Brake caliper

[fergmc]

Argh, its the old problem. How the flip do I loosen a bleed nipple that refuses to loosen. Drop of heat n wd later and its still more rooted than a 300 yr old oak! Been changing the bars on my 750 teapot to straight bars and right at the end there is an obstacle to slooooowwww you away down.  Any ideas before i hear the dreaded snap?

thanks ferg 

[Pegleg]

Need to get it much hotter than you think.

I'd imagine the caliper is probably overdue a strip and service.

Strip it right out and then you can heat it properly without melting the seals. 

[Pegleg]

Failing that it is possible to bleed the brakes without cracking the bleed nipple. 

[fergmc]

Cheers bud.  How do you bleed without the nipple? 

[markfoggy]

If you've not drained the system or calipers, slacken the bajno at the master cylinder and then push the pistons back in the caliper/s. Any air should be towards the top.

Add fresh fluid to the resevoir and it should pump straight back up.

[fergmc]

Ok thanks will try that.  With changing  the bars im not 100% sure the pipe from the split joint to the master cylinder will be long enough. Will be having another look at it tonight hopefully.

[Captain Chaos]

if you've only loosened banjo bolts near the handlebars and nothing near the calipers, you will have no need to bleed them since air goes up in brake fluid. So all the air is near the top.

DON'T pump the brakes after assembly because you will force the air down. As Markfoggy says just push the pistons back in the calipers and the air bubbles will appear in the master cilinder reservoir.

[Swiss Toni]

If you've used heat already...the seals are toast! Continue with heat, and touch kids birthday cake  candle to nipple threads. Wax (paraffin) will wick down the thread and free it off. Very rarely fails. In the unfortunate event you snap the bleed nipple off...all is not lost! Someone used to sell banjo bolts with a bleed nipple in the top. Can't remember who, 'tho! I would think anyone who supplies hoses/bolts?

[fergmc]

thanks for your advice. i will be workin later on tonight so as to hopefully be back on the road tomorrow - baring any ice. 

[fergmc]

Hey folks thanks for all your help, I have a front brake now.  Bled up the way from the brake caliper that the bleed nipple is free.  It locks the front wheel ok so hopefully it will all be good.

Ferg