Brake fluid replacement

Hi all,

Tomorrow I plan on draining, filling, and bleeding my brakes using a mighty vac. For draining, the 5th gen manual only mentions removing the reservoir cap on on the handlebar, but not the rear brake reservoir. That cap removal doesn't get mentioned until later when it says to fill it with fluid, which would be after the draining, no? Don't I need to remove both for draining? In my experience, the manual isn't always clear with the steps, and sometimes doesn't mention important information; that's why I'm asking youz.

Thanks!

Just checked the manual again. It doesn't mention anything about draining the pedal brake line. It discusses bleeding until fluid comes out in the hose, unlike the lever brake line section where it directs you to bleed until no fluid comes out.

Also, once the lever brake line is refilled with fluid, to remove the air do I bleed every valve that was bled to drain the fluid? I presume so, but the manual just breezes past that part.

I hate this manual.

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 16 October 2010 - 10:21 PM, said:

Just checked the manual again. It doesn't mention anything about draining the pedal brake line. It discusses bleeding until fluid comes out in the hose, unlike the lever brake line section where it directs you to bleed until no fluid comes out.

Also, once the lever brake line is refilled with fluid, to remove the air do I bleed every valve that was bled to drain the fluid? I presume so, but the manual just breezes past that part.

I hate this manual.


Did a complete flush on a buddies 5th gen last weekend. I'm pretty sure you'll want to make sure you never completely drain anything. Are you using the factory manual or a 3rd party. If it's the FSM the instructions are pretty close to what you'll need to do. Do the fronts first in the order in the manual. Either pump or suction enough fluid out of the reservoir to get it close to the bottom, refill with fresh and bleed the right caliper (IIRC) until fresh fluid comes out. Then do the same with the left. Top up the reservoir as needed. Don't let it run dry, that only complicates things.

Once you have the front done start on the back. Again, you'll need to bleed or suction enough fluid out of the reservoir to get a pretty good refill with fresh fluid. Bleed/flush the various components in the order the manual lists them, making sure to keep the reservoir topped up as you go along. When we did my compadre's, the mighty Vac was enough of a pain, that we just resorted to doing it the old fashioned way - pumping the various master cylinders up then releasing the fluid. Repeat until the fluid comes out clean. It's a bit tricky in spots and a two person job, but a couple of beers a piece and Robert is your mother's brother.

Good luck.

Which manual are you talking about? The Honda shop manual or Haynes? You also have to follow a certain sequence when you are bleeding them. There is also a valve near the gas tank on my 5th gen. My Haynes manual is pretty straight forward and clear.

[image: View Post]vfrjim2002, on 16 October 2010 - 11:38 PM, said:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 16 October 2010 - 10:21 PM, said:

Just checked the manual again. It doesn't mention anything about draining the pedal brake line. It discusses bleeding until fluid comes out in the hose, unlike the lever brake line section where it directs you to bleed until no fluid comes out.

Also, once the lever brake line is refilled with fluid, to remove the air do I bleed every valve that was bled to drain the fluid? I presume so, but the manual just breezes past that part.

I hate this manual.


Did a complete flush on a buddies 5th gen last weekend. I'm pretty sure you'll want to make sure you never completely drain anything. Are you using the factory manual or a 3rd party. If it's the FSM the instructions are pretty close to what you'll need to do. Do the fronts first in the order in the manual. Either pump or suction enough fluid out of the reservoir to get it close to the bottom, refill with fresh and bleed the right caliper (IIRC) until fresh fluid comes out. Then do the same with the left. Top up the reservoir as needed. Don't let it run dry, that only complicates things.

Once you have the front done start on the back. Again, you'll need to bleed or suction enough fluid out of the reservoir to get a pretty good refill with fresh fluid. Bleed/flush the various components in the order the manual lists them, making sure to keep the reservoir topped up as you go along. When we did my compadre's, the mighty Vac was enough of a pain, that we just resorted to doing it the old fashioned way - pumping the various master cylinders up then releasing the fluid. Repeat until the fluid comes out clean. It's a bit tricky in spots and a two person job, but a couple of beers a piece and Robert is your mother's brother.

Good luck.

[image: View Post]Badazzteacher, on 16 October 2010 - 11:41 PM, said:

Which manual are you talking about? The Honda shop manual or Haynes? You also have to follow a certain sequence when you are bleeding them. There is also a valve near the gas tank on my 5th gen. My Haynes manual is pretty straight forward and clear.


