Kawasaki Z1000 Motorcycle User Manual


 
PERIODIC MAINT EN ANCE 2-39
Periodic Maintenan ce Procedures
Brake Line Bleeding
The brake fluid has a very low compression coefficient so
that almost all the movement of the brake lever or pedal
is transmitted directly to the caliper for braking action. Air,
however, is easily compressed. When air enters the brake
lines, brake lever or pedal movement will be partially used
in compressing the air. This will make the lever or pedal feel
spongy, and there will be a loss in braking power.
WARNING
Be sure to bleed the air from the brake line when-
ever brake lever or pedal action feels soft or
spongy after the brake fluid is changed, or when-
ever a brake line fitting has been loosened for any
reason.
NOTE
The procedure to bleed the front brake line is as follows.
Bleeding the rear brake line is the same as for the front
brake.
Remove the r eservoir cap and diaphragm.
Fill the reservoir with fresh brake fluid to the upper level
lin
einthereservoir.
With the reservoir cap off, slowly pump the brake lever
several times until no air bubbles can be seen rising up
thr
ough the fluid from the holes at the bottom of the reser-
voir.
Bleed the air completely from the master cylinder by this
op
eration.
Remove the rubber cap from the bleed valve on the
caliper.
At
tach a clear plastic hose to the bleed valve, and run the
other end of the hose into a container.