Motorcycle Repair: front brakes, motorcycle brakes, m c reservoir

Question
how do you properly bleed the front brakes on a 1982 GL 1100 HONDA. brakes will not build up pressure, but fluid is down in calliper and barely leaking out of the bleeder screw.would greatly app any help or advice.

Answer
Matt, there are number of sites that give details on bleeding m/c brakes:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/bleeding-motorcycle-br...

http://www.h-e-l.co.uk/HEL_Performance_Brake_Doctor_Brake_Bleeding.htm

http://www.cyclebrakes.com/html/cleaners___bleeders.html

http://www.dansmc.com/hydraulics.htm

23 year old brake lines may also be a cause of the difficulty. Air gets trapped in the various fluid joints and kinks/bends in the lines. Have a friend pump the m/c while you separate the banjo joint connections anywhere there are such connections, including the one next to the m/cylinder. Always keep the m/c reservoir full as you bleed the system. Another trick is to pull the lever all the way in, wrap a bungie cord around the lever and grip and let it sit like that overnight. The constant pressure will generally force air bubbles to the top where they can escape through the master cylinder. BE SURE that the tiny bleed hole in the floor of the reservior is clear and clean. Any dirt/debris or old fluid gunk will block the port and they will NEVER bleed correctly.

Bill Silver