Bleeding the Brakes on a 2016 Honda NC700X
Shop parts for a 2016 Honda NC700X Motorcycle.
How the NC700X Brake System Is Set Up
The 2016 Honda NC700X stops with hydraulic disc brakes at both ends, so the front lever and the rear pedal each push fluid through a line to a caliper. There is no cable-operated drum brake on this motorcycle, which means both circuits can be bled in your own garage using the same basic technique. Honda built the NC700X in both non-ABS and ABS forms, and the ABS version carries a considerably more complex hydraulic layout with internal passages and, on some versions of this model, a combined function where the front lever also influences the rear circuit. If your bike wears an ABS badge, a routine fluid refresh through the caliper bleeders is still the normal approach. But if the reservoir has ever run dry, a line has been opened, or the ABS unit has been disturbed, air can sit where a hand lever will never push it out. That job belongs at a dealership. The same applies if your bike has the combined layout and you are not confident about the required order — those systems have more bleed points than a plain setup, and getting the sequence wrong leaves air behind.
When a Bleed Is Due
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it pulls moisture out of the air over time. That moisture lowers the fluid's boiling point, and a boiled fluid creates vapor that behaves exactly like air in the line — the lever goes soft right when you need braking most. Because of this, many riders refresh the fluid on a schedule even when nothing feels wrong. On top of that, bleed the system any time you notice a spongy lever or a mushy pedal, a lever that now travels closer to the grip than it used to, or fluid in the reservoir that has turned dark or cloudy. Any repair that opened the hydraulic circuit — new lines, caliper service, master cylinder work — also demands a bleed before the bike goes back on the road.
What to Gather Before You Start
- Fresh brake fluid of the type printed on your master cylinder reservoir cap, from a sealed container. Do not substitute a different type.
- A box-end wrench that fits the bleeder valve snugly.
- Clear tubing sized to grip the bleeder tightly, plus a catch bottle to hang it in.
- Rags or shop towels, and a syringe or turkey baster for lifting old fluid out of the reservoir.
- The correct driver for the reservoir cap screws.
- Optional but helpful: a one-way check-valve bleeder or a vacuum bleeder, both of which make a solo job far less fiddly.
Prepping the Bike and Protecting the Finish
Get the NC700X secure on a stand so it cannot tip while you are working the lever. Turn the handlebar until the front reservoir sits level, then drape rags over the tank area, the plastics, the instrument cluster, and anything painted below the master cylinder. Brake fluid attacks paint and plastic on contact, so treat every drip as urgent: wipe it immediately and rinse the area with water. Keep the cap on the reservoir until you are actually ready to open it, and never leave an open container of fluid where it can be knocked over.
Bleeding the Front Brake
- Remove the reservoir cap and diaphragm, then use the syringe to draw most of the old fluid out. Leave a little at the bottom so you do not push air into the line.
- Top the reservoir up with fresh fluid from the sealed container.
- Push the clear tubing onto the front bleeder valve and route the other end into the catch bottle, with the bottle positioned so you can watch fluid move.
- Squeeze the front lever and hold it against the grip.
- Open the bleeder about a quarter turn. Fluid and any trapped air will push out through the tube.
- Close the bleeder fully before you release the lever. Releasing with the valve open pulls air straight back in.
- Repeat the squeeze, open, close, release cycle, checking the reservoir level every few pulls and topping it off so it never runs low enough to draw air.
- Keep going until the fluid arriving in the tube is clean and free of bubbles, then finish with the lever held in and the bleeder closed.
If your bike carries two front calipers, bleed them one at a time rather than trying to do both at once. A sensible habit is to start with the caliper farthest from the master cylinder and work back toward it.
Bleeding the Rear Brake
- Confirm the rear reservoir is level and accessible, and protect the surrounding bodywork with rags.
- Remove the cap and diaphragm and lift out most of the old fluid with the syringe.
- Refill with fresh fluid and fit the clear tubing over the rear bleeder, running it into the catch bottle.
- Press and hold the brake pedal.
- Crack the bleeder a quarter turn to release fluid and air.
- Close the bleeder before letting the pedal return.
- Continue the cycle, topping off the reservoir as you go, until the fluid runs clean and bubble-free.
Finishing, Checking, and Test Riding
Snug the bleeder down firmly without overtightening it — you want it sealed, not crushed. Fill the reservoir to the level marking, reinstall the diaphragm and cap, and wipe away every trace of spilled fluid. Look closely at the bleeder and at the banjo fittings for weeping. Then check the feel: the lever and pedal should be firm and consistent, and should not slowly sink while you hold steady pressure on them. Spin each wheel to make sure nothing is dragging. Take the bike to a quiet lot and test the brakes at low speed before riding normally.
When to Stop and Take It In
If the lever refuses to firm up after several rounds of bleeding, if it only firms after pumping, if bubbles keep appearing no matter how long you work, or if you find fluid weeping from the master cylinder or a caliper, stop and have the bike inspected. Any suspicion that air reached an ABS unit or a combined brake circuit is also a shop job. There is no shame in handing over a safety-critical system — a properly bled NC700X brake is worth the wait.
Related Shopping Categories
Shop Brake Fluid for a 2016 Honda NC700X Motorcycle.
Shop Brake Lines for a 2016 Honda NC700X Motorcycle.
Shop Brake Pads for a 2016 Honda NC700X Motorcycle.
Shop Stands for a 2016 Honda NC700X Motorcycle.
Shop Brake Tools for a 2016 Honda NC700X Motorcycle.
Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace your motorcycle's official owner's manual. Always refer to your manufacturer's documentation for model-specific instructions, torque specifications, safety procedures, and maintenance requirements. If you are unsure or inexperienced, consider seeking assistance from a qualified mechanic or technician.
