mr Wright suggests then put the cap back on and turn the handlebars so that the master cylinder is the highest point in the system. Pump up the brakes and then put a couple of rubberbands, surgical tubing or wraps of electrical tape around the brake lever to hold it in the pumped up condition. Leave it that way overnight. The small air bubbles that you compressed will move to the top of the brake hose to be moved into the master cylinder when you slowly release the brake lever. Easy Peasy and does a great job.

 

[Strangler]

I believe it's 1/4".

It was, I found one, thx.

 

[Strangler]

3/8" wrench...dot 5 fluid only....not dot 5.1

Mine ended up being a 1/4". Almost bought 5.1 because that's all that AutoZone had. Chose to go to the nearest Harley shop and even they didn't know the difference. Ended up getting the regular DOT 5 after all.

 

[Strangler]

Why are you breaking open the bleater valve on the front caliper anyway. The front brake will bleed itself by slowly pulling in on the handle and watching the air bubbles come up to the reservoir. Only takes a couple minutes and it's bled out

I actually bled it (Twice) and it seemed to work while in the driveway but then I took it out to test and I had no front brake pressure at all, had to use the rear brake to stop, but then when I arrived home and stopped, the pressure had returned. There are no leaks in the line that (or leak spots in the driveway) I can find so I don't know what the issue can be. My mechanic neighbor couldn't figure it out either. Anyone else have an issue like this?

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

Mine ended up being a 1/4". Almost bought 5.1 because that's all that AutoZone had. Chose to go to the nearest Harley shop and even they didn't know the difference. Ended up getting the regular DOT 5 after all.

5.1 is compatable with dot 3 and 4 but not 5
Can't mix DOT 5 with any other brake fluid that I am aware of.
Once you start with a level of DOT fluid 5 / 4 etc, you really need to make sure you stick to it and compatable fluids things go bad if you dont

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

I actually bled it (Twice) and it seemed to work while in the driveway but then I took it out to test and I had no front brake pressure at all, had to use the rear brake to stop, but then when I arrived home and stopped, the pressure had returned. There are no leaks in the line that (or leak spots in the driveway) I can find so I don't know what the issue can be. My mechanic neighbor couldn't figure it out either. Anyone else have an issue like this?

Double check the resovoir and make sure its FULL.
I have had times where with the angle the resovoir is on the handlebars where with low fluid a slight turn in the handle bars and it would suck air not fluid from the resovoir.

 

[Rottweiler]

Refer to post 10 & 11
Or you can just work the lever until there is no more bubbles.

 

[Mr. Wright]

I actually bled it (Twice) and it seemed to work while in the driveway but then I took it out to test and I had no front brake pressure at all, had to use the rear brake to stop, but then when I arrived home and stopped, the pressure had returned. There are no leaks in the line that (or leak spots in the driveway) I can find so I don't know what the issue can be. My mechanic neighbor couldn't figure it out either. Anyone else have an issue like this?

More than likely it just had an air bubble in there. It is possible that you have an early 05, And A left over 04 reservoir was used on it. On the 04's, the hole was drilled in the wrong place, And when it's sitting on the kickstand with the handlebars turned to the left, It will suck air if you squeeze the handle with it turn like that. When my 04 does that, I just squeezed the handle a few times and pressure comes back. As long as the reservoir is completely full it verily rarely does that

 

[Strangler]

Well, that would explain some. I'm a month into Big Dog ownership and still trying to figure it all out. Thanks to you and all the other helpful hints.

 

[Mr. Wright]

Well, that would explain some. I'm a month into Big Dog ownership and still trying to figure it all out. Thanks to you and all the other helpful hints.

I'm a BD repair shop, and still have to get on here and ask questions now and then.