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Having trouble bleeding front brake...

  • Thread starter Thread starter isu2014
  • Start date Start date
I

isu2014

Guest
I replaced the master cylinder on my GS550 because the old one was clogged from nasty fluid. The front brake worked fine before, just wasn't able to pump fluid. I fully drained the lines and primed and bled with new fluid until no bubbles.

1. The first time I bled it, the brake handle was extremely firm and I couldn't pull the handle more than about half an inch. I re-bled it again.

2. The second bleed was better. The brake handle pulled nicely and the brake worked well. I rode it and used the brake several times and it started firming up until it's like 1. Re-bled it.

3. The third bleed I could't get it to soften at all. It's just like 1. The handle can only be pulled a short bit and it's extremely firm. The brake doesn't work very well either. This is where I'm at now. I don't know what to do next.
 
Maybe the piston on the caliper is not going back into caliper as far as it should. Did you clean the the calipers out, if not there maybe rust or cud inside. Is the master new one or used, if used may need to rebuild. Just some thoughts. terrylee
 
i am not sure why you kept rebleeding? if you had a firm lever after the 1st bleed that is what you are looking for. you do not want the lever to feel soft and spongy.

as for the brake performance, are they new pads that need bedding in, or is it 30 year old rubber hoses that are flexing when you apply pressure?

also, how could the brake work fine before if the M/C wasn't pumping fluid?
 
You have crud in the lines or the calipers are plugged up. Take the calipers apart and clean them out real well and inspect the rubber parts, you should probably get rebuild kits from Suzuki. Also are you still using the original brake hoses? if so replace them. They are 35 years old and are deteriorating. Suzuki recommended replacing them every 2 years. Also the master was it a brand new one or a used replacement.If it is a used one you may want to rebuild it as well. If your original master had crude in it and would not pump fluid , your entire system is the same way.:( Brakes [ In my eye's ] are not something you want to only half do. They are the single most important part on a motorcycle. ;)
 
From your description I would guess your problem to be in one or both calipers. Could be as siimple as wire wheeling the slide pins, up to a rebuild, but maybe that wouldn't be a bad idea anyway. Then you're good for another 20-30 years. Rebuilds are easy, more cleaning than anything, and don't nick up the cylinder or new seal.
 
I ordered a new caliper and lines. I tried cleaning the old one, but there's still something wrong somewhere. I'll start fresh.
 
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