BLEEDING RESERVOIRS

Hints for bleeding handlebar mounted reservoir hydraulic systems

By Brian Curry

From: Brian Curry <bmwbrian@voicenet.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 00:59:19

When you are bleeding your front brakes put the bike on the side stand and swing the handlebars fully to the left. This makes the master cylinder to the brake fluid reservoir port, and the reservoir the high point of the system. So, any air bubbles in the hoses to the calipers or the ABS modulators will migrate to that high point (gravity and density difference is a good thing.) and out of the system. :):) (You may have to rotate the grip a bit to keep the reservoir horizontal in one plane.)

Joe Katz (retired wrench) brought this up at the K Tech Session at RA in MA, but it is applicable to any bike with a handlebar mounted brake fluid reservoir. So, pay attention R and R11 people. While it is obvious once you hear it, I had never done it. But I will in the future. :):) Anything that makes working on brakes easier is a good thing.

In the case of a hydraulic clutch, (K12RS, and R11S) I would put the bike on the center stand, and turn the handlebars to the right to elevate the reservoir. (Same principle.)

Thank you Joe Katz!!!

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Last Update: Monday, September 18, 2005