98 zx9r brake bleeding problems
 

Has anyone had a front master cylinder fail? I just put on new stainless lines on my 98 zx9r and I cant get the pressure to build in the lines even after I sucessfully bled the new brake lines. Even after pumping the lever several hundred times to get all the air out ( about an hours worth), I cannot get the pressure to build with both of the bleed valves closed (ie. the lever doesn't have any resistence). Should I buy a new master cylinder or try to rebuild it? There are no leaks at any of the banjo bolt locations. thanks for the input

RE: 98 zx9r brake bleeding problems
 

what do you mean you successfully bled the brakes? Bikes are a pain to bleed, when I did some work and they needed bled I paid 20 bucks for a local shop to use their vacuum setup and it took about 10 minutes.

RE: 98 zx9r brake bleeding problems
 

I would pump the brake with the bleed valves closed then pull the lever all the way to the bar. Then I released the valve for a moment then shut it to allow bubbles and old fluid to exit the system through a vynil tube. Very little fluid seemed to be moving through the lines, but some nonetheless. After having done both calipers and having made sure there was new fluid and hopefully very little air most of the way through the lines, there was still no pressure build up in the lever. I repeated this process for at least one hour or more, having moved at least three reservior's worth of fluid through the lines.

RE: 98 zx9r brake bleeding problems
 

sounds familiar... call around to local shops and see who has the cheapest rates... take it in and let them look at it... better to spend 20-30 bucks, to make sure what is going on. I'm not saying you did it wrong, bikes are just trickier than cars

RE: 98 zx9r brake bleeding problems
 

I had a tough time with mine too. I had to hold a finger on the bleed valve when I released the lever or it would just suck in air from the bleed valve. It took me quite a while to get it. It's almost a two man operation. The key is to keep the bleed valve covered before you release the lever.

RE: 98 zx9r brake bleeding problems
 

when I swiched my set up I had to crack the bango fitting at the master cylinder to get the master to build up pressure. try that..

another way is to zip tie the brake down to the bar and open the bleeders. fill up the res. and let it sit for a few hours come back and bleeded like normal

RE: 98 zx9r brake bleeding problems
 

thanks a lot guys. Got if figured out today, and i had to crack open the banjo bolts at the master cylinder. I guess a large air pocket got trapped up there. Thanks again!