Six years later and this is still the best bleeding (ha) video I’ve found - and I’ve looked at a lot.

Rap a rubber band around the front brake handle and add some weight to hold down the rear brake pedal. Wait several hours, remove the rubber band and the weight and your brakes will now provide a solid response as all of the dissolved gas in the fluid has been pushed out/expelled. Tip I got from Rob Bron, Amsterdam in the early 90s. It worked then and still works today.

Thanks for the video - it saved me hours of pain. I recently aquired a 1983 GL1100 with sidecar. This model was the first wing with linked braking. Being my first wing and my first experience of linked braking I have climbing a very steep learning curve. If anyone else is up against bleeding the brakes on one of these bikes with a side - a couple of things I learn - firstly jack the side up as far as possible and secondly remove the linked front caliper and raise it as high as possible..... thanks for your tip about that in the video. Lastly don't rush the job, leave time for those bubble to move about

Nice. This should honestly be the standard way to bleed a simple hydraulic system. The reason being that the bubble will continually try to rise in the lines due to gravity. A few tips I would add: Get a big "dispensing syringe" from a pet store or farm supply shop, so you never need to break the hydro locked system and expose it to air during the bleed. While at the pet store, also get clear vinyl hose used in fish tanks, so you can see the bubbles. Also, after pushing fluid upward from calliper to reservoir, there will still be a big bubble lodged in the calliper, above the level of the banjo bolt. To clear this bubble, simply pull some fluid back into the syringe after the reservoir has filled. Since the bleed valve is the highest point on the calliper, this has to be the last step and the calliper has to be upright to do it. This was done with the calliper upside down in this video, so there would still be a significant bubble in the calliper. To recap: Fill syringe and hose, connect hose to valve, open valve, small pull on syringe to clear small bubble at valve, big push of fluid until res is filled, then another small pull on syringe to clear bubble in top half of calliper, seal the system.

Having done hydraulic brakes on cars, I thought I knew what I was doing for the dry and refurbished twin Brembo calipers on the front wheel of my BMW 659RLS. Two hours later, still fine pumping bubbles with the front brake lever using the conventional technique I learned on cars. Now I see why! Thanks !

I really learned a LOT from this channel. I’ve watched a lot of bleeding tutorials but none of em tell me that the nipple should be facing upward when the caliper bone dry. I’ve tried asking my brother or my dad to teach me but none of em actually know how to. Thank you 🙏🏻

So Helpful!! This reminds me of how I get the air out of the Dialysis cartridge in the ICU, tapping the tubing. adding fluid..tapping and shaking. Neat!

You made my day! After replacing all break lines with new once the system of my bike was almost empty (incl. ABS pump). With a vacuum pump I had now success getting the air out and fluid into the break system. Your tip pumping the fluid into the system in the opposite direction help a lot getting my breaks working again. Thx, very much!

I had struggled all morning the conventional way. Watched this vid and then reverse bled them and it was all sorted in 10 mins or so.

Followed exactly what you did to re-prime the refurbished brakes on my 98 Trident and got there, although it took time to get all the bubbles out and for resistance to build up. I agree it is best to keep re-topping up with fresh fluid once bleeding through, there were loads and loads of tiny bubbles in the fluid as it came through the pipe on the bleed nipple. Be patient, it really works.Thanks Del.

Great video as usual,I go another step further and spend time tapping the caliper with a screwdriver handle between bleeds to help the bubbles up to the bleeder, works for me, even better,borrow the wife’s vibrator 😂

We’ve been trying to replace the master cylinder all day and out of all the videos we watched yours was the one that worked . You’re awesome ! Thanks so much , you broke it down so easily .

