Jump to content

Bleeding/fluid Replacement On Linked Brakes W/abs On 6Th Generation (The Ultimate Guide)


jay-d

Recommended Posts

Nice writeup, sure to be usefull as the procedure is rather involved and a pain in the rear compared to bleeding "regular" brakes. I would like to point out, however, that the FSM usually reccomends bolt replacement for a good reason. In this case it's probably not because there is anything wrong with the bolts, just that the new ones probably have some sort of threadlocker allready coating the threads. I personally like to put a dab of medium strength threadlocker on nearly all the fasteners on the bike, cause they vibrate and things come loose without warning. Might wanna add that to the re-assembly instructions, might not, just my opinion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer

Nice writeup, sure to be usefull as the procedure is rather involved and a pain in the rear compared to bleeding "regular" brakes. I would like to point out, however, that the FSM usually reccomends bolt replacement for a good reason. In this case it's probably not because there is anything wrong with the bolts, just that the new ones probably have some sort of threadlocker allready coating the threads. I personally like to put a dab of medium strength threadlocker on nearly all the fasteners on the bike, cause they vibrate and things come loose without warning. Might wanna add that to the re-assembly instructions, might not, just my opinion.

You're right! I actually did use medium strength lock tite when i assembled everything so i will update the original post when i get to my computer!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer

Sweet! Now as soon as I finish paying Uncle Sam I can put money on getting my SS brake lines. Thanks for the write up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...
Guest 6thGenBasketCase

Thank you, jay-d, I just followed your procedure exactly, and it worked out perfectly. I even used the blue brake fluid. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Recalcitrance

Thanks for the post. :fing02: Definitely a bookmark (if not Copy-Past for my garage booklet).

Just had my brakes and clutch bled two months ago for the first time on my '06.

I'll be sure to save this DYI for next time. :+1:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
  • Member Contributer

Jay, the photo in "G. Left Front Caliper, Inner/Centre Bleed Screw" shows actuating the SMC, but I think this line is done with the rear brake pedal - please confirm.

Also, for the record, I never remove the front left caliper for fluid replacement - I just manually actuate the SMC with the caliper in place. Works fine and you don't risk wearing out the mounting bolts or squeezing the pads together making reassembly difficult.

I'd also like to point out that with speedbleeders, when doing the SMC line, if you don't close the speedbleeder on PCV, the rear pedal will not force the SMC back out very effectively - most of the pressure seems to bypass the SMC and escape out the PCV speedbleeder. I figured this out too late after doing two bikes' fluid replacement. For that line you really are better off closing the valve between SMC squeezes. The problem is that the speedbleeders have sealant on the threads and don't like to turn easily and will get the sealant worn off quickly if you do close and open it so many times. I'm going to look into getting a fancy (expensive) Stahlbus bleeder for at least this one troublesome position - they're designed for maintenance free opening and closing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer

I bled my old 2004 plenty of times using a MityVac but now have an ABS model and am not sure how much the process differs. Tips on the same procedure, but using the standard bleed valves and a MityVac? Thanks for the GREAT write-up!

Edited by PorradaVFR
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think the procedure varies because of the ABS, there are no bleed valves @ the ABS module that I remember while doing mine. The book does not state any different procedure for ABS vs non ABS systems. Oh, and I bleed mine using the standard bleeder screws and a mityvac. My tips are:

follow the book to the letter

have lots of patience

have more brake fluid on hand than you think you need (two standard sized bottles should do the trick)

use some loctite on the fasteners when you torque them back down, Honda says replace, but it's really only because of the threadlocker that needs replaced

Happy wrenchin!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer

Jay, the photo in "G. Left Front Caliper, Inner/Centre Bleed Screw" shows actuating the SMC, but I think this line is done with the rear brake pedal - please confirm.

Hey, the picture looks like it's actuating the SMC but it's really not. This is the same line that fills the SMC so you can bleed the LPCV and the rear caliper centre bleed screw via the SMC.

Hope that clears that up :happy:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer

My God, how is your bike so absolutely, postively, spotlessly clean???

