How To Bleed 2018 Honda CBR600RR ABS Motorcycle Brakes

How to Bleed the Brakes on a 2018 Honda CBR600RR ABS

Know the System Before You Open It

The 2018 Honda CBR600RR ABS uses hydraulic disc brakes at both ends, and the ABS designation means there is an ABS modulator in the hydraulic circuit. A routine caliper bleed is still the normal way to refresh fluid and remove air from the calipers and lines, but the ABS unit changes what you should do if the reservoir has run dry or if the ABS unit or its lines have been disconnected. On CBR600RR ABS models, Honda has also used combined braking layouts with additional bleed points and a prescribed sequence. This article covers the standard caliper bleed used for routine fluid service. If you are not certain about the combined-system sequence, or if air may have entered the ABS unit itself, stop and have a shop perform that portion of the job.

When a Brake Bleed Is Due

A spongy or soft front lever, a rear pedal that feels longer than usual, or a lever that pulls closer to the grip than it used to are classic signs that air or old fluid is affecting the system. Dark or cloudy fluid in the reservoir is another reason to bleed. So is any recent work that opened the hydraulic system, such as new brake lines, caliper service, or master cylinder work. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which lowers its boiling point and can contribute to brake fade under hard use. Many riders refresh the fluid on a regular schedule even when the brakes still feel normal, because a system that feels fine on short rides can behave differently when it gets hot.

Tools and Supplies for the Job

• Fresh brake fluid of the type marked on the master cylinder reservoir cap, from a sealed container
• A box-end wrench that fits the bleeder valve
• A length of clear tubing that fits snugly over the bleeder
• A catch bottle for the old fluid
• Rags or shop towels, plus a syringe or turkey baster for removing old fluid from the reservoir
• A screwdriver or driver that fits the reservoir cap screws
• Optional: a one-way check-valve bleeder or vacuum bleeder to make one-person bleeding easier

Set Up for a Clean, Safe Bleed

Support the CBR600RR securely upright on a stand so the reservoirs sit level and the bike cannot tip while you are working. Turn the handlebars so the front reservoir is level before you open it. Cover painted surfaces, plastics, and the instrument area with rags, because most brake fluids damage paint and plastic on contact. If fluid spills, wipe it up immediately and rinse the area with water. Keep the fresh fluid container closed when you are not pouring from it, and do not reuse fluid that has been sitting open or has been bled through the system.

Bleeding the Front and Rear Hydraulic Brakes

Work on one bleed point at a time. If your bike has two front calipers, bleed one caliper at a time rather than opening both. General practice is to start with the caliper farthest from the master cylinder; if the line routing makes that unclear, do not open both at once. On a combined-ABS bike, the front and rear may interact through the modulator, so follow the correct sequence if one is specified. If you do not have that sequence, keep the job to a routine caliper flush and send sequence questions to a shop.

1. Open the reservoir and use the syringe or turkey baster to remove most of the old fluid. Do not let the reservoir run dry.
2. Refill the reservoir with fresh fluid of the type marked on the cap, leaving room for the diaphragm and cap to be reinstalled later.
3. Attach the clear tubing to the bleeder valve and route the other end into the catch bottle. The tubing should fit snugly so air cannot be drawn in around it.
4. Squeeze and hold the front lever, or press and hold the rear pedal, to build pressure. Keep it held while you open the bleeder.
5. Open the bleeder about a quarter turn and let fluid and air escape through the tube. Watch for bubbles and for the color of the fluid.
6. Close the bleeder before you release the lever or pedal. Releasing first can draw air back into the system.
7. Repeat the squeeze, hold, open, close, and release sequence until fresh, clean, bubble-free fluid comes through the tube.
8. Keep topping off the reservoir throughout the procedure so it never runs low enough to draw air into the master cylinder.
9. If your bike has two front calipers, repeat the same sequence on the second caliper, then recheck the first one if the lever still feels soft.
10. Move to the rear hydraulic brake and repeat the same bleed sequence at the rear caliper, keeping the rear reservoir topped off as you work.

Finishing the Job

When the fluid runs clean and bubble-free, tighten the bleeder snugly without overtightening it. Fill the reservoir to the correct level marking, then reinstall the diaphragm and cap. Clean any spilled fluid from the calipers, lines, and surrounding bodywork, and check for leaks at the bleeder and at the banjo fittings. A small weep at a bleeder is usually a sign that it is not seated snugly; a leak at a banjo fitting means that fitting needs attention before the bike is ridden.

Test and Troubleshoot Before Riding

The front lever and rear pedal should feel firm and consistent, not spongy, and they should not slowly sink under steady pressure. Spin each wheel to confirm the brakes are not dragging. Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area before riding normally. If the lever will not firm up after several bleeding attempts, if it firms only after pumping, if bubbles keep appearing, or if fluid is leaking from the master cylinder or caliper, stop and diagnose the problem. Any situation where air may have entered an ABS unit or a combined brake system is a good reason to take the CBR600RR ABS to a shop rather than continuing to pump fluid through the calipers.

Related Shopping Categories

Shop Brake Fluid for a 2018 Honda CBR600RR ABS Motorcycle.

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Shop Brake Tools for a 2018 Honda CBR600RR ABS 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.