Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: scgoan on October 01, 2011, 08:39:03 AM
-
Has anyone installed Speed Bleeders on his/her bike? I'm just about to do fluid change and thought it would be a good idea to install these to encourage me to do more frequent changes. I was wondering if you have installed them, which model number did you install SB8125L or SB8125? Also, I was wondering if you were able to find them locally or did you purchase them online?
Thanks! Shannon
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QVjPVhoPHow" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Speed Bleeder Brake Bleeder Install from Sportbiketrackgear.com (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVjPVhoPHow#)
http://www.speedbleeder.com/ (http://www.speedbleeder.com/)
-
My guess would be the SB8125. While they do list the ZX-14, they don't list the C14 on their site. However, the Kwak part number is the same on both the C14 and the ZX-14. The part numbers would be the same front and rear and clutch. They list the SB8125L for the C10.
I've used them before on my Voyager and C10 without any issues. Haven't used them on my C14 yet.
-
I installed them on my bike. I purchased them from Murphs.
-
+1 WORK GREAT :)
-
If you plan to use Speed Bleeders for the brakes and for the clutch you'll need seven of them. One for each of the front calipers, two for the rear caliper and one each for the brake and clutch master cylinders and one for the clutch slave cylinder. My '09 C14 has SB8125L bleeders installed. Either the shorter or the longer bleeders may be used. I chose the longer item as it allows a bit of extra room for the bleeder hose and adds no reasonable degree of vulnerability due to the increased length. It might be a good idea to use the shorter ones for the brake and clutch master cylinders for cosmetic reasons only.
I wholeheartedly endorse them as I have been using them for many years. I have them installed on both of my cars, on my truck and on three of my motorcycles. They greatly simplify bleeding the brakes, especially on cars and trucks. Motorcycles are very easy to bleed because one person can easily reach the master cylinders and the slave cylinders simultaneously. However, the Speed Bleeders simplify the procedure to the extent that their expense is justified.
I advise one and all to get them, they are truly a great product and worth the expense. In my opinion they should be installed by the manufacturers as standard equipment. Where you get them is up to you. I've purchased all of mine directly from Speed Bleeder with no complaints. However, I've also done business with Murph and cannot fault him either.
-
Thank you very much for that endorsement and information. I just ordered 4 SB8125L Speed Bleeders from Murph and thanks to your information, I'll go and get 2 SB8125 from Napa Auto Parts today.
I thought I only needed four. Thanks again.
-
Thank you very much for that endorsement and information. I just ordered 4 SB8125L Speed Bleeders from Murph and thanks to your information, I'll go and get 2 SB8125 from Napa Auto Parts today.
I thought I only needed four. Thanks again.
Is there a part # to cross reference at NAPA? I haven't been in to pick mine up yet but I couldn't find any matching part numbers on their website. I am due a for a brake and clutch fluid change and had forgotten about ordering these so I need to find them locally.
-
Yes, the SB8125 is M8 x 1.25 which is the same as Napa's Speed Bleeder BK 6751569. Napa sells them for 12.99 for 2.
-
Perfect! That was so much help since I am standing in Napa right now and that beats digging through all the books.
EDIT: They had one package in stock and couldn't get any from another store. I will order mine through Murph and wait to do my fluid change till later this week.
-
The store near me only had one package, too. However, they were more than willing to order more for me. I just thought I'd rather Murph get my business than Napa. Plus, I purchased some Carbone Lorraine pads from him. Now, I just have to order the spark plugs [NGK (6289) CR9EIA-9 Iridium IX Spark Plug] from Amazon and an oem air filter somewhere else online. Any ideas where I should purchase the air filter?
-
Excellent! All good information. :thumbs:
-
I'm not sure why you'd need to replace the valves on the reservoir. I've never opened them up to bleed the brakes or clutch...
-
I have had to use the master cylinder bleeders on both the clutch and brake if the system is allowed to have any air in it, such as when a hose is changed or a caliper or slave cylinder is removed. I have not had any success bleeding the system at the bottom without first bleeding the master cylinder using the top bleeder- and sometimes not even then.
Brian
I'm not sure why you'd need to replace the valves on the reservoir. I've never opened them up to bleed the brakes or clutch...
-
I'm not sure why you'd need to replace the valves on the reservoir. I've never opened them up to bleed the brakes or clutch...
When I installed Phil Ham's handlebar extensions I had to install longer hoses for both the clutch and brake. This necessitated using the bleed screws on both master cylinders as stated by B.D.F.
-
I see no need for them, have no issue bleeding the clutch and brakes.........as is. :o
-
Of course you do!
-
Of course you do!
Duh...........winning!!!!!
-
I have had to use the master cylinder bleeders on both the clutch and brake if the system is allowed to have any air in it, such as when a hose is changed or a caliper or slave cylinder is removed. I have not had any success bleeding the system at the bottom without first bleeding the master cylinder using the top bleeder- and sometimes not even then.
Brian
Again, I really don't see the "need" for SB valves at the reservoirs. The valves are close enough to the source that you could easily use a small wrench to open and close them as you pumped the levers. Just my .02 though...
-
Again, I really don't see the "need" for SB valves at the reservoirs. The valves are close enough to the source that you could easily use a small wrench to open and close them as you pumped the levers. Just my .02 though...
You're right Oregon, there really is no "need" for the Speed Bleeders on the master cylinders as they are indeed easy to bleed with the stock bleed valves. For that matter, they're not "needed" anywhere on the bike as all of the bleeders can be reached with one hand while the other hand operates the levers. However, for the sake of convenience and or uniformity one can replace all of them with Speed Bleeders or just those on the slave cylinders. Considering all of the options and farkles discussed by the forum members, how many of them fall withing the parameters defined by "needed"?
-
Considering all of the options and farkles discussed by the forum members, how many of them fall withing the parameters defined by "needed"?
Well Said!
I plan on geting some when it's time for a change...
love gadgets.
-
Haven't done my C14 yet but a mighty vac works fantastic on all my other vehicles.
http://www.compacc.com/p/Mighty-Vac-Brake-Bleeder/1118000/0 (http://www.compacc.com/p/Mighty-Vac-Brake-Bleeder/1118000/0)
-
That looks more like a star trek phaser...
Mikey likes
-
+1 on the Mighty Vac
-
I used Murph's and it was really easy. Also got the bag for the used fluid and it makes a potential messy job way cleaner.