Replacing Brake Fluid, Versys 650
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2024
- Join me as I replace the brake fluid on my trusty Kawasaki Versys 650! Braking performance is notoriously lacklustre on the Versys but mine is particularly spongy. The fluid is at least 2 years old (the time I've had the bike) and could also possibly have air bubbles in the system. SO I will attempt to bleed the brake lines and replace the old stuff with shiny new stuff and hopefully revitalise my bikes stopping power!
*NB* This is a 'How did' not a 'How To'. I'm not a professional. I'm not even a semi-pro! So maybe i didn't do things the 'right' or best way. But I wanted to show that bike maintenance is possible with limited tools or ability and that it isn't as daunting as it looks.
Thanks!
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AndyManCam. Helping me bleed my brakes on my Versys 650. 7 years later and your videos are still helping people. Thank you for your maintenance videos!! Theyre extremely helpful
Haha! The gift that keeps on giving! Totally my pleasure and I’m very happy that these age old videos are still useful!
Not my favorite job in the world but surprisingly easy once you've got the hang of it. Best thing I took away from this video was poking the 2 holes in the foil cap of the brake fluid container. Genius
+Ozzi Supercub agreed! And satisfying to know it's done too! The second hole is the secret to many wonders! (That's what she said)
Thanks, Andy. Very clearly explained. I used your tips and now my Versys has a new fluid too. Rear as well ;)
+Borys Dewar Glad to hear it! Cheers! And well done on the rear. I haven't got that far yet!
Andy, maybe you already know about it, but putting a rubberband on your brakelever (not much pressure needed, just enough to keep the brakecylinder activated) over night, will let acces for remaining air-microbubbles to work their way up from the hoses to the brakefluid container. This often gives the little extra in the firm brakelever-feeling.
+Brrraaaapp oddly enough, i rear about this magic trick a few hours after recording these vids. So i rushed out to the garage and zip tied the lever to the bars. Amazingly, it totally worked! Still not sharp by any means, but definitely firmer!
May I ask what laws of physics stand behind this famous legend? I don't understand how greater pressure can make bubbles work their way up. I think it's just that lines expand over night so in the morning it might feel firmer because of less space to expand more :D
Okay I think get it, it's not about pressure, it's probably the return valve that needs to be kept open.. the remaining air then goes through to the cylinder and in the morning releasing the lever lets it pop up into reservoir.
I'm sure this is a myth, it does firm the lever up but you can get the same result by simply pumping the lever quite a few times, just building pressure after the cap has been put back on.
Same goes for when the brakes do start to feel spongy, just pump them as you're getting ready to ride. With cars as they have a servo, put your foot on the brake pedal and push it down, start the engine and you will feel it firm up, give it a few pumps and it might firm up some more.
This video did exactly as it said on the tin! I now have new fluid in my hoses, and I acquired a degree in nipple twisting!
Awesome editing! Just the right moments at the right pace sprinkled throughout with deft humor. Thanks!
Much appreciated!
Thanks for sharing, Andy. Well done. And you can't beat the commentary.
Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Great vid. Am a crazy old woman not afraid to get her hands dirty, will be attempting this tomorrow. Just replaced the pads today.
+lexotic2421 Thank you! I hope it went well and you didn't get too much spooge on your crazy old hands! 😉
I'm looking forward to your vids on your tour of the Alps. Really enjoyed your last tour series.
+Lewis MacNab Thanks Lewis. I'm really looking forward to getting them out to you! It was a real trip of a lifetime!
If you do win the lotto and fancy buying braided lines can I recommend Wezmoto lines.. They come fully stainless including the fitting kit for less than you'll pay for the Hell lines etc, been using them for years and have always been happy 👍🏻
+Tack2252 Thanks! I'll check them out. Most important thing for me is TÜV certification. Otherwise it's a no go.
