Posts: 21
Threads: 1
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: May 2022
Hey guys, I was bleeding the front brakes on my CB1100 18 YM. Everything is routine, cracked the 8mm bolt and start bleeding after a few pumps later there is no fluid coming out and the front lever is rock hard.
I have tried both front calipers and both have no fluid coming out! What the hell has happened any clues?
Never seen this on any bike I have owned.
Posts: 1,670
Threads: 41
Likes Received: 137 in 65 posts
Likes Given: 34
Joined: Apr 2014
(01-06-2023, 07:47 AM)ichiban_imp Wrote: Hey guys, I was bleeding the front brakes on my CB1100 18 YM. Everything is routine, cracked the 8mm bolt and start bleeding after a few pumps later there is no fluid coming out and the front lever is rock hard.
I have tried both front calipers and both have no fluid coming out! What the hell has happened any clues?
Never seen this on any bike I have owned.
Yours is a 2017 ABS model I recall.
When you started bleeding one side, got a little fluid out before it went solid, and then closed the bleeder. At this point, was the lever still solid?
Then when you went to the other side, did the lever move? Did any fluid come out?
Did the lever go in at any point after the initial lever lockup on the first side?
Posts: 21
Threads: 1
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: May 2022
(01-06-2023, 08:38 AM)pekingduck_imp Wrote: (01-06-2023, 07:47 AM)ichiban_imp Wrote: Hey guys, I was bleeding the front brakes on my CB1100 18 YM. Everything is routine, cracked the 8mm bolt and start bleeding after a few pumps later there is no fluid coming out and the front lever is rock hard.
I have tried both front calipers and both have no fluid coming out! What the hell has happened any clues?
Never seen this on any bike I have owned.
Yours is a 2017 ABS model I recall.
When you started bleeding one side, got a little fluid out before it went solid, and then closed the bleeder. At this point, was the lever still solid?
Then when you went to the other side, did the lever move? Did any fluid come out?
Did the lever go in at any point after the initial lever lockup on the first side?
Yours is a 2017 ABS model I recall.
When you started bleeding one side, got a little fluid out before it went solid, and then closed the bleeder. At this point, was the lever still solid?
Then when you went to the other side, did the lever move? Did any fluid come out?
Did the lever go in at any point after the initial lever lockup on the first side?
Hi pekingduck, Yeah it's ABS but not the combined ABS like previous models. Yup a small amount of fluid came out(left caliper) then the lever was rock hard. Closed the bleeder lever was the same, went to the other side, and no fluid either.
Yes, the lever did not budge after the first lock-up. Looked in the service manual and it points to a potentially seized caliper. well it was fine before I bleed it
Posts: 4,383
Threads: 240
Likes Received: 827 in 337 posts
Likes Given: 644
Joined: Apr 2025
Maybe try a vacuum pump to extract instead of pumping the lever?
Posts: 21
Threads: 1
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: May 2022
(01-06-2023, 09:17 AM)Gone in 60_imp Wrote: Maybe try a vacuum pump to extract instead of pumping the lever?
Thanks for the suggestion, I have left a few velcro strips on the lever hoping any airlock will clear overnight. I will have to buy a vacuum bleeder as last resort.
Posts: 4,383
Threads: 240
Likes Received: 827 in 337 posts
Likes Given: 644
Joined: Apr 2025
When I had BMWs, I remember a tech once telling me that a vacuum pump should be used rather than pumping the lever to change and bleed brake fluid for fear of upsetting the ABS system. But, that was BMW, which can be weird.
To see if you've got a frozen caliper, if you've got fluid in the sytem and plenty in the reservoir, and hopefully no air in the lines, I'd remove the caliper mounting screws and rock the calipers back and forth to let the rotors push the pads back into the calipers a bit. Then, reattach the calipers, squeeze the lever gently, and see if you can push the pads back against the rotors without any resistance. If you can't get the pads to move, then something in the system is upset, and your calipers are locking up for some reason.
Posts: 1,670
Threads: 41
Likes Received: 137 in 65 posts
Likes Given: 34
Joined: Apr 2014
Is the lever all the way in, or back out to normal. The lever/master cylinder piston may be seized, because, with the bleeder valve open, it was able to travel far further than in normal use.
I would cover the tank with plastic or lots of other protection, then try wrapping a rag around the master cylinder hose bolt. Slowly loosen the bolt and see if the lever will pump fluid out bolt area of the master cylinder. The master cylinder is suspect since it does the same on both sides.
Posts: 21
Threads: 1
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: May 2022
Got a vacuum pump and that made no difference at all, after cracking the master cylinder banjo bolt and squeezing the lever nothing. This leads to the point, the brake master cylinder is goosed. I will have to get the dealers involved as I have a warranty on this bike. Shame just got the bike and this has happened.
such is life!
Posts: 4,383
Threads: 240
Likes Received: 827 in 337 posts
Likes Given: 644
Joined: Apr 2025
That is a shame. Hope the dealer is able to help. If it happened to my ‘13 with no warranty support, I’d order a master cylinder rebuild kit, tear it down, clean everything, make sure there was no wear or corrosion on the moving parts, replace the seals and put it back together.
Posts: 21
Threads: 1
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: May 2022
(01-07-2023, 02:53 AM)Gone in 60_imp Wrote: That is a shame. Hope the dealer is able to help. If it happened to my ‘13 with no warranty support, I’d order a master cylinder rebuild kit, tear it down, clean everything, make sure there was no wear or corrosion on the moving parts, replace the seals and put it back together.
Yeah totally agree, I would have done the same if I did not have the warranty, the master cylinder repair kit is not that expensive either. This slight issue will not put me off the bike, Thanks for all your help really appreciate it.
|