I have the factory manual. After doing some more research, it appears many on this forum have had bad experiences with the mighty vac, so I'm leaning towards doing it by pumping the lever and pedal and using a long hose and a container. I'll follow the sequence the manual provides. So is it as simple as pumping the lever and pedal to provide pressure instead of using the suction of the mighty vac?

Is this the gist of the process for each valve: pump the lever or pedal a few times to create pressure, then loosen the bleed valve your working on to release fluid until it comes out clean and no air bubbles remain? Is the lever/pedal pumped for each valve?

Thanks for you responses, guys!

Don't forget you're going to have to open and close the bleeder valves as you pump, unless you have speed bleeders.

Not sure who's had bad experiences with the mityvacs. I found mine to be very useful. Grab a bunch of zip ties or a hose clamp to hold the tube in place if you're doing it solo. Otherwise the tube might fall off and spill fluid everywhere. On the smaller bleeders, I put a zip tie on the hose while it was over the valve to really make sure it couldn't fall off. Just tight enough to hold it on.

Use the Mityvac to suck the old stuff out of the reservoirs(start with the front), then fill w/ new fluid, then either pump or suck the new fluid through to one bleeder at a time, making sure the reservoir DOES NOT run out of fluid!

Fronts first, then the two on the rear caliper(move the caliper to 12 o'clock on the rotor first), then the proportion control valve under the seat. The PCV and rear caliper are bled with the rear brake pedal.

Do your clutch as well, while you're at it! :fing02:

Order of bleeding ...

- Front Brake
- Right outer
- Left outer
- Rear brake
- Right Center Front
- Left Center Front
- (remove and Tilt the left Caliper to 15 degrees - to release any air bubbles to the PCV)
- PCV
- (remove wheel and rear caliper, move to 2 o'clock position)
- Rear Center
- Rear Outer

[image: View Post]AnikMankar, on 17 October 2010 - 08:51 AM, said:

Order of bleeding ...

- Front Brake
- Right outer
- Left outer
- Rear brake
- Right Center Front
- Left Center Front
- (remove and Tilt the left Caliper to 15 degrees - to release any air bubbles to the PCV)
- PCV
- (remove wheel and rear caliper, move to 2 o'clock position)
- Rear Center
- Rear Outer


use this order.. as stated above.. hell print it out! :fing02:
and follow this method..
go shopping for brake fluid.. and clear tubing same as old clear battery vent tubes..and a few zip ties. pick up your fav brewski or drink.. pick up lunch..
go to your bike..
open res cap.. use a napkin you absorb all the fluid in there top.. fill with new fluid.. have a sip of brewski..zip tie tube to bleeder..
open bleeder..
have some lunch while gravity works old fluid out.. top of res.. top off tummy.. have some brewski..

pay attention .. new fluid is coming out of tube and res is low.. close bleeder.. top off res.. repeat in the order above.. pump brake after all is done.. make sure its firm..
enjoy your lunch! :fing02: :biggrin:

[image: View Post]gll429, on 17 October 2010 - 09:31 AM, said:

use a napkin you absorb all the fluid in there top..


A napkin? Dude, if you can get all the fluid out of the reservoir with a napkin, you were low! :laughing6-hehe:

I also don't like the idea of sticking delicate, fibrous paper in my fluid. Try the Mityvac as Seb mentioned, or a turkey baster, or syringe. :fing02:

[image: View Post]carlitos92, on 17 October 2010 - 09:38 AM, said:

[image: View Post]gll429, on 17 October 2010 - 09:31 AM, said:

use a napkin you absorb all the fluid in there top..


A napkin? Dude, if you can get all the fluid out of the reservoir with a napkin, you were low! :laughing6-hehe:

I also don't like the idea of sticking delicate, fibrous paper in my fluid. Try the Mityvac as Seb mentioned, or a turkey baster, or syringe. :fing02:

:laughing6-hehe:
:+1:

PCV usually requires some brake pedal help, If I recall...

The first time I did my VFR I used a Mighty Vac and completely drained the system before adding new fluid. It was a pain getting the air out, I kept doing it over and over again to get the air out. Now I do it without introducing any air into the system. I did not find the Mighty Vac worked any better than pumping the master cylinders. With the Mighty Vac it would suck air through the threads of the bleeder and out the plastic tube. A trick there is to smear axle grease around the bleeder nipples. No such problem using the master cylinders as pumps.