I’m 70 yrs old and ride a 2013 Harley Streetglide. I have not done much wrenching on it, but your detailed videos telling “why” a procedure works have inspired me to attempt at least some maintenance repairs with more confidence. Thanks from Michigan, USA

Wow. I gave up on bleeding rear brakes just minutes ago. Im trying your way tomorrow. Thanks! For the good tip👍👍

Currently rebuilding my front & rear brakes (2001 ZRX 1200R) from caliper seals / braided lines/ master cylinder kits. You bring mechanical aptitude to an armatures ability to learn & understand to another level. Explaining the physics involved, gravity, surface tension, fluid mechanics etc. I feel myself thinking, well why didn't I think of that?.. Thank you so much. Plan the work / Work the plan. Your videos have (I'm sure) have saved me a lot of headaches.

tip - when you hang the caliper up higher than the master/reservoir, be sure to keep the bleeder on top to get all the air to it. (you'll notice the bleeder is on top when the caliper is mounted on the bike)

Thanks so much. I struggled with my clutch for a couple of hours. After watching this video I fixed it in 15 min.

finally i can bleed my back break, i've been trying for so long and nothing would make the piston of the caliper move the slightest, the gravity bleeding trick made it work, thank you so much!

Great advice Del especially not shaking the bottle and putting old fluid back in. I use a revers bleeding gun, pushes fluid up from calliper to master cylinder. I have had no problems bleeding my brakes with this..

I miss these videos. This is what made me subscribe to your channel all those years ago. Don't get me wrong, you have great content that reaches a broad audience but i genuinely do miss these tips and tricks. Personally, im not a big fan of fabrication but that's just me. Im a big fan of learning about how to service your motorcycle and it was just nice to see you throwing out another video like this. Keep up the good work. I hope to see more vids like this.

Thank God for this video! I just completely rebuilt my brake Pistons, I went to bleed my brake line, and absolutely nothing happened. I was furious after spending an afternoon in the hot sun f****** around with my brakes. I hope this works because I am fed up

Thanks cobber you've helped me heaps on my 88 FJ 1200 Yamaha restoration project very much appreciated .

The injector trick really helpt me out to get the front brake going again. Thanks a million.

Bloody brilliant... Thanks so much.. This trick saved me hours of pumping a lever and Turning a nut. I cant believe I didn't work this out for myself...

As always thank you for your great advice, this was extremely helpful.

well , i have to rebuild rear caliper on my daughter's scooter because previous owner did some sketchy stuff like putting 2 different pistons ( yeah, u did read right ) and some other stuff and i was thinking while watching your video about rebuilding he definitely have a video how to fyll up a empty brake system ..well i didn't find 1 video but 2 different ways to do it ....perfectly explained like professor ....freaking awesome mate ..thank you once again

Thank you for this, very comprehensive, now to check it out irl. Keep the vids coming x

Thanks so much. Took ages until I moved the lines to release bubbles. Wish I watched the video first and primed the lines beforehand. Anyway. All good now. Thank you 😊

Just looking at some of your older videos Del and love this one about reverse bleeding also a nice tip in one of the comments about the air double above the Banjo bolt, wee tip for anyone that needs a syringe in a hurry, apart from the chemist or pet store you can get 200/300/500ml from a veterinarian, they only charged me £2 for a 500ml.

Just saved my bacon with this awesome tip - I'd been trying to get new lines bleed for 2 hours- this fixed the trick in 5 mins

Blimey mate, you really have put some work in this year. Another cracking video in plain and simple 'no frills' language. Looking forward to the Q & A with Mr Dyson (as always) along with whatever comes our way in 2018. All the best to you and Penny for the New Year...

Great presentation and method. Couple of comments. 1) with the rear caliper off and held high (starting 9:40) the bleed nipple should be held at THE highest piont in the system. 2) on Brembo calipers with the bleed nipple next to the banjo line connection the two are connected directly by a drilled gallery. This leaves the calper pistons out of the "circulation" loop and they do not get fresh fluid circulated thru them. Always fully compress all of the pistons into the caliper when changing the fluid.

I had fun rebuilding my calipers and fitting braided hoses. Used the, clamp brake on and leave for a few days, method but never thought of inverting the calipers. What a simple idea. Thanks for all the videos during 2017 and I wish you and Penny the very best of new years. Catch you later.

Gangs of bubbles 😋 ! Great Job !

