

- Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird how to#
- Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird drivers#
- Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird update#
- Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird manual#
- Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird full#
So this was going to be a trifecta of motorcycle brake bleeding! It was dark also not quite as dark as the rear brake reservoir, but definitely in need of a flush. The Ducati GT1000 also has a hydraulic clutch, which also uses DOT 4 brake fluid. The front reservoir wasn’t as dark, but it was starting to turn yellow, which is the first sign of contamination.īrake fluid is perfectly clear and should look that way in the reservoir, so take a look at yours and see if it’s time for a flush. I learned the hard way, when a master cylinder became completely corroded due to the water that was in the dirty fluid.īelieve me, replacing a master cylinder or disk brake caliper is way, way more expensive and time consuming than simply flushing the brake fluid once a year.Īnd besides, it’s always nice to know that you have fresh fluid in the lines when you squeeze the brakes…
Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird manual#
I flush and refill the brake fluid in my cars about once per year and the same goes for the motorcycles.įlushing and Bleeding Motorcycle Brakes and Clutchįor some reason, brake fluid flushing is not addressed in any automobile owner’s manual I’ve ever seen, but it’s just as important for four wheels as it is for two.

Most of the time, I chalk it up to moisture in the air that quickly affects the very hygroscopic (easily absorbs moisture) DOT 4 brake fluid. I’m not sure why the fluid got so dirty so quickly. I opened the cap and sure enough, the brake fluid was way overdue for a flush and fill. The Ducati was only about 6 months old, but I noticed recently that the tiny rear brake fluid reservoir looked very dark, a sure sign of brake fluid that’s overdue for replacement.
Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird update#
So I figured that as long as I was going to flush and refill the brake and clutch fluid on the Ducati, I may as well update this article to see if we’ve learned anything new in the interim. In 2009, I noticed the brake fluid on our 2006 Ducati GT1000 was starting to look pretty swampy (see photos below). Our original article (below) describing the use of an Actron brake bleeder (below) is still valid, but that article was posted on webBikeWorld way background 2002. It’s been some time since we first wrote about motorcycle brake bleeding.
Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird how to#
It’s a bit tricky to use, but once you figure out how to get the hose to fit the bleed nipple, it works well. Let me know if you need anything else.The Actron brake bleeder is the best way to bleed motorcycle brakes that we have found so far. You don’t want to have the rod length too long because then it’s just prematurely pushing on the master cylinder piston. to get a good adjustment in the op rod position I myself used some grease or something like white lithium grease so when you set the master cylinder on it you can see inside the master cylinder when the rod is at the right length, and that it’s just touching. You don’t want it emptying out and sucking air back into it.įor the power booster. Remember during all of this to keep the master cylinder topped off. Close then pump back up again until all the air is out. pump the brake petal up until firm then open the bleeder. Otherwise you can suck air back into the system. Make absolutely sure the person in the car is working with you and that they DO NOT start pumping the petal until you close the bleeder. You open the bleeder screw and the fluid and bubbles come out. have the person pump the petal until firm then they hold it.
Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird drivers#
This makes it easier to see bubbles, and it doesn’t leave a mess.Īfter the passenger side go to the drivers rear wheel.

The kit is usually some length of tube and a cup to catch the fluid. Your local parts store will usually always have it. Then you open the bleeder screw and watch until no more air bubbles come out. Have someone sit in the car and pump the petal until firm. Then you can reinstall it.īleeding is done by starting on the back passenger wheel. You can tell that the air is out because the piston gets stiffer to push on. Repeat this process until all the air is pushed out of the master cylinder. There are actual tools, but a punch will work fine. DO NOT USE A SCREW DRIVER! You can gouge the inside of the master cylinder piston. After both ports are leaking fluid you close them up and get something with a round tip. First you fill it up then gravity bleed it.
Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird full#
Click to expand.Because you will not get the full length stroke while on the car.