[image: View Post]Bad Boy, on 17 October 2010 - 11:59 AM, said:

The first time I did my VFR I used a Mighty Vac and completely drained the system before adding new fluid. It was a pain getting the air out, I kept doing it over and over again to get the air out. Now I do it without introducing any air into the system. I did not find the Mighty Vac worked any better than pumping the master cylinders. With the Mighty Vac it would suck air through the threads of the bleeder and out the plastic tube. A trick there is to smear axle grease around the bleeder nipples. No such problem using the master cylinders as pumps.


Does pumping the master cylinders work better than pumping the lever/pedal?

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I now feel confident taking this on. Going to use the mity vac to remove much of the fluid from the reserviors, and will pump the lever/pedal or master cylinders to bleed the system, while refilling the reservior so as to not introduce air into the system. Will make sure to open the valve as the lever/pedal is pressed and close the valve before either is let go. Will follow the order prescribed by AnikMankar.

Thanks again, all.

[image: View Post]carlitos92, on 17 October 2010 - 09:38 AM, said:

[image: View Post]gll429, on 17 October 2010 - 09:31 AM, said:

use a napkin you absorb all the fluid in there top..


A napkin? Dude, if you can get all the fluid out of the reservoir with a napkin, you were low! :laughing6-hehe:

I also don't like the idea of sticking delicate, fibrous paper in my fluid. Try the Mityvac as Seb mentioned, or a turkey baster, or syringe. :fing02:


Maybe he meant a "feminine napkin"?? He is nuts, after all! :biggrin:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 17 October 2010 - 12:09 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Bad Boy, on 17 October 2010 - 11:59 AM, said:

The first time I did my VFR I used a Mighty Vac and completely drained the system before adding new fluid. It was a pain getting the air out, I kept doing it over and over again to get the air out. Now I do it without introducing any air into the system. I did not find the Mighty Vac worked any better than pumping the master cylinders. With the Mighty Vac it would suck air through the threads of the bleeder and out the plastic tube. A trick there is to smear axle grease around the bleeder nipples. No such problem using the master cylinders as pumps.


Does pumping the master cylinders work better than pumping the lever/pedal?



Actually it's the same thing. The one fly in that ointment is the secondary MC (SMC) on the left fork leg. You have to pump it by hand while a helper drains first the PCV and then the center piston on the rear caliper. One trick we found doing that part of the system was to apply the rear brake (pump rear MC) between cycles of the SMC. This would recharge the SMC greatly helping getting pressure back. Take your time, think what you're doing through, and you'll be fine. Good luck.

ok ok ok.. i should have said heavy duty paper towels.. and my way means NO PUMPING!! :fing02: why pump all that fluid out when its faster to sop it up and trash the towel? :comp13:

[image: View Post]gll429, on 17 October 2010 - 09:31 AM, said:

[image: View Post]AnikMankar, on 17 October 2010 - 08:51 AM, said:

Order of bleeding ...

- Front Brake
- Right outer
- Left outer
- Rear brake
- Right Center Front
- Left Center Front
- (remove and Tilt the left Caliper to 15 degrees - to release any air bubbles to the PCV)
- PCV
- (remove wheel and rear caliper, move to 2 o'clock position)
- Rear Center
- Rear Outer


use this order.. as stated above.. hell print it out! :fing02:
and follow this method..
go shopping for brake fluid.. and clear tubing same as old clear battery vent tubes..and a few zip ties. pick up your fav brewski or drink.. pick up lunch..
go to your bike..
open res cap.. use a napkin you absorb all the fluid in there top.. fill with new fluid.. have a sip of brewski..zip tie tube to bleeder..
open bleeder..
have some lunch while gravity works old fluid out.. top of res.. top off tummy.. have some brewski..

pay attention .. new fluid is coming out of tube and res is low.. close bleeder.. top off res.. repeat in the order above.. pump brake after all is done.. make sure its firm..
enjoy your lunch! :fing02: :biggrin:


Installing "SPEEDBLEEDERS" help

Finished the job a little while ago. Pretty straightforward, except for the PCV valve. Not much fluid came out of that one, and I ended up losing all the pressure in the lever and pedal. I didn't know what to do, so I just continued with the rest of the valves on the rear caliper. I bled those and got my pressure back. No more air and only new fluid was coming out, but I'm still worried about the PCV valve. Is a lot of fluid supposed to come out of it? I pumped repeatedly and after the initial few ml that came out, nothing else came out. Not even air was coming out of the valve. I could see this because the fluid that was in the hose did not move down the hose.

