Brake lines What do you use?

[skinnydog0_0]

Hi all,
I am currently using HEL brakelines on my rvf and i have blead them 3 times and they still seem a little soft/spongy.
I used to use Goodrich lines on the VFR and never had a problem with bleeding or the feel.
Has anyone else had similar feelings from their HEL lines, or am i doing something stupid
I am sure that i am bleeding them correctly, i do one caliper at a time and dont use a kit (do it the old fasioned way). But the lever seems to always pull back to the handle bar, i don't remember having this with the goodrich lines
I have tried leaving them over night, with a cable tie round the lever with the brakes 100% on and the resivoir cap loose. It seemed a bit better but still not quite right
Any advice much appreciated
Cheers

[Old Painless]

You have air in the lines, master cylinder or calipers. I have used HEL lines and they are as good as any other.

[Daz H]

Hel are quality lines; have you cracked the banjo bolt at the master cylinder? There could be a little bit of air in there.

[skinnydog0_0]

Thanks, i must be doing something wrong. I will start from fresh and check that the banjo bolts and copper washers are clean and everything is as it should be.
I agree about the HEL lines, the build quality is very very good.
Is there any way of air getting in through the master cylinder or the rsivoir connection?

[Daz H]

As long as everything is working as it should and you have fluid in the reservoir no air should be able to get into the system anywhere. As you've said, Start again and check everything! I have had it where I just couldn't bleed it up for ages, left it over night then it sorted it's self out? Bleeding brakes sucks

[skinnydog0_0]

Yes i will check everthing again Daz. before i take it apart though I think i will try the brakes on 100% again and leave them on over night, seemed to help a little last time.

[cbr400rrn]

I have tried leaving them over night, with a cable tie round the lever with the brakes 100% on and the resivoir cap loose. It seemed a bit better but still not quite right

Never heard of leaving the reservoir cap loose as air can then get into the system, remember it is supposed to be a closed system (No air can enter it.)
Just keep bleeding them it can take quite a while

[Cammo]

have you cracked the banjo bolt at the master cylinder? There could be a little bit of air in there.

What Daz said ^

You might need to bleed the master cylinder. You can do it just as you do the calipers: pump the brakes up and crack the bolt open, tighten up and relase the lever. I wrap a rag around it so fluid doesn't get everywhere.

You can also buy master cylinder bolts already with bleed nipples.

[Andy_998]

You should start the bleeding from the master cylinder down if u are usin the old fashion method. Make sure ur brake res is kept topped up, to bleed it at the master cylinder pull in the lever back off the banjo bolt on the master cylinder then re tighten and release the brake lever slowley. Ensure u have plenty of rags around the area as brake fluid will go everywhere. Repeat this process till the brakes start to feel much better then bleed as u already described at the calipers. The brakes should be spot on then.

Haha sorry beat me to it!!!!

[skinnydog0_0]

You should start the bleeding from the master cylinder down if u are usin the old fashion method. Make sure ur brake res is kept topped up, to bleed it at the master cylinder pull in the lever back off the banjo bolt on the master cylinder then re tighten and release the brake lever slowley. Ensure u have plenty of rags around the area as brake fluid will go everywhere. Repeat this process till the brakes start to feel much better then bleed as u already described at the calipers. The brakes should be spot on then.

Haha sorry beat me to it!!!!

Thanks guys, will start again from scratch, and bleed the master cylinder too
Cheers