When you move the caliper higher, make sure the bleed screw is on top, he had the bleed screw on the bottom, which may still trap some air in the caliper.

This video was a life saver I was stuck unill this guy came throu in the clutch for me, keep up the helpful vids bro.

Dear Del, Yet again you have saved me from giving up and hitting the bottle. I spent 2+ hours pouring brake fluid through my system with no success. I then watched and followed your guidance of reverse bleeding and raising the calipers up above the master cyl which worked like a charm. Thank you very much for taking the time to make these videos!

Отличное видео!

You changing out brake line, with removing banjo bolt. I bought new banjo bolts that saved my life! TCB (Traction Controlled Braking) out of Texas makes an extended banjo bolt with air pocket an diaphragm that makes my non-ABS brakes feel an act like ABS brakes. Naturally, I did a before an after an was amazed! Reason: without TCB banjo turning off to right then hard braking caused rear wheel to break lose causing entire motorcycle rear end to break lose to direction of turn! Before braking can continue bike needs to straighten an get control of rear wheel slide out. Then brakes re-applied to stop. With TCB banjo bolt (just one part on each brake caliper) the bike could hard brake retaining rear wheel road integrity! So fast smooth braking with no rear wheel slide outs, no regaining control, no re-applying brakes a second time to stop. The saving my life part. Every year here in Washington State Hwy 101 we has Oyster Fest that's traffic controlled by state police. I have truck an flatbed with huge Ford backhoe on board in front of me. Car with kids pass me an darts in front of truck. Driver swerved to miss kid, wipes trailer an backhoe falls flat on 101 spinning with its boom now extended! No way to evade, (THANK HEAVENS FOR MY PROPER FOLLOWING DISTANCES) MY only option was immediate hard controlled Braking. The woman in red car pulls up from behind me an says, "I only saw anyone brake like that on TV, "your rear wheel was a foot off the road"! I look down an there is less than 2" from my front tire to the backhoe's arm an bucket. Thanks TCB, I know you saved me, because I know pre an post testing performance an under real road extreme requirements! Police were there in minute being so close an sighted truck driver for inadequate tie downs, the kids that caused it all just bolted up exit , made fast right an were gone. They got away but truck driver an all of us paid or could have paid dearly! Many put $ thousands into chrome or paint, an faster/stronger engine parts. Before that, think about needing better that stock braking, remember it's speed that's the mind rush, but its brakes that saves your life, an the beauty behind you!

Due to a double front brake system i use wedges between the calipers, which i remove the pads first and push in the pistons fully to reduce the room for fluid and air. I even got a remark from a mechanic for crisp front brakes there....everything to remove the air in the system works fine.......have a great new year and ride safe you two.....

I recently discovered a trick for getting rid of the microscopic bubbles from the front brake and it could possibly be used on the rear brake, depending on the bike and the height of the reservoir. After bleeding, refilling and topping off the reservoir, clamp the handbrake closed with a zip-tie. (You would have to clamp down the foot pedal for the rear brake, of course.) Let it sit overnight. Remove the zip-tie and slowly open the top of the reservoir just enough to let the air pressure out which was the microscopic bubbles rising to the reservoir. The difference in the feel from the day before is amazing; it was rock hard. I've been bleeding brakes for decades and the first time I tried this, I was blown away.

This shit can drive you crazy, just went through it on a caliper I now have mounted inverted after switching to an aftermarket swingarm on an old Harley FXR.

Thanks so much. I have been struggling to bleed the front dual caliper brakes on a ‘77 BMW R100S after a complete rebuild without success. I’m going to try the reverse bleed technique you suggest. Brilliant explanation!

Very good tips amigo thanks I have eak all this week trying to bleed the rear brake of my crf 250x now with this video I think is going to help a lot.

I was so frustrated trying the normal bleed. this video saved me. thanks for such useful tips. 👍

Thanks for the video. It was very informative, unlike some wasting time, and I learnt nothing. Nice one 👍 😊

Gee, you made hard work of it. This used to be called the 24-hour trick - bleed the system and then lock down the master cylinder/lever and leave it a lengthy period (hence 24-hour trick - although overnight (me) or an hour or so). Keeping the system under pressure forces all those bubbles to the exit. Works for me - I've never had a problem of getting it rock hard.

