installing stainless steel braided brake lines
 

Hi,
I just received my stainless steel braided brake lines and will be replacing the original ones tonight. I am not entirely sure about the best way to do this and was hoping that I could have your comments on my intended procedure.

I have a bleeding valve tube combination that should allow me to pump out the brake fluid.

1) connect the bleeding valve/hose to the bleeding nipple on the front right caliper;
2) Unscrew the bleeding nipple;
3) Pump the brake lever until no more fluid is coming out;
4) Close the nipple;
5) Connect valve to front left caliper's nipple;
6) Pump until no more brake fluid is coming out and close nipples;
7) Unscrew the brake line fittings;
8 ) Attach the new lines and fittings;
9) Open the master cylinder and fill with brake fluid and cover;
10) Connect the bleeding valve to the front right brake calliper's bleeding nipple and undo nipple;
11) Pump until no more air bubbles are coming through the valve making sure that there is enough fluid in the master cylinder.
12) Repeat step 11 for front left caliper;
13) Secure the cover on the master cylinder and pump it up until there is enough grip in the front calipers.

Did I miss something?

Thanks

Re: installing stainless steel braided brake lines
 

From what I can see that would do the job, but I'd change the last few steps.
I'm assuming you mean open reservoir? If you don't do this from the start, you'll find it mighty hard to bleed all the fluid out the system.

My version, skip 9.
10) Connect the bleeding valve to the front right brake caliper bleeding nipple and undo nupple;
11) Pump brake fluid INTO the caliper (using the bleeding valve), to push the fluid from the bottom up. Stop when fluid appears in the resevoir & before you get it all over your paint. Then suck fluid out again until it's at the VERY bottom of the resevoir. Dont forget to close bleed nipple (I've forgotten that before now!!).
12) CAREFULLY repeat 11 for the left caliper. All you're doing here is ensuring that liquid got to the left side when you pumped it into the right side.
13) Top up the resevoir with fluid.
14) Check brakes, and bleed as needed to get pressure in the lever. Top up with fluid as needed. You'll probably find you check the brakes, and they're fine. I usually do.

Re: installing stainless steel braided brake lines
 

Just a thought but did they come with installation instructions for your bike?

Re: installing stainless steel braided brake lines
 

I take it I need a syringe to pump the fluid into the caliper??

Re: installing stainless steel braided brake lines
 

All the installation instructions say is to consult the manufacturer's manual.

Re: installing stainless steel braided brake lines
 

That's why I bought a MityVac. A nice bi-directional pump. It'll blow or suck, whatever takes your fancy (careful now!). Also has a little bottle inline to catch fluid coming out the calipers. ;)

About the instructions, that's just to cover themselves, they don't want to miss something & cause ijit to ride on a bike with effectively no brakes.

Re: installing stainless steel braided brake lines
 

Best hint I have even been given for fitting new lines, it was from a dealer who sold Hel lines, was to use a syringe (a few pennies from a chemist) to suck fluid from the caliper - just keep filling the reservoir.

Does the job very well in about 20 seconds with very little need for traditional bleeding.

Re: installing stainless steel braided brake lines
 

You can also use the syringe as a neat way to remove fluid from the whole system before you split it - just suck it straight out the caliper bleed nipple.

Re: installing stainless steel braided brake lines
 

So, to rewrite your instructions:

1) connect the bleeding valve/hose to the bleeding nipple on the front right caliper;

Use syringe instead.

2) Unscrew the bleeding nipple;

3) Pump the brake lever until no more fluid is coming out;

Just suck - ooooer

4) Close the nipple;

Yes, otherwise step 5 and 6 wont work

5) Connect valve to front left caliper's nipple;

Syringe

6) Pump until no more brake fluid is coming out and close nipples;

Dont bother closing the left nipple

7) Unscrew the brake line fittings;


8 ) Attach the new lines and fittings;


9) Open the master cylinder and fill with brake fluid and cover;

You mean reservoir - it should be opened at the begining and left open (but covered to stop dust etc...)

10) Connect the bleeding valve to the front right brake calliper's bleeding nipple and undo nipple;

Already undone on left, connect syringe

11) Pump until no more air bubbles are coming through the valve making sure that there is enough fluid in the master cylinder.

Just suck and keep eye on level

12) Repeat step 11 for front right caliper;

Yup

13) Secure the cover on the master cylinder and pump it up until there is enough grip in the front calipers.

Ermmm, no, do a traditional bleed on both calipers and then put lid on after topping up.

Job done.

Re: installing stainless steel braided brake lines
 

Thanks for the suggestions. I now feel more confident to attempt the job.