I’ve taken my Multi 1200DVT out for the first time in 2 months and the front brake needs bleeding. The garage says it’s common with Multistrada’s. I’ve heard some people say they are hard to bleed. Anyone know the best way to do it?
I assume it has ABS? The reason I ask is that for the Panigale they recommend the first thing you do is push the pads back in the calipers because this pushes fluid up through the system and can push air out of the ABS pump.... then you just bleed the m/c in the normal way. If you just bleed the m/c you won’t release any air in the ABS pump (if there is any).
As bradders says, check the top nipple first. air collects at the master cylinder and its a simple / quick job to just crack the nipple open while applying light pressure, let any air out, do it up and jobs a good un. Have to do this regularly on the clutch master cylinder (I carry a short length spanner and bit of tissue on the bike, then do it if necessary at fuel stops while the others I am with are still fannying about paying)
I’d put a cable tie or bungee on it overnight, then release the brake and bleed the top nipple on the brake. On the clutch, my multi used to get done every 1000 miles or so because it would become grabby
I had air in the front of my (ABS) monster, would pump up on second lever pull and passed the MOT but I wasn't happy with it. Kept on bleeding from top nipple and would get maybe one small bubble but brake was still soft on first application. Tried the overnight tie back too. Eventually decided it was the master cylinder, so started to empty the system from the R/H brake nipple and lo and behold on second full pull of the lever, loads of air! That was two months ago and brake still really firm so my guess is there was air in maybe the ABS pipe that was released with high fluid flow from the R/H nipple?
I've read multiple times that bleeding the brakes on the Multi doesn't get air out of the ABS pump, and that separate actuation using various methods is required, but I don't understand this. Can someone please explain in more detail? I thought that all brake fluid flows through the pump, just like it does on a car, so bleeding the brake lines still clears out the pump. I've never heard anyone say that they can't get air out of an ABS pump on a car.
Roberto, it is the rear brake that is the issue in this regard because both the slave and master cylinders are below the abs pump. It therefore follows that any air generally migrates to the highest point in the system. If you use a vacuum or pressure bladder you should get it all out, but actuating the and is required when filling from dry to purge any air from the pump.
I think with the ABS bikes, the method I've always used (on non ABS) of pumping up the system then cracking the nipple does not move sufficient fluid through the pump and lines. The fact that I'd also bled the front brakes and not seen any air but brake was still soft on first application indicates a lot more fluid flow in needed to move the air in the ABS out line. In fact the same as clutch cylinder bleeding, where opening the nipple fully, always moves the air down the line - pretty obvious in hindsight
I used a vacuum bleeder and the $$$ SRF fluid on my bike last time. Followed the canyonchasers video for Mushy Multistrada brakes video on youtube. I used to have to put a band (I used a slide of bicycle inner tube) around my lever overnight. Haven't had to do that since. As for the ABS, I contacted Bosch directly to ask about it. Their response is pasted in this other forum thread: https://www.ducati.ms/forums/44-mul...ake-when-all-else-has-failed.html#post6945559
Thanks for your feedback guys... I first bleed the master cylinder, then the offside Caliper and finally the nearside caliper. Air came out of all 3 and now the front brake is fine. If I’m going to leave the bike for more than a couple of weeks I’ll do as suggested and tie the lever back to stop it happening again.
1st time, tie it back overnight. Use something elastic. It will often go to the bar. Let it up, then pull it back and band it again, that will get the rest of the air out of it usually. Second time it won't go to the bar and will be a firm brake.
If Only, thanks for 'disliking' my 2nd post in response to mroberto I have no idea why you dislike it, but I stand by what I've said, the problem associated with the ABS pump is to do with the rear brake, not the front one.
I normally use a zip tie to tie it back but put a rag on the handle so it doesn't cut into the rubber Would agree with john in that the stradas brake problems seem to focus like most ducati's, on the rear