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 17 October 2010 - 11:42 PM, said:

Finished the job a little while ago. Pretty straightforward, except for the PCV valve. Not much fluid came out of that one, and I ended up losing all the pressure in the lever and pedal. I didn't know what to do, so I just continued with the rest of the valves on the rear caliper. I bled those and got my pressure back. No more air and only new fluid was coming out, but I'm still worried about the PCV valve. Is a lot of fluid supposed to come out of it? I pumped repeatedly and after the initial few ml that came out, nothing else came out. Not even air was coming out of the valve. I could see this because the fluid that was in the hose did not move down the hose.


Hope you have open the valve correctly and you are using the rear brake pedal ?

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 17 October 2010 - 04:24 PM, said:

[image: View Post]carlitos92, on 17 October 2010 - 09:38 AM, said:

[image: View Post]gll429, on 17 October 2010 - 09:31 AM, said:

use a napkin you absorb all the fluid in there top..


A napkin? Dude, if you can get all the fluid out of the reservoir with a napkin, you were low! :laughing6-hehe:

I also don't like the idea of sticking delicate, fibrous paper in my fluid. Try the Mityvac as Seb mentioned, or a turkey baster, or syringe. :fing02:


Maybe he meant a "feminine napkin"?? He is nuts, after all! :biggrin:

Nuts? Perhaps, but in a good way!

[image: View Post]AnikMankar, on 18 October 2010 - 11:38 AM, said:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 17 October 2010 - 11:42 PM, said:

Finished the job a little while ago. Pretty straightforward, except for the PCV valve. Not much fluid came out of that one, and I ended up losing all the pressure in the lever and pedal. I didn't know what to do, so I just continued with the rest of the valves on the rear caliper. I bled those and got my pressure back. No more air and only new fluid was coming out, but I'm still worried about the PCV valve. Is a lot of fluid supposed to come out of it? I pumped repeatedly and after the initial few ml that came out, nothing else came out. Not even air was coming out of the valve. I could see this because the fluid that was in the hose did not move down the hose.


Hope you have open the valve correctly and you are using the rear brake pedal ?


Yes, I followed the same procedure that I used for the other pedal line valves. I pushed the pedal down, opened the PCV valve, closed the valve almost at the end of the pedal's travel, then released the pedal. I did this many many times on that valve, and not much of anything came out. With the PCV valve closed, I checked the brake pressure on the lever and there was none. When I continued to the rear caliper valves, pressure was restored. I feel like the pressure is good at both the lever and pedal. Should I leave it be?

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 18 October 2010 - 12:17 PM, said:

[image: View Post]AnikMankar, on 18 October 2010 - 11:38 AM, said:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 17 October 2010 - 11:42 PM, said:

Finished the job a little while ago. Pretty straightforward, except for the PCV valve. Not much fluid came out of that one, and I ended up losing all the pressure in the lever and pedal. I didn't know what to do, so I just continued with the rest of the valves on the rear caliper. I bled those and got my pressure back. No more air and only new fluid was coming out, but I'm still worried about the PCV valve. Is a lot of fluid supposed to come out of it? I pumped repeatedly and after the initial few ml that came out, nothing else came out. Not even air was coming out of the valve. I could see this because the fluid that was in the hose did not move down the hose.


Hope you have open the valve correctly and you are using the rear brake pedal ?


Yes, I followed the same procedure that I used for the other pedal line valves. I pushed the pedal down, opened the PCV valve, closed the valve almost at the end of the pedal's travel, then released the pedal. I did this many many times on that valve, and not much of anything came out. With the PCV valve closed, I checked the brake pressure on the lever and there was none. When I continued to the rear caliper valves, pressure was restored. I feel like the pressure is good at both the lever and pedal. Should I leave it be?


What did you do with/about the Secondary Master Cylinder?

