Squishy front brake lever- not air.

[chuck hahn]

I take it that you were doing the "wiggle the brake lever oh so slightly" trick to expell air out the return hole. Often that does do wonders to get the master reprimed, but like you said, that one bubble wouldnt come out.

Another trick that will SOMETIMES (empasis on sometimes) work is to mighty vac them and then press back on the caliper pistons as hard as you can with a big heavy duty flat tip. Pry between the rotor and the pad. The fluid being squeezed back into the master via the return hole will "sometimes" flush that last bubble out.

[Wayne]

I'm reluctant to do the seal relief just yet. I like to be really methodical and step by step. When I know that I have a definite problem with the hoses, I'd like to replace those first and see the effect (they're on the way). And I'll admit a tad lazy, not keen to pull the pistons again if I don't have to but will if the hoses don't fix it completely.

I sometimes ride with half a dozen bikes of the same make, model and year. All the brakes (legally) work, but they're not all the same effectiveness. Why ? Pad material, fluid choice, hose age (even if they are all within 2 years old) and perhaps other things as well. I don't go with the black and white of them either working or not but appreciate the sentiment. Thanks.

Nevertheless, all the suggestions are in the mental "archives" for this and many more future rebuilds. Much appreciated and very useful. A great help.