HI have only been riding since the late spring. This is my first bike. It does NOT have ABS (I've heard air can get trapped in the ABS system...this is not my issue).
Several months ago, I changed the brake fluid. I initially had air sucked into the front brake line, but it eventually came back out the other side. The rear brake caliper initially seemed to be "sticking" a bit after the fluid change, but now no longer sticks at all and I can freely rotate the wheel when cleaning the chain.
I had a recall on something NOT brake related. While there, the mechanic told me my brakes needed work because they felt "spongy". They then quoted me a whopping $650 for an 8k mile service. I told them I'd think about it. They said they could knock off some items if I am doing things myself but still. I'd like to see if I can figure it out myself.
I tried to re-bleed them for a while yesterday, but no air came out of the lines. The brakes feel the same. I tried tapping on the brake lines a bit as well. Still no bubbles come out.
I do not have a pneumatic bleeder. Instead I do this method. 1. Pump brake a few times then hold down, 2. Open bleeder valve for a few seconds, 3. Close bleeder valve, 4. Release brake.
The brake pads have plenty of meat left on them, also confirmed by the mechanic.
However, a new thing that just developed after attempting to re-bleed is that the rear wheel now squeals when rolled backwards. Not sure if that has any relation.
Since this is the only bike I've owned, I also don't really know how they are "supposed" to feel. This is how they've always felt ever since owning the bike before I even changed the fluid.
Bike is from 2017. The fluid looked dirty when I initially got the bike in spring of 2026, so I don't know how old the fluid in the bike was.
Any ideas? Would you mind explaining for someone not super well-versed in mechanical things? All of this bike maintenance stuff is new to me!
Thanks all!
No, it doesn't seem to feel firmer after a few pumps. It's the same after pumping them.
Some people on another community were trying to tell me about the zip tie overnight method. Do I bleed them again after doing this?
I'm not sure what kind of caliper. How do I tell if the pins are "sticky"?
Honda rebel right? Looks like sliding calipers to me. If pumping doesn't produce a firmer feel, it doesn't need any further bleeding. Does the lever come all the way to the bar when you try stopping hard? What bike are you comparing the feel to?
No, I cannot pull the front brake lever to the bar when stopping hard. I can only do it when I open the bleed valve during bleeding. The rear brake lever doesn't seem to hit an obvious "wall" like the front one does tho. It just gains more resistance as I push down on it, but eventually I cannot push it down any further (unless I open the bleed valve). I think the rear brake may actually be "soft", but the front brake is probably fine.
Unfortunately that's the problem. I don't have a bike to compare to. This is my first bike and I've been riding it since around May/June. It was the mechanic who said the brakes were spongy. I took a couple day MSF course a while back but I can't remember much about the differences in the brakes other than the MSF bike (brand new) felt more sudden to stop...but I also didn't have fine motor control yet for the controls.
In that case just ride it, maybe go on ride outs and keep an eye out for other rebel riders and grab their levers.