Alright gents, forgive me as I know this has probably been answered before. I recently installed a set of 16" apes on my 07 Heritage. I have her all buttoned up and can't seem to bleed to front brakes at all. The brake lever is spongy all the way to the grip. I've tried all I know to do, tried a power bleeder, collapsed the pistons in the caliper, etc etc. I'm missing something and I don't know what it is. I currently have the bars all the way to the left, with the MC cover off, reservoir full and the lever zip tied to the rear trying to build pressure. I've read through the service manual that offers about a paragraph on how to bleed the brakes. I'm assuming since this I'm installing a new line that the bleeding process takes a bit longer than it would to simply change out the pads. Any help you gents can muster is greatly appreciated.

S/F
Molon Labe

 

Get yourself a "Mity Vac" brake bleeding pump kit. They cost about $30. Also, speed bleeders work great too. They have a check valve that won't let air back in the line. I'm sure you can find a "how to" video on YouTube.

 

Exactly. And if you want total solidity, don't RUSH the process; let bubbles work their way up. Another trick is to not pump it, but just tap lightly not moving the lever far at all, unless you're using the speed bleeder. My HF unit works fine.
For a stubborn sucker, top off and let sit overnight so all the micro bubbles come up to the res. You'll be surprised how much air was in there you couldn't see.
Again, some tubing from the bleeder submerged into a jar full of fluid and you have a speed bleeder.

 

There are tips on bleeding in the DIY section Stickys. In summary, persistence and patience pays!

 

Mity Vac is the way to go in my opinion. Fill the resivior, leave cap off, attach mity vac, pump up a couple time to create a vacume then open bleeder. Reapeat the process a few times. Make sure resivior doesnt run dry.

 

Speed bleeders and patience are the way to go.

 

Instead of zipping them under pressure zip them in about half an inch this opens the passage between the line and the resivior. Front breaks will almost bleed them self, if you have any pressure just ride it.
+2 or 3 on the mity vac