Bleeding the Front Brakes

Brake Fluid Replacement - Routine Maintenance

Braking performance reduces as brake fluid ages, Repeated stops cause brake fluid to heat and cool rapidly reducing braking performance.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture over a period of time and becomes contaminated as it ages.

Therefore brake fluid should be replaced at specified intervals as instructed in the routine maintenance schedule, see Brake Fluid - Renew.

Brake Bleeding - Description

Brake Bleeding

When removing or replacing brake components and the brake line is opened air will enter as fluid escapes.

If the brake bleed procedure is not carried out air can become trapped in the brake fluid.

A consequence of air being trapped in the brake system is that the brake can feel soft/spongy and the performance of the brakes will be reduced.

Bleeding The Brakes - General Warning, Cautions and Notes

warning
Brake fluid is hygroscopic which means it will absorb moisture from the air. Only use new DOT 4 brake fluid from a sealed container, do not mix different brands of brake fluid and never use brake fluid from an unsealed container or from one that has been previously opened.Any absorbed moisture will greatly reduce the boiling point of the brake fluid.Moisture in the braking system may a cause a reduction in braking efficiency leading to loss of motorcycle control and an accident.
warning
Do not allow dirt or debris to enter the braking system when adding brake fluid to the brake fluid reservoir. Always maintain absolute cleanliness as this will adversely affect the brake fluid's properties.Contaminated brake fluid may cause a reduction in brake performance leading to loss of motorcycle control and an accident.
warning
During bleeding, do not allow the brake fluid level to fall below the lower level mark in the reservoir.If the fluid level is allowed to fall below this mark, air may enter the system and the sequence of bleeding must be repeated.Trapped air in the braking system may a cause a reduction in braking efficiency leading to loss of motorcycle control and an accident.
warning
Check for fluid leakage around brake fittings, seals and joints. Leaks around fittings and joints may allow air to enter the brake system.Air entering the braking system may a cause a reduction in braking efficiency leading to loss of motorcycle control and an accident.
caution
Do not attempt to maintain brake fluid pressure by securing the brake lever to the handlebar or the brake pedal using a band or strap.Banding or strapping the brake lever or pedal may deform the piston seals in the caliper.Lever or pedal travel that is increased or reduced may a cause a reduction in braking efficiency leading to loss of motorcycle control and an accident.
caution
To prevent paint damage, do not spill brake fluid onto any area of the bodywork.Close the brake reservoir and wash any spilled brake fluid immediately with warm soapy water. Spilled brake fluid, if left, will damage painted and plastic surfaces.
caution
Pressure applied to the brake lever or caliper pistons during the bleeding process must be applied and removed smoothly and slowly. It must take a minimum of five seconds between lever positions (from fully released to stop).Failure to follow these instructions can allow air to be drawn in to the system through the bleed screw threads.
note
An additional technician is required to monitor the fluid level and operate the brake lever or pedal when bleeding the brakes.The bleed screws should only be opened by a small angle, just enough to allow system pressure to drop. When pulling the brake lever or pushing the caliper pistons in, some resistance should be felt indicating that the screw is not opened too much.

Front Brake Bleed Procedure Table

The following table indicates the procedure to follow when carrying out repairs or replacement of the following brake components.

Brake Bleed Procedure Table

When replacing/fitting the

Bleed the brakes as follows:

ABS Modulator

Front Brake Lever Setting

Brake Fluid Cap Removal

Back bleed master cylinder

Brake master cylinder bleed1

Bleed brake caliper(s)

Final bleed procedure

Brake caliper conditioning

Front Brake Lever Setting

Brake Fluid Cap Installation

Master Cylinder

Front Brake Lever Setting

Brake Fluid Cap Removal

Back bleed master cylinder

Brake master cylinder bleed1

Final bleed procedure

Brake caliper conditioning

Front Brake Lever Setting

Brake Fluid Cap Installation

-

Brake Caliper(s)

Front Brake Lever Setting

Brake Fluid Cap Removal

Bleed brake caliper(s)

Final bleed procedure

Brake caliper conditioning

Front Brake Lever Setting

Brake Fluid Cap Installation

-

-

Brake Hose/line(s)

Front Brake Lever Setting

Brake Fluid Cap Removal

Brake master cylinder bleed1

Bleed brake caliper(s)

Final bleed procedure

Brake caliper conditioning

Front Brake Lever Setting

Brake Fluid Cap Installation

-

1 For models with a front brake master cylinder bleed screw only.

Front Brake Lever Setting

note
Note the rider's preferred span and ratio settings of the brake lever adjusters in order that they can be returned to the same position when the bleeding operation is complete.
  1. Note the rider's setting of the brake lever adjuster.
  2. Set the brake lever adjuster to position No. 1.
  3. Once the bleeding operation is complete, reset the brake lever adjuster to the rider's preferred setting as noted prior to setting the maximum adjustment.
Brake lever adjuster cjev

  1. Adjuster wheel

  2. Arrow mark

Front Brake Fluid Cap Removal

  1. Turn the handlebars to bring the fluid reservoir to a level position.
    2. Front brake reservoir, kabi_3

    1. Front reservoir upper level

    2. Front reservoir lower level

    3. Screws

  2. Remove the screws from the brake reservoir cover.
  3. Carefully remove the reservoir cover taking care not to spill any fluid.
  4. Check the condition of the sealing diaphragm for the reservoir. Replace if necessary.

