1987 Kawasaki klf300a front brakes

[Sketchy]

87 klf 300a no brake handle pressure.  I've replaced the master cylinder, vacuum bled both sides and am getting clear fluid out with no air bubbles.  There are no signs of fluid leaking anywhere, but still cannot get handle pressure.  I pulled the hubs to check the shoes and cylinders and all looks normal.  This system was dry when i bought the machine, but dont know for how long.  Any suggestions to where I should look next??  I'm baffled.

[Mech]

Perhaps the adjustment is not right on the shoes. You could try adjusting the brakes up till the wheels wont turn, then see if you have pressure. Or, put a clamp on each brake hose and that will eliminate brake shoe movement which means any lack of pressure is a hydraulic problem.

It could be that you still have air in the system..  Because the hoses run near vertical, bubbles of air can keep rising up and not flush through if the bleeding is done too slowly.. Clamping one hose at a time might help by making all the fluid go to one wheel at a time, meaning it's more likely to carry the bubble down to the wheel cylinder and out. I always bleed brakes by pumping up the pressure, then while still holding the pressure on, release the bleeder as far and as soon as I can..  If we pump up pressure, but then hesitate, bubbles can be rising up the pipes and not get spat out.

[Admin]

Added year and manufacturer to topic title

[Sketchy]

That's one I didn't do,  adjust the shoes up.  I'll try that .

[Sketchy]

I set the shoes up today, enough to put drag on the drums, did another bleed, lo and behold, I have pressure at the handle.  Thanks for the tips and the education.

[Mech]

Good one.