Front brake bleeding R1150GS

[Sprockett]

Fitted new muffs last night looking forward to next ride. I sat on the bike after fitting the muffs and the brake leaver travel was back to the handle bar.
I tried it serveral times (like an idiot) and then took the muff back off. The brake fuild was seeping from the joint by the resevoir. Double checked that it was leaking from there and tighten the joint. Unfortuneately by now no feel in the brake lever.
Is there a special way I need to bleed the brake?

Thanks in advance
Rob

 

[Steptoe]

Servo or normal brakes.

 

[Sprockett]

I believe its non servo. Sorry for my ignorance but how do you tell the difference?

 

[Packer]

Turn on the ignition but don't start the bike.

Pull the lever, do you hear a motor running, fairly high pitched whine?

Yes = Servo; No = non-servo (unless it so badly needs bleeding that it's not activating the servo in which case repeat with rear brake).

Also if the bike has ABS (perforated metal ring inside left front disc) it has servo on the 1150.

If it has a servo you need to bleed it under the tank where the servo is located.

 

[ciderman gs]

does it not depend on year for the servo mine (2001 abs 1150gs) does not have a servo

 

[Steptoe]

does it not depend on year for the servo mine (2001 abs 1150gs) does not have a servo

But there is no year stated

 

[Sprockett]

Thanks for the replies.
Registers early 2002 ABS. I've never heard a motor so its non-servo.

I was just wondering if there was anything special that I needed to do. Does it matter which side first? Any other pointers would also help?

 

[fatnfast]

Mine is also a 2002 ABS (non servo) bike, and I changed the fluid in my brakes last night (thanks Cookie for the tips).

I use a Mityvac bleeder as I find it less hassle, but you could use a piece of tube and jamjar I guess. I found you do get a lot of bubbles with the Mity, and have to make sure it keeps its pressure, but as long as the fluid is being 'sucked out' this is not a problem.

I started with the front brakes, left one first (sitting on the bike). Just keep the resevoir on the handlebars topped up and be aware of the potential for the fluid to spit back through the master cylinder if you are using the conventional bleeding method (cover the tank etc in plastic).

The rear brake is next.

Just have plenty of clean rags, and make sure the bleed nipples/reservoir caps are clean before you start.

If this does not work, ie you still have a spongy lever, air may be present in the ABS unit. Personally, I would then put my spanners down and let a dealer sort it, although there are some links and guidence on this and the ADV site on what to do.

Also, use DOT 4 fluid.

Good luck

 

[Sprockett]

Thanks
I'll try this at the weekend.
I'm off to the States next Monday so I won't be using it for a couple of weeks.

 

[tufty1909]

sure it keeps its pressure,

I think you'll find you mean vacuum.

Also if the bike has ABS (perforated metal ring inside left front disc) it has servo on the 1150.

servo after December 2002 whether ABS or not.

 

[fatnfast]

Vacuum: A space in which the pressure is significantly lower than atmosheric pressure.

 

[ianboydsnr]

I think you'll find you mean vacuum.



servo after December 2002 whether ABS or not.

Though all non Abs were without servo, my 2003 certainly does'nt have a servo

 

[Steptoe]

.



servo after December 2002 whether ABS or not.

Though all non Abs were without servo, my 2003 certainly does'nt have a servo

Ians correct - No ABS means No servo; No if's or buts.

 

[Womble]

Servos - twitchy 'orrible things. There's no way you'd want servo without ABS.

ABS without servo, now that's a good idea

 

[Steptoe]

Sprockett -if you've only lost fluid from the master cylinder/top banjo, don't bleed the whole system just yet. Try this first.

Open the master cylinder, fill with fluid.

With the lid still off, gently, very gently, pull the brakelever, look for lots of small air bubbles rising in the master cylinder. keep on pulling the lever and topping up with fluid, until the bubbles stop. Then move the bars to one side and pullthe lever, then to the other side and pull the lever. You should now have pressure at the lever. Give the lever some small fast pulls and youmay get a large bubble pop up from the return hole at the bottom of the reserviour (if not, nothing to worry about).

Job is now done without introducing/pushing air all through the system. With less mess and quicker than bleeding.

 

[Sprockett]

Thanks Steptoe - that worked !!!!

 

[Bronco Billy]

Yep ......... Just opened mine and it ran through on its own.... so to speak..

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Sprockett -if you've only lost fluid from the master cylinder/top banjo, don't bleed the whole system just yet. Try this first.

Open the master cylinder, fill with fluid.

With the lid still off, gently, very gently, pull the brakelever, look for lots of small air bubbles rising in the master cylinder. keep on pulling the lever and topping up with fluid, until the bubbles stop. Then move the bars to one side and pullthe lever, then to the other side and pull the lever. You should now have pressure at the lever. Give the lever some small fast pulls and youmay get a large bubble pop up from the return hole at the bottom of the reserviour (if not, nothing to worry about).

Job is now done without introducing/pushing air all through the system. With less mess and quicker than bleeding.

I have a similar issue. Don't want to start a new thread. I've normal ABS brakes too. i'm on a 99 r series. I was cleaning the calipers a little while back and one of the pistons popped out ... small amount of fluid came out. Then decided to take off caliper to give a good clean 'cos they were still sticking and turns out the seals in caliper (brembo) were dirty ...small amount of fluid came out of the banjo joint.

Then I slowely pumped brake lever twice or three times to test something Not sure what but. I'll try your suggestion tomorrow Steptoe but I'd like to know if this method is appropriate to my situation. I've a lad comming out to me in the next few days if it dosn't work out. My Q is does the resevoir at the front brake lever travel to the abs unit and then to the brakes? If so, will i need to bleed the whole system if i've pumped too much? How do I know if I've pumped too much? If the brakes don't engage even after bubbles have stopped rising? If in abs unit full system bleed? First time doing this

BTW, I've not switched on the bike since in case the abs unit then sucks the air into itself as its pump primes! I've read the ADV rider pdf and they look doable. I'd rather just get some brakes and get her to someone who is confident and experienced at this.

Sorry for the long long ramble. Hopefully someone has a bit of wisdom for me as I sit here for the next hour or so enjoying my and quite contentedly, I might add, reviewing posts of all your problems with bikes. As for me getting a GS, well I'm in the process. this site is fantastic for info ... get a pen a paper though!

 

[Stewart H]

Not wanting to spend money on a Mityvac I bled my brakes using a plastic syringe and a bit of plastic pipe, I also still have the tanner the midwife gave me
Stewart