81 Interstate Calipers

[Jpettine]

Morning all, doing a restore on my 81 Interstate, trying to bleed brakes after caliper rebuild, seems like the bleeder seat is worn and letting air escape. Anyone know of an aftermarket caliper that will fit the 81? Been looking for OEM, yea right, but nothing is available. Any info or help would be appreciated.

[joecoolsuncle]

bleeder repair kit?
replace bleeder and have machinist recut the seat?
bleed with mighty vac and confirm that the bleeder is , in fact, leaking.

[Jpettine]

The calipers were just rebuilt. they were cleaned and installed new Piston, dust covers, bleeders, bleeder covers, could not get any resistance after bleeding numerous times. I took the calipers apart again today, thinking maybe had some small pieces of rust or whatever, to no avail. I used a vac bleeder and the new bleeder valves are not holding vacuum. I will look into getting the seat recut, not sure its possible. Thanks for the input

[bruce swaybill]

If you are bleeding by adding fluid to the master cylinder and draining at the caliper, then air in the clear drain hose is common. I have learned to go by the feel of the brake lever after the bleeder is closed.
If it’s spongee, there is air in the oil somewhere, if it’s solid, no air.
Air can hide in the joints, especially the fitting at the front master cylinder. I have had to place the bike on the side stand, and turn bars full left to get the master cylinder above the nearing banjo bolt at the end of the hose.
Even then I’ve needed to bleed it both ways to work bubbles out.
Good luck!
Bruce S.

[joecoolsuncle]

sounds like you got screwed on the rebuild. did the rebuilder have a really cool facebook photo of him and his buds leaning slightly backwards on a beach?

[Jpettine]

I had tried the gravity bleed, I have used a vacuum bleeder, I am getting fluid through on both sides, but there is no resistance on the lever. I let it sit, and noticed that even tightened, the bleeder valve is seeping fluid. I think the bleeder seat is bad. As far as getting screwed on the rebuild, I did it myself, not the first or the last set of calipers that I have done, and no I don't have a facebook page, or a picture of me and my buddies leaning slightly backwards at the beach!

[joecoolsuncle]

yep, looks like you have damaged caliper. ebay isyour friend. if not, then if you exhaust your research, then see a machinist. the repir kit is about $7.