[image: View Post]vfrjim2002, on 18 October 2010 - 02:37 PM, said:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 18 October 2010 - 12:17 PM, said:

[image: View Post]AnikMankar, on 18 October 2010 - 11:38 AM, said:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 17 October 2010 - 11:42 PM, said:

Finished the job a little while ago. Pretty straightforward, except for the PCV valve. Not much fluid came out of that one, and I ended up losing all the pressure in the lever and pedal. I didn't know what to do, so I just continued with the rest of the valves on the rear caliper. I bled those and got my pressure back. No more air and only new fluid was coming out, but I'm still worried about the PCV valve. Is a lot of fluid supposed to come out of it? I pumped repeatedly and after the initial few ml that came out, nothing else came out. Not even air was coming out of the valve. I could see this because the fluid that was in the hose did not move down the hose.


Hope you have open the valve correctly and you are using the rear brake pedal ?


Yes, I followed the same procedure that I used for the other pedal line valves. I pushed the pedal down, opened the PCV valve, closed the valve almost at the end of the pedal's travel, then released the pedal. I did this many many times on that valve, and not much of anything came out. With the PCV valve closed, I checked the brake pressure on the lever and there was none. When I continued to the rear caliper valves, pressure was restored. I feel like the pressure is good at both the lever and pedal. Should I leave it be?


What did you do with/about the Secondary Master Cylinder?


Oh crap. I didn't even address that one. I followed the valve sequence mentioned above, which doesn't mention the SMC. If I have pressure, though, is all good, or should I start over?

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 18 October 2010 - 03:50 PM, said:

[image: View Post]vfrjim2002, on 18 October 2010 - 02:37 PM, said:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 18 October 2010 - 12:17 PM, said:

[image: View Post]AnikMankar, on 18 October 2010 - 11:38 AM, said:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 17 October 2010 - 11:42 PM, said:

Finished the job a little while ago. Pretty straightforward, except for the PCV valve. Not much fluid came out of that one, and I ended up losing all the pressure in the lever and pedal. I didn't know what to do, so I just continued with the rest of the valves on the rear caliper. I bled those and got my pressure back. No more air and only new fluid was coming out, but I'm still worried about the PCV valve. Is a lot of fluid supposed to come out of it? I pumped repeatedly and after the initial few ml that came out, nothing else came out. Not even air was coming out of the valve. I could see this because the fluid that was in the hose did not move down the hose.


Hope you have open the valve correctly and you are using the rear brake pedal ?


Yes, I followed the same procedure that I used for the other pedal line valves. I pushed the pedal down, opened the PCV valve, closed the valve almost at the end of the pedal's travel, then released the pedal. I did this many many times on that valve, and not much of anything came out. With the PCV valve closed, I checked the brake pressure on the lever and there was none. When I continued to the rear caliper valves, pressure was restored. I feel like the pressure is good at both the lever and pedal. Should I leave it be?


What did you do with/about the Secondary Master Cylinder?


Oh crap. I didn't even address that one. I followed the valve sequence mentioned above, which doesn't mention the SMC. If I have pressure, though, is all good, or should I start over?


My guess is that's the reason you got so little fluid out of the PCV. One of the things it's PCVing is the pressure from the smc. If you're not cycling the smc not much will come out of the pcv (I'm having acronym overload). You could, in pretty short order, take care of that circuit, but you probably don't absolutely have to. If you don't, I'd suggest having someone spin the rear wheel while you cycle the smc. If it stops the rear wheel, you're probably good.

edit : If you want to give a shot, let me know and I'll try to walk you through it.

[image: View Post]vfrjim2002, on 18 October 2010 - 02:37 PM, said:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 18 October 2010 - 12:17 PM, said:

[image: View Post]AnikMankar, on 18 October 2010 - 11:38 AM, said:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 17 October 2010 - 11:42 PM, said:

Finished the job a little while ago. Pretty straightforward, except for the PCV valve. Not much fluid came out of that one, and I ended up losing all the pressure in the lever and pedal. I didn't know what to do, so I just continued with the rest of the valves on the rear caliper. I bled those and got my pressure back. No more air and only new fluid was coming out, but I'm still worried about the PCV valve. Is a lot of fluid supposed to come out of it? I pumped repeatedly and after the initial few ml that came out, nothing else came out. Not even air was coming out of the valve. I could see this because the fluid that was in the hose did not move down the hose.


Hope you have open the valve correctly and you are using the rear brake pedal ?


Yes, I followed the same procedure that I used for the other pedal line valves. I pushed the pedal down, opened the PCV valve, closed the valve almost at the end of the pedal's travel, then released the pedal. I did this many many times on that valve, and not much of anything came out. With the PCV valve closed, I checked the brake pressure on the lever and there was none. When I continued to the rear caliper valves, pressure was restored. I feel like the pressure is good at both the lever and pedal. Should I leave it be?