Are we looking at the same bike?! haha.. my bike isn't clean!!

I'm sure it's cleaner than most, I bought it with 5,500km on it so it was always stored, hardly ridden!

It's got almost 20,000km on it now but it needs a good taking apart and clean next spring for sure! :tour:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer

Well, maybe, but my neat freak side is jealous of the bike in the photos. Thanks for the great how to...

Can you do one for removing the front end? LOL...I'm kidding but not really. Getting ready to take apart my front end and send in forks to be upgraded. My first time doing it...ever, on any bike. I'm sure to bork it up somehow!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...
Guest apossibly89

Can I have somebody please give me a call? Followed the instructions to a T and still no luck... I'm Kawasaki and BMW certified as a motorcycle technician, and have had two other much more experienced motorcycle techs stumped as well. Soft lever and no pressure to rear brakes after several bleeds :( pleaseee! It's getting very expensive!

2002 VFR800A, has ABS

Thanks! Josh

518-291-0465

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer

As Metallican525 did in post #9, I just used a vacuum bleeder to change the fluid in my ABS rather than doing any pumping of the levers as the OP indicated - worked perfectly. If traditional methods of pumping the pedal or vacuum bleeding aren't working, what I would probably try next is to reverse bleed it by forcing fluid backwards through the system. Air rises in a fluid, so pushing fluid from the caliper back to the master cylinder displaces the air and forces it out. I don't have one of these, but have considered purchasing it.

http://www.brakebleeder.com/bleeding-brakes/how-it-works/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest apossibly89

Trust me, I've tried the reverse bleed with a syringe I had bought and some of the hose from my mity-vac. Good advice though, thank you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Trust me, I've tried the reverse bleed with a syringe I had bought and some of the hose from my mity-vac. Good advice though, thank you!

Is your VFR800 equipped with ABS? webbikeworld caution the possible damage to ABS modulators by using reverse bleeding method.Not sure if VFR800 ABS works the same way as BMW.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/eze-bleeder-review/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • Member Contributer

Huge thanks jay-d; yesterday I completed a full bleed of the whole system on my '08 ABS. Used conventional method and it worked a treat. Brakes feel nice & tight but will have to wait until the winds drop below 80mph before trying her out.

Excellent "How To". :beer:

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer

Huge thanks jay-d; yesterday I completed a full bleed of the whole system on my '08 ABS. Used conventional method and it worked a treat. Brakes feel nice & tight but will have to wait until the winds drop below 80mph before trying her out.

Excellent "How To". :beer:

How are you weathering the storms over there?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer

Huge thanks jay-d; yesterday I completed a full bleed of the whole system on my '08 ABS. Used conventional method and it worked a treat. Brakes feel nice & tight but will have to wait until the winds drop below 80mph before trying her out.

Excellent "How To". :beer:

How are you weathering the storms over there?

All done & dusted now thanks.

4 deaths however, mainly from fallen trees.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...
Guest txsandman

Well I have finally been riding the 1999 .... with front brakes only ... I went to bleed the back brake and holly cow I see no bleeder screw and a line running up unde the seat.

Now here I am - glad you all came to the rescue again -

thank you - I will let you know how easy / hard it is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer

Well I have finally been riding the 1999 .... with front brakes only ... I went to bleed the back brake and holly cow I see no bleeder screw and a line running up unde the seat.

Now here I am - glad you all came to the rescue again -

thank you - I will let you know how easy / hard it is.

Note that the 5 Gen system is slightly different than the 6 Gen (for which this how-to was written), but are similar enough that you can get the gist of it here. That being said, download the Honda Workshop manual from the download section here so that you have the 5 Gen procedure. There is one more front bleed point on the 5 Gen system not present on the 6 Gen.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest txsandman

Note that the 5 Gen system is slightly different than the 6 Gen (for which this how-to was written), but are similar enough that you can get the gist of it here. That being said, download the Honda Workshop manual from the download section here so that you have the 5 Gen procedure. There is one more front bleed point on the 5 Gen system not present on the 6 Gen.

nice --- thx for mentioning that!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.