Changed brake pads -- question

[Dr. D]

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?

[Howie]

Tell us what you did when changing the pads.  How you got air in the line changing brake pads may be an important clue.

[Dr. D]

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?

[Dr. D]

Got it fixed.  Removed the front calipers, removed the pads, cleaned things properly (  ), reassembled, and life is good.  Didn't even need to bleed line.  That makes me think it was a stuck pad and/or piston.