Thank you Delboy! your videos are fantastic, your explanations, your little tricks, you're really a good mechanic! long life to you my friend, keep sharing your skills my friend, 👍👏

Great video! Sponginess: 1. air in the system 2. bad or falling master cylinder, less likely. Zip tie brake lever will help, also, let it overnight. Great tip with raising the caliper above reservoir.

Hi Del, hope you had a great Christmas buddy. I remember your previous video on bleeding brakes. I was having an absolute mare trying to bleed my brakes. I then watched your video.. 10 minutes later. Solid brakes with loads of feel. Top bloke. Happy New Year dude 🤘🏻

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge throughout the years. Much appreciated excellent video. Big tanks from across the pond.

Great video mate. Many thanks 💪👍

Glad i found this channel and video. About to do exactly this because of changing to a HEL rear brake hose. Keep up the good work, ill be checking more of your videos this evening after fitting my new line 👍

Some great tips yet again. Really enjoying your channel and the huge amounts of videos I now will work through. :) I used to build bikes from bare steel tube back in the day...built a few lowriders and chops over the years and still learn handy bits a from guys like you mate. Great stuff.

The part about shaking the bottle! first time iv herd/thought about that ..Thanks u just solved my problem.

Delboy. Your tips are first class mate. Thank you so much for sharing this simple but incredibly useful information. Really appreciate it mate 👏👏👍👍

Life saver my RSV1000R now has a rear brake

Always enjoy and learn from these 'simple' mechanic skills vids....thanks! Lookin forward to the Q & A!

Huh, I would have shaken the brake fluid container to prepare it. Great tip, thank you.

very useful video. Thanks mate. I had issues with my front brakes when I changed the rubber hoses to braided on my bike just as you said. My solution was to leave the bike for a day after I bled it to my best of my abilities then released the top bolt next to the reservoir. I put some old rags there to soak up the oil. Just a little oil was let out, then re-bled and that cured it. No more champagne bubbles. I do like your method better though so will use it for the next time.

Only good explanation of this I could find. Thanks man

Thank you kindly for the tip saved me a lot of time. Cheers champ.

On bikes I also use this method. But on cars I use some clear hose on the bleeder valve and I insert a tire valve. I just open the bleeder valve and start pumping the brakes. When you see no air bubbles in the clear hose you are done. The tire valve acts like a one way valve preventing the oil/air getting back in your system.

Thankfor thos video. I after dealing sticking brake on my '99 Valkyrie i rebuild the brake caliper and the right master cylinder. Air got on the line ans this was the only way to get it out. This is in deed a good skill to have.

For anyone looking for a bigger syringe, try your local veterinarian. The 60mL catheter tips work well for this ;)

Suggestion, Anneal the copper washers before installing for a much superior air tight fit.

AS EVER, CLEAR AND SENSIBLE EXPLANATIONS AND BRILLIANT VIDEO.

brilliant! might have to try this w my BMW K1200..... front brakes - since the guidance is to push the pistons back fully and hold back (tool) while bleeding... thanks!

Brilliant clear understood every word A1 ++++++++ Video and what a real nice guy you are thank you!!!!!!

Sehr gut erklärt, so hab ich das meinen Lehrlingen auch immer gsagt. Ich wünsche dir und deiner Familie einen feucht Fröhlichen Rutsch ins neue Jahr.

Brilliant video...as usual. Thank you.

My Friend your video are excellent Thank you for going to the trouble of making them , i learn alot from them thanks again Friend

Thank you so much for the info re reverse bleed. Had fitted new braided lines and was having a problem bleeding them. Now I know why thanks a bunch👍

I miss these videos man. You're so good at tutorials and i've personally used a lot of them on my own bike, saving a lot of money. Hope one day you go back to this kinda thing, an indepth guide on valve clearances for example. Or basically anything Harley related, you'd get thousands of views even explaining the most basic Harley installs/maintenance

I had a feeling this video was coming! HEL just did a 40% off over Christmas I bought matching front lines to go with the rear I've already installed. Also, rubber hoses allow a gentler braking experience which some people prefer, it's us hooligan speed freaks who like the harsher feel of braided lines! Take it easy, Happy new year!

