Posts: 846
Threads: 21
Likes Received: 138 in 58 posts
Likes Given: 285
Joined: Apr 2025
I read all of your opinions and suggestions with interest. SportsterDoc - at the rear brake failure, I could not smell anything like the brake pads were hot. I had to ride a few miles to find a safe place to easily pull over. By the time I inspected the brakes, all parts were cool. The rotor color looks normal like the front rotors.
That bring me popgun’s suggestion to flush the hydraulics. I think this is definitely worth the effort, needs to be done anyway. Like Townie, I used the same simple technique to bleed the brake lines on automobiles. I assume I can do the same on the CB, both brake lines and clutch.
Posts: 1,286
Threads: 33
Likes Received: 40 in 20 posts
Likes Given: 6
Joined: Oct 2017
(07-18-2018, 01:15 PM)suhawk305_imp Wrote: I read all of your opinions and suggestions with interest. SportsterDoc - at the rear brake failure, I could not smell anything like the brake pads were hot. I had to ride a few miles to find a safe place to easily pull over. By the time I inspected the brakes, all parts were cool. The rotor color looks normal like the front rotors.
That bring me popgun’s suggestion to flush the hydraulics. I think this is definitely worth the effort, needs to be done anyway. Like Townie, I used the same simple technique to bleed the brake lines on automobiles. I assume I can do the same on the CB, both brake lines and clutch.
Yes, same technique.
(07-18-2018, 01:15 PM)suhawk305_imp Wrote: I read all of your opinions and suggestions with interest. SportsterDoc - at the rear brake failure, I could not smell anything like the brake pads were hot. I had to ride a few miles to find a safe place to easily pull over. By the time I inspected the brakes, all parts were cool. The rotor color looks normal like the front rotors.
That bring me popgun’s suggestion to flush the hydraulics. I think this is definitely worth the effort, needs to be done anyway. Like Townie, I used the same simple technique to bleed the brake lines on automobiles. I assume I can do the same on the CB, both brake lines and clutch.
The rotor would have cooled quickly, while moving.
If not discolored and no lateral run-out, then likely no harm to the rotor, if pads were applied.
Posts: 51
Threads: 10
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2018
I would flush the brake fluid just because of your scenario, which sounds a lot like an overheat situation. That fluid is used
Posts: 3,881
Threads: 115
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2013
Speed bleeders and a vacuum bleeder with your compressor :piece of cake !
Posts: 104
Threads: 9
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2015
(07-18-2018, 08:40 PM)Houtman_imp Wrote: Speed bleeders and a vacuum bleeder with your compressor :piece of cake !
I'd love to see a pic or explanation of that cake
Posts: 1,286
Threads: 33
Likes Received: 40 in 20 posts
Likes Given: 6
Joined: Oct 2017
(07-19-2018, 09:46 AM)Townie_imp Wrote: (07-18-2018, 08:40 PM)Houtman_imp Wrote: Speed bleeders and a vacuum bleeder with your compressor :piece of cake !
I'd love to see a pic or explanation of that cake
I'd love to see a pic or explanation of that cake
Well, it would be moist!
Posts: 846
Threads: 21
Likes Received: 138 in 58 posts
Likes Given: 285
Joined: Apr 2025
Update: I started by bleeding/flushing the clutch fluid the the old pumping, open/close bleeding screw, and the fluid bleeding stopped during the process. I must have accidentally introduced too much air in the clutch system. I got the shop manual out and saw that a vacuum bleeding tool was recommended. I got one from Harbor Freight that works with my compressor, as Houtman suggested. I was able to suck the air out and complete the flushing job.
I next did the the rear and front brakes, and it appeared that some air bubbles came out during the flush.
Took a short test drive and all systems worked.
I have to find out what “speed bleeders” are for the next time.
Posts: 23,403
Threads: 697
Likes Received: 482 in 220 posts
Likes Given: 597
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 112
Threads: 3
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Jun 2015
(07-27-2018, 11:12 AM)suhawk305_imp Wrote: Update: I started by bleeding/flushing the clutch fluid the the old pumping, open/close bleeding screw, and the fluid bleeding stopped during the process. I must have accidentally introduced too much air in the clutch system. I got the shop manual out and saw that a vacuum bleeding tool was recommended. I got one from Harbor Freight that works with my compressor, as Houtman suggested. I was able to suck the air out and complete the flushing job.
I next did the the rear and front brakes, and it appeared that some air bubbles came out during the flush.
Took a short test drive and all systems worked.
I have to find out what “speed bleeders” are for the next time.
https://www.speedbleeder.com/
Just installed 4 of these on my bike. Flushed and put new fluid in both brakes and clutch. It’s a one person operation and very easy. If you use search on the forum you’ll find several threads on speed bleeders.