What did you do with/about the Secondary Master Cylinder?


On second though, I did remove the front left caliper to tilt if 15 degrees. The manual didn't mention anything else related to the SMC.

[image: View Post]vfrjim2002, on 18 October 2010 - 04:47 PM, said:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 18 October 2010 - 03:50 PM, said:

[image: View Post]vfrjim2002, on 18 October 2010 - 02:37 PM, said:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 18 October 2010 - 12:17 PM, said:

[image: View Post]AnikMankar, on 18 October 2010 - 11:38 AM, said:

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 17 October 2010 - 11:42 PM, said:

Finished the job a little while ago. Pretty straightforward, except for the PCV valve. Not much fluid came out of that one, and I ended up losing all the pressure in the lever and pedal. I didn't know what to do, so I just continued with the rest of the valves on the rear caliper. I bled those and got my pressure back. No more air and only new fluid was coming out, but I'm still worried about the PCV valve. Is a lot of fluid supposed to come out of it? I pumped repeatedly and after the initial few ml that came out, nothing else came out. Not even air was coming out of the valve. I could see this because the fluid that was in the hose did not move down the hose.


Hope you have open the valve correctly and you are using the rear brake pedal ?


Yes, I followed the same procedure that I used for the other pedal line valves. I pushed the pedal down, opened the PCV valve, closed the valve almost at the end of the pedal's travel, then released the pedal. I did this many many times on that valve, and not much of anything came out. With the PCV valve closed, I checked the brake pressure on the lever and there was none. When I continued to the rear caliper valves, pressure was restored. I feel like the pressure is good at both the lever and pedal. Should I leave it be?


What did you do with/about the Secondary Master Cylinder?


Oh crap. I didn't even address that one. I followed the valve sequence mentioned above, which doesn't mention the SMC. If I have pressure, though, is all good, or should I start over?


My guess is that's the reason you got so little fluid out of the PCV. One of the things it's PCVing is the pressure from the smc. If you're not cycling the smc not much will come out of the pcv (I'm having acronym overload). You could, in pretty short order, take care of that circuit, but you probably don't absolutely have to. If you don't, I'd suggest having someone spin the rear wheel while you cycle the smc. If it stops the rear wheel, you're probably good.

edit : If you want to give a shot, let me know and I'll try to walk you through it.


Thanks for the offer. A PM has been sent.

Hi everyone, I am new to the board, just picked up my bike about a week ago and trying to figure out this braking system. Can someone please correct me if I am mistaken but when you bleed the rear center and rear outer bleed valves are they bleed just using the foot pedal? I have the same question for the front right/left center valves...they also should be bled using the foot brake....right???


- Front Brake
- Right outer
- Left outer
- Rear brake
- Right Center Front
- Left Center Front
- (remove and Tilt the left Caliper to 15 degrees - to release any air bubbles to the PCV)
- PCV
- (remove wheel and Rear caliper, move to 2 o'clock position)
- Rear Center
- Rear Outer

[image: View Post]MikeOConner, on 20 April 2011 - 06:04 PM, said:

Hi everyone, I am new to the board, just picked up my bike about a week ago and trying to figure out this braking system. Can someone please correct me if I am mistaken but when you bleed the rear center and rear outer bleed valves are they bleed just using the foot pedal? I have the same question for the front right/left center valves...they also should be bled using the foot brake....right???


- Front Brake (
- Right outer
- Left outer
- Rear brake
- Right Center Front
- Left Center Front
- (remove and Tilt the left Caliper to 15 degrees - to release any air bubbles to the PCV)
- PCV
- (remove wheel and Rear caliper, move to 2 o'clock position)
- Rear Center
- Rear Outer


Front Brake - front Lever only
Rear Break and Link - Foot pedal only

in short - YES and YES

The honda manual has bleeding and replacement as on step. Honda says to remove all fluid and the bleed the lines. You dont want to try to bleed empty lines, it will take ages.

Empty the resevoirs and clean them out. Add new fluid and bleed thoroughly, adding new fluid as needed.

I have 2 mighty vacs. I have had no luck with them. They work once or twice and then leak. I still do it the old fashion way and think it makes for a better lever feel. I have an industrial bleeder at work and still do a few pumps the old fashion way.