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basic brake bleeding questions - speed bleeders

wannabe

wannabe

"Insignificant Other"
Joined
Aug 4, 2002
Location
San Jose, CA
Moto(s)
yes
Name
Aris
BARF perks
2006 Barfie
I tried to do a search, but I came up empty. Sorry if these questions have been asked and answered a bunch of times already.

I'm going to be replacing the bleeder nipples on my bike with speed bleeders. I'm trying to make sure that my understanding is correct on how to use them. I know that they have a one-way check valve that doesn't let air go back into the system. My question is related to the bleeding process.

Before the speed bleeders, the process with the regular bleeder valves was something like:

1. Put hose on bleeder valve
2. Pull brake lever
3. loosen bleeder valve about 1/4 turn and let stuff squirt out
4. Tighten bleeder valve
5. Let go of brake lever

Do the speed bleeders allow me to skip a few steps? In other words, once I put the speed bleeders on, will I be able to do this?

1. Put hose on bleeder valve
2. Open bleeder valve about 1/4 turn
3. Start pumping brake lever as much as you want to get the fluid out while making sure to keep the fluid in the reservoir topped off

I do know that there is a chance that air might still get past the edges of the bleeder valve, but assuming that doesn't happen, can I just crack open the speed bleeder valve and pump away on the brake lever?
 
That is exactly how they work and they work well.
 
Just be sure to keep an eye on the master cylinder fluid level. If you pump it empty, you get to start over, and pumping through like that uses a lot of fluid from the small master cylinder reservoirj. I use that method, but use a piece of clear tubing lifted above the bleeder. First I do the pump and close until I have a head of fluid in the tube above the bleeder. Then you can open and pump just like using the speed bleeders.
 
bobl said:
Just be sure to keep an eye on the master cylinder fluid level. If you pump it empty, you get to start over, and pumping through like that uses a lot of fluid from the small master cylinder reservoirj. I use that method, but use a piece of clear tubing lifted above the bleeder. First I do the pump and close until I have a head of fluid in the tube above the bleeder. Then you can open and pump just like using the speed bleeders.
Click to expand...


Very nice. I’m a little slow. I didn’t think about setting up a head of fluid above the bleeder valve.
 
The speed bleeders have a thread sealant so air/fluid won't get by the threads. They work great, I put them on my bikes. Really they are most useful on a car though, where you can't easily reach the caliper and lever at the same time.
 
Yep they're super easy to use I don't think you really need them on a motorcycle everything is easy to get to. On a car you kinda need a helper unless you use something like the Harbor Freight Tools brake bleeder.
 
I use one of these, but you'll need an air compressor. Sucks old fluid out in a blink so it's wise to keep an eye on that reservoir. :eboy

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