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Monday, August 8, 2011

Chicago Pnumatics Brake Bleeding Tool

About the most frustrating thing I have had to do with a bike is bleed the brakes.  There is a tool available now that transforms the job from days of agony to minutes of easy wrenching.  The trick is using an air hose to create a vacuum which positively sucks the brake fluid out of the caliper.  What it does is run high speed air across a vent hole which is connected to a hose that is connected to the brake caliper.  This means an air compressor is needed to use this tool.  Professional models co$t around US$200, which is unreasonable to me considering their simple construction.  Harbor Freight sells one for US$26, much more reasonable.  Here's a link http://www.harborfreight.com/brake-fluid-bleeder-92924.html

Pro models have unrestricted flow, which can actually be a problem.  When bleeding small motorcycle master cylinders a Pro model can suck the fluid so fast it empties a motorcycle's reservoir.  Then the job has to be started all over again from the beginning.  Pro units are made for cage guys who have to move quarts of brake fluid, instead of ounces.  The Harbor Freight unit has a bit of flow restriction, which makes it perfect for motorcycle use.

After using this tool any other brake bleeding method seems slow and cumbersome.  This thing is fast and easy.


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