Yesterday I changed the brake pads (front and rear) on my M696. This was my first time changing motorcycle brake pads. Gosh, they really needed replacing, especially the front. Anyway, I goofed up a little and got air in the front brake line. After I get done bleeding the front brake line, I notice that the bike is noticeably harder to push than previously. I know that brake pads skim the rotors without the brakes applied, but the drag seems more than I am used to. Is this normal with new pads? Maybe I goofed up something else?
Oh, and now the right front caliper makes noise when I squeeze the brake lever. Huh?
Tell us what you did when changing the pads. How you got air in the line changing brake pads may be an important clue.
I believe the air got in either when I was removing the pads, or when I first went to bleed the line. One suggestion I read was to take the top off the brake fluid reservoir to make pushing the pistons back in easier. The reservoir did overflow when I pushed the pistons in (cleaned up that spill). I had difficulty getting the top back on; I don't think it was secure when I started the bleeding. Then when I went to bleed at the left caliper, i loosened the banjo bolt when attempting to loosen the bleed nipple. That would have introduced air, which I thought I had gotten out, but maybe not.
To what level should the reservoir be filled to before putting the top on?
Got it fixed. Removed the front calipers, removed the pads, cleaned things properly ( [roll] ), reassembled, and life is good. Didn't even need to bleed line. That makes me think it was a stuck pad and/or piston.