Speedbleeders

[Guest]

Hi there,

I haven't heard any talk of speedbleeders on this forum, so I thought I'd mention them just in case some folks didn't know about them. Essentially they're replacement brake bleeding screws, that have a spring loaded ball bearing inside that opens and shuts the valve when pressure is applied. They're well made, I've had them on several bikes over the years and they make brake bleeding and clutch bleeding (if you have a hydraulic clutch) a breeze.

Essentially, you crack open the speedbleeeder about 1/4 to a 1/2 turn with a bleed hose attached, and pump away with the brake lever. There's no need to pump, open the screw, squeeze out the fluid and retighten the screw every time, as the spring loaded ball bearing inside takes care of all that. You just pump away at the brake lever until you're happy there's no more air in the system, or all of your old fluid has been replaced. Very quick and easy to use, and very quick and easy to install as they're a direct replacement for your original bleeder screw. They sell them in many sizes and you can either buy direct from them or I know Z1 Enterprises sells them too. I bought the set for my 1979 GS850 from Z1 as i was ordering other brake parts at the same time.

http://www.speedbleeder.com/

Thanks

[Steve]

What model/part number did you use?

I looked at the speedbleeders site and saw that no GSes were mentioned.

Their model numbers are apparently the thread size, appended by an S or an L,
presumably for 'short' or 'long'. Which ones did you get?

.

[mikerophone]

Subscribed.

[BanditRE]

According to the Z1 site, GRSB7100 fit both front and rear on my 1979 850. Seems to fit most GS bikes according to their website.

[Steve]

Thanks for the info. Will likely include a few of those on my next order from Z1.

I don't have my bike in front of me here at work, so will ask you ... did you get the standard ones or the long ones?
This is probably very obvious when looking at the bike, but it's not here.

.

[BanditRE]

These things are pretty cool, I'm surprised no one has said anything prior to this. I've been using them for years.

In short, Steve, I don't know if they're the long or short ones, I just ordered the 7mm ones list on Z1. I can say though, that the ones I got are just barely long enough. By the time they're tightened up and have seated in the caliper, the bleed nipple is just above the caliper housing. So I think, if you got the long ones, you'd have more room to spare, assuming I have the standard length or "short" ones. If I have the long ones already, then the short ones won't work. I guess in summary, I'd buy the long ones if I had to do it again.

[Steve]

Thank you.

.

[BanditRE]

Steve,

Here's a picture of the installed speedbleeder from Z1. You can see the nut is just above the caliper body when fully seated and tightened. Definitely couldn't be any shorter than this.

[mikerophone]

That is pretty short, but as long as it works, shouldn't be an issue right?

Both my 750 and 850 have about 1/4" of threads showing. Wonder if the "long" ones are similar...

[BanditRE]

You're right. It is long enough, just barely. I was a little concerned as I was tightening it down, but eventually it seated with a thread or two to spare. Good enough!

[MtnManCA]

Hello, I realize this is an old thread.

As I wasn’t able to find the information for my bike (1982 GS1100GK) online, I am asking if anyone knows which type (length, diameter, thread pitch) is the right one for my bike.