What's behind the bore cap on my brake caliper?

[ftasb]

Noob question

I'm thinking bike bling again ;D

If i was to buy nice shiny blue Hope bore caps for my Mono Minis, whilst taking the original black ones off would i be greeted with brake fluid

If so, once the new ones are on i'm assuming that the brakes will need bleeding

[martinw]

Have a look at this- www.hopetech.com/database/mono_mini_caliper_exp.gif

At a guess yeah, you would probably have to drain the fluid. Ive been thinking myself how it would be done.

A man that would know has just joined, mattrevolution.

[ftasb]

Sept 2, 2008 19:39:29 GMT @martinw said:

A man that would know has just joined, mattrevolution.

Ah, would Matt work at a certain bike shop around your neck of the woods by any chance ;D

Come on then Matt, you are now the official forum mechanic, what's behind my bore cap?

[ftasb]

We've got another LBS resident on here as well haven't we?

Who's the geezer who works at Litespeed (sp?)?

[sikora]

Behind the bore cap is the rear of the piston - bore caps allow access to the piston if it ever siezes.............. this means there will be brake fluid, so a fluid change and bleed will be required.

[martinw]

pikey's the other one.

[ftasb]

Rubbish, didn't want that much hassle, or the expense of buying a bleed kit

[martinw]

Im thinking of buying a hope bleed kit, when I do your welcome to use it.

[ftasb]

Sept 2, 2008 20:20:06 GMT @martinw said:

Im thinking of buying a hope bleed kit, when I do your welcome to use it.

Cheers ;D

[xybadog]

I just looked at the split diagram and nearly fainted. That's too many bits for me to remember in which order they go back in. That says to me..."Shop Job"!

[iwan]

ive bled my brakes a few times, its easy man, i got one a bleeding kit for a motorbike from halfords and works perfect, has a no return valve and all

[bikegod]

"Behind the bore cap is the rear of the piston"

Spot on.

"so a fluid change and bleed will be required"

Also spot on.

"Rubbish, didn't want that much hassle, or the expense of buying a bleed kit "

You wont need a bleed kit. All you do is go to Halfords, or a aquarium shop. Buy a length of winscreen washer hose, or airline hose. Then get yourself some Dot 5.1 brake fluid.
Then you attach the hose to the bleed nipple on the caliper, put the other end into a collection pot.
Open the resevoir cap on the lever, make sure the top is level.

Repeat until no more bubbles come out of the caliper
Top up the resevoir, open the bleed nipple 1/4 turn.
Squeeze the lever closed and hold it closed.
Close the bleed nipple.
Release the lever.
Top up the resevoir if necessary.

Occasionaly tap the hose and caliper to dislodge any bubbles.

Thats it, easy and no need for the expensive hope bleed kit. Which on balance makes it harder to get a good bleed.