1985 VT500C - Brake bleeding troubles

[ixne]

Hey all,

I recently was replacing my front brake pads and decided to clean the caliper pistons and switch out the brake fluid while I was at it. Unfortunately, I'm now having a hell of a time bleeding the system. I thought that maybe there was a reverse trap near the master cylinder, but upon removing the banjo bolt at the master cylinder I noticed that nothing is coming through at all, i.e. I can remove the entire banjo bolt with a topped-up master cylinder and no fluid moves. If I depress the brake pedal, I can see fluid moving in the bore of the master cylinder, but not enough to come out.

Any ideas? It seems strange that the master cylinder would be messed up when it was working fine before and I haven't touched it besides draining the fluid.

Thanks in advance for any help...

[JN]

Fill it up the front brake master cylinder completely open the nipple at the bottom and use a straw to suck it threw. (Caution don't get any in your mouth) After you have it in the line refill the Cylinder. Begin to bleed each section of the line. Start at the first connection on the Master Cylinder then continue to the next one on the brake caliber. Then the nipple, pump the brake each time in between bleeds to push the air. Pretty simple just do not get any in your mouth or on your paint. Be sure to put a towel over your tank and fender! Good luck ride safe! P.S. if you get any on your paint run for the hose wash it off and you should be ok. Just don’t let it sit or it will eat away at it.

[SHADOW 1100T]

I've used a long piece of clear neoprene hose long enough to allow me to stand up, suck on it and work the cylinder and keep the master full, after you get pressure cover everything and put pressure on the lever and just barely crack the banjo nut this is famous for trapping air.

[Gonzo]

Go ahead and get you a brake bleeder like the Mighty Vac. You'll use it on cars and bikes. You have to have suction on these calipers to get a bit of trapped air out. Force through doesn't clear it.

Gonz

[SHADOW 1100T]

I have a Mity-Vac and I'm not impressed at all when it's used for bleeding brakes, it will move the fluid but the seal at the nipple isn't good enough to stop air from being sucked in so it's impossible to tell when the brake is free of air, I just use speed bleeders, there fool proof,,,,they gotta be cause they work for me