Topic: Removing stuck/rusted caliper bleeder valve

[Nortstudio]

Gotcha. I'm going to try the acetone method, and then worst case, I'll get one of those cheap torches at hardware store and play it VERY safe...

[steam-powered man]

i warm up the surrounding area, not the nipple itself.  (insert crudeness here  ).   

[Nortstudio]

Crude remark aside, that's a new tip.

So you heat the caliper? Doesn't it make it more likely to blow up?  Closer to the brake fluid?

[DavePhipps]

Good luck to you Norstudio. I went out and bought an 8mm 8point socket today. Mounted the caliper on the bike. Whacked the bleed nipple a few times with a hammer and went at it with the ratchet. The bleeder opened right up with no damage.
I hope it ends up being as easy for you.

BTW, yes I was serious about the nitric acid. It's what some shops use to remove ferrous metal (bolts) from aluminum objects.

[BobbyR]

The acetone and ATF mixture works due to the fact the ATF is highly thinned by the acetone which allows it to work into threads. Acetone evaporates very rapidly allowing the ATF to go back to it;s original viscosity and lubricate the threads. Acetone evaporates in under a minute or two which is why you cannot buy a 50/50 acetone mix commercially. WD40 and the rest are mostly kerosene and solvents.

[steam-powered man]

caliper stays mounted when i heat it, piston can't go anywhere. 

[Nortstudio]

FINALLY!!!  And I mean FINALLY got the blessed valve out if the caliper.

Want to thank all those that helped with tips and tricks. I ended up using the acetone and ATF blend, and then had to use vice grips with cloth because the thing was completely stripped. Hammered it now and again too - but avoided my date with destiny, by way of a blow torch. Next time...

In the photo below you will see the evil nipple, as well as my wrenching assistant in the background . If only I had a sidecar!

PS: TT, there is a nice new rubber cap on top of the new valve I put in there!

[DavePhipps]

WOOHOO!!!!!!
Now bleed those brakes and go for a test ride

[Nortstudio]

I gave up after I got it out because I never grabbed a hose for bleeding!  I guess after taking so long I guess I still thought I had a few DAYS left to grab some

I moved onto other pressing matters, so overall, a great SOHC day.

[BobbyR]

FINALLY!!!  And I mean FINALLY got the blessed valve out if the caliper.

Want to thank all those that helped with tips and tricks. I ended up using the acetone and ATF blend, and then had to use vice grips with cloth because the thing was completely stripped. Hammered it now and again too - but avoided my date with destiny, by way of a blow torch. Next time...

In the photo below you will see the evil nipple, as well as my wrenching assistant in the background . If only I had a sidecar!

PS: TT, there is a nice new rubber cap on top of the new valve I put in there!

Congratulations!!!!!! where did you get the new bleeder, I will be following my own advice in a few weeks.

[cookindaddy]

I got mine from Honda. They are still available. As well as the cap. Reasonably priced.

[Nortstudio]

I learned the hard way that none of the Honda/yamaha/kawi uber dealers in NYC had parts when I called. So I just ordered from bike bandit.

I forgot to mention that making flat side on the completely stripped valve with a dremel really did the trick. Not sure I would have gotten it out if I hadn't done that.

[BobbyR]

Thanks fellas.

[cookindaddy]

Honda dealers don't have the parts for our bikes in stock, but they will order them for you and usually have them the next day. This is usually quicker than buying on-line and their prices I've found are comparable or better than on-line. You have to the part number since the Honda dealers (here in Canada anyway) don't have p/n's in their system before 1979 (go figure).

[Stev-o]

Congrats, you won the battle!

So, you'd like a sidecar like this guy I snapped a photo of?!!?

[Nortstudio]

Nothing would please me more! 

Problem is, my pup is 12 now, so it would need to be more like a dog bed with wheel on it, attached to the side of my bike

This is a great photo though!  She would have loved that, in her day.

[sick50ford]

I should have read this before snapping my bleeder off clean, never seen that happen before.

Can Anyone  tell me the tap size please?