Post by ian on Feb 9, 2023 19:58:13 GMT
Our old bikes, my SDs & Gill's RSs have all been rebuilt including the callipers with new seals & silicon fluid, so should last a bit longer than the 2 to 3 years recommended for Dot 4 brake fluid. But that's what's in our modern bikes and they're up for replacement. I decided it was time to replace the bleed tube I bought about 40 years ago. Don't really need a bleed valve for bike where you can operate the nipple with one hand and the lever with the other, but I thought it would be safer when I came to do the ABS bikes.
It old tube was a lot longer than in the photo, but the nipple end of the tube hardens with age & I have to keep cutting a chunk off. I did manage to do the Van Van & GB250 with it by softening the tube with a hot air gun, but thought I'd better invest in a new one for the ABS bikes. I did my REs with the new tube ok, but a week or two later when I did Gill's Z400 the tube slipped off the nipple as I released the brake lever letting air in - no brakes! The end of the tube had swollen already & wasn't tight enough on the nipple. Back to the 40 year old tube, and I managed to get the job done. Better find a better quality tube for next time
It old tube was a lot longer than in the photo, but the nipple end of the tube hardens with age & I have to keep cutting a chunk off. I did manage to do the Van Van & GB250 with it by softening the tube with a hot air gun, but thought I'd better invest in a new one for the ABS bikes. I did my REs with the new tube ok, but a week or two later when I did Gill's Z400 the tube slipped off the nipple as I released the brake lever letting air in - no brakes! The end of the tube had swollen already & wasn't tight enough on the nipple. Back to the 40 year old tube, and I managed to get the job done. Better find a better quality tube for next time
