Bleeding brakes solo

Energy One
Tall Mike

Tall Mike

Active Member
My DM Custom Machine Works 5 inch extensions are on, what a quality piece they are...If anyone is looking for extensions I highly recommend these.. :2thumbs:

Now seeing I have truck driver hours, which are for the most part opposite of what normal people work, I'll be bleeding my rear brakes by myself..


Anybody have any tips/tricks for bleeding brakes solo on a bike as long as a K9 ?? :confused: :confused:

My wingspan is long but not quite long enough to reach from front to back..
 
S

Sven

Well-Known Member
Go to Youtube and in the search bar, type "Bleed Brakes Charlie Style."

Anyone comes back with a mightyvac or a titty milk sucking tool, they are not well versed in bleeding brakes on the fly.
 
HMAN

HMAN

I just like my Freedom
Supporting Member
Sven said:
Anyone comes back with a mightyvac or a titty milk sucking tool, they are not well versed in bleeding brakes on the fly.
Click to expand...
Maybe so, but the Mityvac I picked up at Harbor freight did the job handly. Alone in the shop you have to do whatever works. Jmo.
 
Tall Mike

Tall Mike

Active Member
Thanks gents..

When I get back I'll try to rig something up so as to force the brake fluid in from the bleeder valve...The that seems to be my best option it looks.
 
JeffM

JeffM

Active Member
Curtis is correct, and that item he linked is perfect.

Option 2
I have just done mine by myself and i am only 5'9".
I used a piece of tub from the bleed screw into a plastic bottle i zip tied to the frame.
Just lent over the seat and very gently pushed the pedal down with my foot, held it down then released the bleed screw. Tightened it up, released the pedal, topped up the resivor and repeat till firm.
Don't forget to put rags under the master and slave cylinder before you do anything.
 
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S

Sven

Well-Known Member
~Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication~

Leonardo da Vinci
Click to expand...
I bring my fingers to the brake bleed systems.
I open and close once, not tear up the sealing points over and over.
I bleed the master with a finger over the hole and bench bleed it on the bike.
I bring a finger over the pit wall.
I see we lose time setting up the tittyanker tool.
I immediately begin pumping pedal and you are going to pump the same, but here you are tick-tock look at the clock.

JMO about things being simple. Plus, I'm having a seen your moment trying to think where I read that?

I'd sit at the caliper and push the brake pedal with the shop/garage broom we have a short reach. You open that nipple, that broom goes flying. It does not take much opening once you filled the line finger style. Now banjo up, open nipple and push the pedal. Too simple, right?
 
Th3InfamousI

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
over thinking this...

I squeeze the handle multiple times tie a rag tight around the grip and the lever...walk slowly to the other side of the bike take a sip of beer and then open up the bleeder screw. Tighten bleeder screw and repeat. Don't forget the beer on the way back to the lever!

I've tried the reverse bleeder syringe thing and it worked once and I fought with it the second time.

Update:

just noticed this is your rear brake...I've always had a long enough wingspan to do the rear but I imagine you can tie a rag or shirt just the same.
 
Tall Mike

Tall Mike

Active Member
I've decided I don't need rear brakes....



J/K

Thanks for all the help as soon as I get home from this week's big rig adventure I'm on it..
 
Tall Mike

Tall Mike

Active Member
Got them done but they aren't holding pressure, not finding any brake fluid on the floor, but the system is getting air from somewhere I'd guess.....damn it :bang:


Luckily its looking like rain today so I won't miss any ride time (on my last day off ) because of this.. :job:
 
HMAN

HMAN

I just like my Freedom
Supporting Member
Long Haul said:
Got them done but they aren't holding pressure, not finding any brake fluid on the floor, but the system is getting air from somewhere I'd guess.....damn it :bang:


Luckily its looking like rain today so I won't miss any ride time (on my last day off ) because of this.. :job:
Click to expand...

You still have sum air in there....lots of naysayers, but the Mityvac works great to purge all the air. Jmho.
 
Tall Mike

Tall Mike

Active Member
I changed out the crush washers *again* and did just a conventional bleed by pumping the pedal and cracking open the bleeder......So far the pedal is holding firm lets hope I got it this time.. :)

My brother dropped off a NIB Mityvac as I was finishing up so thats next or maybe I'll make the short ride across town and see if Andrew can help.. :2thumbs:

Front res was so low it was just about sucking air so that explains the shitty feel in the front brakes...Front bleeder is chewed up bad and looks like JB Weld was used to seal it up by some numb nut... :bang:



the joys of buying used.. :rolleyes:



Thanks again for the help gents, this site was one of the main reasons I went Big Dog instead of American Iron Horse.. :cheers:
 
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