Yamaha Raider Front Braided Brake Lines

**Caution** Brake fluid EATS paint!

Before you start this project please read the entire page FIRST

I used the Galfer brake line kit for the Raider...Galferusa.com

Wrong or right...This is what I did...

1. Remove the top of the brake reservoir.

2. See pic 1. Locate the bleeder valves on each brake calipers, each caliper has one. They are covered with a small black rubber cover. Just pop them off.

Pic 1

 

3. See Pic 2. I used a vacuum hand pump that's used for bleeding brakes. You can pick one up in an auto parts store for about $30 to $40. You don't have to use this. It's just easier sucking out all of the old brake fluid instead of letting it run out and getting all over everything...especially if you're a clutz like me.

Once you get the tube on the fitting loosen the bleeder valve about 1/2 to 1 full turn and start pumping. Do this until you can't get any more brake fluid out and then tighten the fitting. Repeat this same process on the other brake caliper.

Pic 2

 

4. Next thing to do is to remove your brake lines. BEWARE...brake fluid will eat paint so be careful!

5. I purchased a Galfer Braided Brake Line Kit made specifically for the Raider. You can get them online. Just do a search for: galfer brake lines. Several sites will come up. The kit comes with all of the parts you need AND it's already put together. To make it stupid proof (for people like me) they even put a tag on each line telling you what side it goes to. If you screw this up you shouldn't be riding a motorcycle.

6. See Pic 3. When you put a banjo bolt (the bolt with the holes in it for the brake fluid to go through) thru the brake line fitting make sure you put a copper washer on each side before attaching.

Pic 3

 

7. See Pic 4. Look at your Raider where the single brake line comes off the brake reservoir. Follow it down to where it T's off into 2 lines. This is the area you need to look closely at. In that lower plate where the T attaches you'll see 3 small bolts. You can see 2 of them here. One on each side of the T. These 2 bolts hold the plate on. There is a 3rd small bolt located behind the T. There is a nut welded on inside the plate. It does nothing. How do I know this? I took the entire plate off and looked. Anyway...

I connected the T first BUT I didn't want to use all the stock stuff that was under there so here's what I did. I removed that 3rd (unseen in this Pic) small bolt, found a little bit longer one in my spare parts, used 2 small washers, and mounted the T to the plate where it originally came off of. The 3rd unseen bolt is gone because it would have been in the way.

Then I connected the lines to each caliper with a banjo bolt and 2 copper washers.

Then I routed the upper line where it had been routed before and connected it to the brake reservoir.

I forgot to tighten the connection where the single line comes into the T. Duh! So naturally I started leaking brake fluid until I found my bone headed mistake.

Once everything was tightened up I filled the brake reservoir with DOT 4 brake fluid. Using the hand pump (see pic 2) I bled the left side, then the right side, then went back over to the left side and bled it again just to make sure all the air bubbles were gone.

When you're bleeding the brakes it's IMPORTANT to make sure the brake reservoir never runs dry. If it does you gotta start all over bleeding the brakes again.

Pic 4

 

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