Method of bleeding a braking system

Abstract

A lever assembly and a master cylinder are provided. The lever assembly includes a lever and an adjuster mechanism that changes the mechanical advantage of the lever. The reach of the lever relative to a handlebar can be adjusted. Both the mechanical advantage and reach of the lever can be adjusted without tools and while a vehicle including the same is operated. The master cylinder includes a reservoir in a clamp area. A reservoir bladder fits into the reservoir. A cover encloses the bladder and includes a vent opening making the bladder at atmospheric pressure such that air can move into the bladder and out of the bladder. The master cylinder can be bled without reorienting the master cylinder. A method of adjusting a mechanical advantage of a lever and a method of bleeding a braking system without reorienting the master cylinder are also provided.

1 . A method of bleeding a braking system of a vehicle comprising: 
 (A) opening a lower bleed port and an upper bleed port of the braking system;    (B) adding new brake fluid under pressure to the lower bleed port;    (C) displacing old fluid from the braking system through the upper bleed port without reorienting the master cylinder; and    (D) closing the lower and the upper bleed ports.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displacing step comprises displacing old fluid until new fluid flows through the upper bleed port.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing air from the braking system.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising guiding air to the upper bleed port.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the guiding step comprises guiding air with a sidewall of the reservoir.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the guiding step comprises guiding air with a rib on a bladder disposed in the reservoir.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the guiding step comprises guiding air with a sidewall of the reservoir and a rib on a bladder disposed in the reservoir.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displacing step comprises displacing old fluid from the braking system through the upper bleed port without loosening the master cylinder.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displacing step comprises displacing old fluid from the braking system through the upper bleed port without removing the master cylinder from its operating position.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displacing step comprises displacing old fluid from the braking system through the upper bleed port without removing a cover of the master cylinder.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displacing step comprises displacing old fluid from the braking system through the upper bleed port without removing a bladder in the reservoir of the master cylinder.  
     
     
         12 . A method of bleeding a braking system of a vehicle comprising: 
 (A) opening a first bleed port and a second bleed port of the braking system;    (B) adding new brake fluid under pressure to the first bleed port;    (C) displacing old fluid from the braking system through the second bleed port without reorienting the master cylinder; and    (D) closing the first and the second bleed ports.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the displacing step comprises displacing old fluid until new fluid flows through the second bleed port.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising removing air from the braking system.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising guiding air to the second bleed port.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the guiding step comprises guiding air with a sidewall of the reservoir.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the guiding step comprises guiding air with a rib on a bladder disposed in the reservoir.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the guiding step comprises guiding air with a sidewall of the reservoir and a rib on a bladder disposed in the reservoir.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the displacing step comprises displacing old fluid from the braking system through the second bleed port without loosening the master cylinder.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the displacing step comprises displacing old fluid from the braking system through the second bleed port without removing the master cylinder from its operating position.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the displacing step comprises displacing old fluid from the braking system through the second bleed port without removing a cover of the master cylinder.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the displacing step comprises displacing old fluid from the braking system through the second bleed port without removing a bladder in the reservoir of the master cylinder.