1996 R1100R Bleed Rear Brake question.

[Bruce R]

Hello All.

I tried to bleed the rear brake today but not even a drop of brake fluid came out of the nipple. The reservoir is filled correctly but it is very dark fluid. The rear brake works ( not that I use it much ).

Do i really have to take the caliper off the rear in order to flush and renew the rear brake fluids?

Thanks
Bruce

[moto-m]

Not sure why you want to remove the caliper - seems more likely that the nipple has seized or is corroded. If the brake fluid is a dark colour then it would seem that it's been some time since the nipple was in use. I would try replacing it with a new bleed nipple first - hopefully it's a simple fix.

[ICBMguy]

Did you remove the reservoir cover? There's a rubber diaphragm inside that seals out air, and if you try to bleed the system with it in place you'll just build up vacuum pressure on the lines. Just pop the cap off the reservoir and lift up an edge of the diaphragm to break the vacuum. Oh, and make sure you cover anything painted with some aluminum foil to keep brake fluid from ruining the finish!

[Bruce R]

Thanks Moto M for the input, I am ordering a speed bleeder from Mopowersports.com to replace the existing vent. I expect you are right and The line is all gunked up at the point of exit, by changing the vent, I will be able to bleed the rear brake. I believe I saw in the Clymer Repair Manual the details for bleeding the rear brake include removing the Caliper.

ICBM, firstly that is a scary name! I did remove the reservoir cover but that's a good call. Hopefully, changing out the vent ( as it is called on the BMW parts list ) will solve my problem.

I changed out the Transmission fluid yesterday and it was a hilarious cluster f$&k. I planned on using one of my smaller funnels to direct the fluid into a container and away from the exhausts. As I drew the drain plug out from its little cave, I must have clicked it against the cave wall and the drain plug fell out into the funnel and perfectly plugged the funnel hole. Nothing to do now but pull the funnel away form the bike, allowing transmission oil to free flow out and over the exhausts and onto the floor, dump the funnel into the waste container, grab the drain plug then put the funnel under the flowing transmission oil to capture the remaining 20% of the tranny oil!

OMG, i was laughing at my lack of technical skills and spent an extra 40 minutes cleaning up the mess, I created. I learned and hopefully won't make that mistake ever again.