Along with not shaking the brake fluid bottle, I would add that goes for shipped bottles as well. If it came on a truck, let it sit for a few days before using it to let the air bleed to the top.

I've been actually bluffing my way thru some stuff and now I realize that wasn't so smart.Hey thx for the video's.

Nice! Thanks Delboy.

I do the same method. I got a BIG syringe at the local Tractor Supply Store that is used for giving horses shots It works great. Interesting info about the tiny air bubbles in the fluid. I never thought about that

À couple of good tips there bruv. When I started doing stuff on my bike 6 years ago even with a manual those tips to help you are not in it. Those things you have to work out on your own. I have always done all the work on my bike since owning it. I knew very little about bikes and what I did know was from old 2 stroke motorcrosres. It ain't hard, it's the little things like what you showed today and in other videos that are a massive help. Well done not a lot of people go into it that well and explain why. I know your channel has got me out off the shit several times. All the best for 2018 to both yourself and Penny and hope for even more great content lover the coming year.Take it easy ride safe both of you. Oh yeah............ Happy New Year D&P we luv ya.

Great video Del 👍

Man I so wish you where here in the states because you would be my new mechanic for my hayabusa. Thank you for the video. Also I tend to look at everything with a bit more scientific point of view. Also

Good point about not shaking the brake fluid. I get mine online, and I've never thought about it before, but it's undoubtedly been thoroughly shaken up through the post. Next time I'll let it rest for a couple of weeks and see if that makes a difference :D

A method that I use is much simpler yet. The old style drum brakes used a check valve at the master cylinder which required "pumping" your brakes to force brake fluid down to the brake cylinders. Disc style brakes don't need or have that same check valve at the master cylinder. For disc brakes only: Fill your reservoir with new clean brake fluid. With a clear 'drip hose' on your bleeder screw, open the bleeder screw and allow gravity to feed the new brake fluid through the system from the reservoir down and out the bleeder screw. Don't pump the brake pedal, or any other action. Just wait. Usually takes 20-30 minutes for the first new brake fluid to exit the bleeder valve. Refill the reservoir as needed (don't let it run dry). Once you get a clear stream of brake fluid coming out your bleeder valve and no air, you're done. Tighten the bleeder, remove your drip hose, top up the reservoir & install the cap. Test your brakes.

Superb vid, Del. I feel like I was in a proper classroom with the maestro! Can’t wait to see the look on our pharmacist’s face when I ask for a hypodermic! 😀. Happy new year to you both and take care of your broom!

nice one thanks for the upload your never to old to learn new tricks respect at you Del . Ride safe 😎👍

Thanks, great video and I’m doing rear breaks on a Harley project soon. I’ve seen people give up trying to bleed brakes. Obviously didn’t see your instructions

Great vid buddy, while the calliper was above master cylinder I would have secured the pads just like you did, then I’d probably would have hung a weight off the brake lever... The brake fluid under pressure would have squashed the air bubbles into smaller bubbles allowing them to rise to the Calliper easier having more space to move... just a thought... happy new year guys

EXCELLENT VIDEO bro 👍

Thanks mate I'm trying to bleed a twin 2001 Tokico 6 piston caliper and your method makes a lot of sense

Great Video

Just get a long hose that goes above the rear master zip tie the hose to the bleeder screw and send it. I do all my brakes like that it's very easy.

Great explanation mate. Thanks!

i spent 7 hours as a novice bleedi g a dry front system. untill i did this and didnt even need to bleed at all. just band the lever overnight (wasnt spongy) but did it anyway

Thanks for sharing..

Brilliant. Watched it several times!

brill thanks mate

Thanks!!!

Best guy , thanks so much

legend! syringe fixed all my issues