Change brake fluid

Bleeding your stoppers regularly avoids nasty surprises

1 Time for a change?

It may be hidden from view, but the liquid inside your bike’s braking system should never be taken for granted. Over time the fluid degrades and overall performance can be affected, so regular changes are vital. Look in your workshop handbook for the manufacturer’s recommended interval for fluid change. Place the bike on stands so it is upright and level.

2 Protect your paint

Brake fluid is extremely damaging to painted surfaces, so prepare the area around the tank and handlebars for any possible spillage. Cover the tank and headstock area with an old towel, sheet or bike cover. Always have a few sheets of workshop paper towel at hand ready to quickly mop up any drips that find their way on to unprotected areas.

3 Open the reservoir

Wear protective workshop gloves from this point on. Remove the reservoir lid; sometimes it is retained with a screw and locating bracket. When removing the lid do it slowly making sure the diaphragm isn’t going to drop off. Sometimes it will remain in the reservoir; if this is the case gently ease it off and have paper towel to hand to catch any drips.

4 Tweak your nipple

Identify the size of the spanner needed to fit the bleed nipple, it’s usually between 8mm-10mm. Remove the rubber grommet protecting the nipple. Ideally use a ring spanner and place it on the nipple so that it can be loosened a few degrees without hitting anything. Fit the pipe from the bleed kit to the exposed nipple.