Andy, If you want to upgrade your braking power further, a cheap and simple upgrade is to get the updated "curved" master cylinder off a 2009-14 Versys or ER6N/F
+Richard Crosse That's a good tip Richard, thanks. I'll keep an eye out on ebay!
Entertaining and informative. Thanks.
My pleasure! Thanks for watching!
Excellent video mate ,thanks
Many thanks. My pleasure!
Happy New Year Andy Man.
+Will Skills Thanks Will and a very happy new year to you too!
I have a water spray bottle and spray the brake cleaner excess with water in an effort to neutralize the brutality of the fluid. 🤣
Not a bad idea.
Happy new year best wishes and thanks for this years videos Andy ..........james
+James Lauder Thanks James, and the very same to you and yours!
Hey I think starting from the closest caliper was the right choice... Service manual does not explicitly state the order but it does give images and instructions based on the 1st one saying that same procedure applies to the 2nd.
I know that all over the Internet the most popular thought is to take the furthest point first, but I don't see clear explanation why. What I'm thinking is that when you bleed the closest caliper that contains some trapped air, it's possible to let it into the 2nd line, that's why it needs to be taken care of last.
There it is - "first bleed the right caliper" says the manual
Every day is a school day! :D I'll know for next time!
Looks like I'll be doing this while the bike is garaged this winter. Any chance you'll be bleeding the rears also? Great videos!
+Grant Powers Cheers Grant! The rears are of course on the list. I had planned to do them at the same time but used too much brake fluid on the fronts!
Very informative mate. You made it look easy.
+A Brit A Blonde A Bike Thanks mate. Sadly its not my ability, it just is easy! 😆
Shorty brake levers with a big adjustable span work well on a versys. At least under heavy braking you wont pin your pinkie and ring finger to the bar if you 2 finger brake. Of course if you use your whole hand or don't cover the brakes you're better off with stock lenght. If you do stay with stock, it's possible to put a shim at the adjuster cam/pin (make sure its secure!) to allow greater travel if your hands are big enough to reach it. I can recommend a well made chinese shorty for your versys if you like (Have em on mine) or if you have the cash Pazzo are hard to beat.
+Bobby Backmarker Thanks very much Bobby. I've been on the lookout for shorty levers for a while now. I hate the whole pinning your pinky against the bars thing. Problem is brake levers have to be approved for the machine here in germanland. Which makes them expensive. Might try the shim idea though as i have orangutan hands! Cheers for the top tips!
If you seriously want a set of Hel brake lines, try their website, let them know you'll give them an honest review on TH-cam, and I bet they'll oblige. They did just that as a sponsership deal for a guy I work with, who races his ZZR1400 at British Drag Racing meets, (check out Mark (Wolfie) Smith, probably on TH-cam somewhere. Gave him plenty of stickers too! By the way, they're made locally to me in Devon as far as I know! Brilliant easy to follow video's, keep them coming! RSM8
Thanks Ian! That's a great tip. I'll drop them a line and see what they say. :D
good job done, and nothing went wrong
+robert robhog Thanks Robert. Weird right!
Whaw, mine is 11yrs old should do this on my er6f
I reckon you probably should! You might be surprised by the improvement!
Interesting.. No bleeding at the ABS block? My R1100S drank 1.5litres for a full bleed and stainless line swap out. Wondered where the hell it was going :D
+MrDanSouth Nah! Low level lazy bleed! Mostly just wanted to know that some new juice was in there before the mountains. Mine used up pretty much the whole bottle. More tubeage than meets the eye! Though i see why the ABS stainless brake line kits cost so much more than non abs!
I couldn't get the air out just from the calipers, even under vacuum! The BMW ABS is a 4 pipe kit, was £140 including all the fittings, copper washers and bolts. Peace of mind, like you say..
What about the rear fluid?
+Gary Wilson It was on the menu, but sadly used to much juice in the front and couldn't be certain i had enough for the back. Also, as ever i was pressed for time so the backs just had to wait! They'll get some attention soon enough though.