Master Cylinder Back Bleed

  1. Remove the caliper mounting fixings and slide the brake caliper off the brake disc.
    2. Front brake caliper mounting bolts (ckwv)

    1. Brake pad retaining pin

    2. Brake caliper fixings

  2. Using a suitable flat metal plate approximately 2 mm thick and 30 to 50 mm wide (for example a gasket scraper) between the brake pads, pump the front brake lever slowly until the plate is held by the brake pads. Do not allow the pistons to fall out.
  3. Being careful not to damage the brake pad material, use the metal plate against the brake pads to push the caliper pistons in evenly and apply pressure to the system.
    4. warning
    During bleeding, do not allow the brake fluid level to fall below the lower level mark in the reservoir.If the fluid level is allowed to fall below this mark, air may enter the system and the sequence of bleeding must be repeated.Trapped air in the braking system may a cause a reduction in braking efficiency leading to loss of motorcycle control and an accident.
  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until no more air appears in the reservoir.
  5. Refit the front brake caliper (see Front Brake Caliper - Installation).

Front Brake Caliper Bleed

  1. Remove the rubber cap from the bleed nipple on the right hand caliper.
  2. Attach a transparent tube to the bleed nipple.
    3. Front brake bleed, HD front caliper bleed

    1. Bleed nipple

    2. Bleed tube

    3. Container

  3. Place the other end of the tube in a suitable receptacle containing new brake fluid.
    4. note
    The bleed screws should only be opened by a small angle, just enough to allow system pressure to drop. When pulling the brake lever or pushing the caliper pistons in, some resistance should be felt indicating that the screw is not opened too much.
  4. Slowly apply and slowly release pressure to the brake lever five times, maintaining pressure on the final application.
  5. Briefly open and close the caliper bleed screw slightly as per the note.
  6. Repeat steps 4 and 5.
  7. Slowly apply and slowly release pressure to the brake lever another five times, maintaining pressure on the final application.
  8. Open the bleed screw slightly to allow fluid to flow out but to still feel resistance in the brake lever.
  9. Leave the bleed screw slightly open and slowly release the brake lever.
  10. Slowly apply and slowly release pressure to the brake lever another five times, closing the bleed screw on the final application.
  11. Repeat steps 4 to 11 until no more air appears in the bleed tube.
  12. Tighten the bleed screw to the 6 Nm.
  13. Fill the reservoir to the upper level with new DOT 4 fluid.
  14. Repeat front brake caliper bleed for the left hand caliper.
  15. Remove the transparent bleed tube.

Final Bleed Procedure

  1. Repeat the bleed procedure as detailed in Front Brake Caliper Bleed.
  2. If brake lever travel is unacceptably high, repeat the front brake bleed procedure.
  3. If the brake lever travel is acceptable, refit the front brake reservoir cover and tighten the screws to 1.5 Nm.
    4. warning
    Always return the lever adjuster to the original setting. Operating the motorcycle with lever settings which are unfamiliar may lead to loss of control or an accident.
  4. Check that the brakes operate correctly. Rectify as necessary.
    5. warning
    It is dangerous to operate the motorcycle with defective brakes; you must have your authorised Triumph dealer take remedial action before you ride the motorcycle again. Failure to take remedial action may result in reduced braking efficiency leading to loss of motorcycle control and an accident.

Front Brake Caliper Conditioning

    warning
    Make sure no damage is made to the brake pad material when moving the brake pads.Allowing the brake pads to come into contact with each other or sharp objects may cause the material to crack or break.Damage to the brake pads may result in reduced braking efficiency leading to loss of motorcycle control and an accident.
  1. On the right hand side caliper, using a suitable tool, push the caliper pistons 1-2 mm into the caliper body by forcing the brake pads apart.
  2. Operate the brake lever to pump the pistons back out until the brake pads come into contact with the brake disc.
  3. Repeat steps 1 to 2 on the same caliper until the pistons have been pushed in and out three times.
  4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 on the left hand side caliper.
  5. Slowly apply front brake lever to the handlebar and maintain that pressure for approximately five seconds. Slowly release the lever, and leave for 30 seconds. Repeat three times.

Brake Fluid Cap - Installation

  1. Fit the diaphragm seal into the reservoir cap and make sure that the holes for the fixings in the cap and the diaphragm seal are correctly aligned.
  2. Install the fixings into the cap and diaphragm seal assembly.
  3. Hold the assembly together and position the cap, diaphragm seal and fixings onto the reservoir.
    4. Front Brake Reservoir Fixings (kabi_4)

    1. Fixings

  4. Tighten the fixings to 1.5 Nm.