Motorcycle Repair: bleeding brakes, bleeding brakes, brake caliper

Question
QUESTION: yes i have a 2004 Yamaha r6 i recently bled the front brake system i opened both bleeders on the two calipers in front i pressed my brakes in so all the fluid were out of the caliper i put fresh fluid dot4 brake fluid in my master cylinder i tried then to bleed the brakes just how you are suppose to do like pump it a couple times then hold it in open bleeder close it then released the handle i did that about a million times and i still have no brakes the front brake handle goes in like a hot knife threw butter what is wrong??

ANSWER: When bleeding brakes, you need to connect a small hose from each bleed screw to a container filled with fresh brake fluid. By immersing the end of the hose in the fluid, it prevents air from being drawn back into the brake caliper when the lever is released during the pump stroke.

Fill the master cylinder with fresh fluid, then pump the lever several times. Hold the lever at the bottom of the pump stroke, then open the bleed screws to release the pressure and any air in the lines. Close the bleed screws, then release the lever. Refill the master cylinder and repeat the process. Eventually, as all the air is bled from the system, you will feel the lever start to get firmer. When you squeeze it hard and it won't go all the way in to the handlebar, you are done.

The key here is to keep the bleed hose immersed in the brake fluid of the container and to NOT let go of the lever until after the bleed screws have been closed. It really helps if you have a friend work the lever while you attend to the bleed screws.


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QUESTION: thank you for responding to my question i did what you told me to i put a hose on the bleeder into a container did what i have been doing and still nothing i don't know what to do any more ideas that could be useful?? i thank you for you time

Answer
If you are certain that the hose is tight over the bleed screw and that the other end is always immersed in the fluid in the container, try bleeding one side at a time. It may take several tries before the air is bled from the system. It is possible, though, that the piston seal in the master cylinder is worn out and needs replacing. You might want to try a rebuild kit for it if all else fails.