1

Bleeding the Honda Fireblade C-ABS System

Note
Although this system is known as Combined, there is no hydraulic connection between the front & rear.

Important Notes
When the detailed processes refer to the LEFT & RIGHT bleed nipples on the front & rear Valve Units, this
is as viewed when facing the left hand side of the bike. The diagrams are in plan view which may lead to
confusion. Make sure you understand which nipple is correct before proceeding.

Before starting this process, ensure the battery is in good condition & fully charged. Do not leave a charger
or battery conditioner connected to the battery during the process as this may damage the C-ABS ECU.
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Main Components

This is the C-ABS Check Notes

Connector. It is located behind the
service panel as shown. It may be
necessary to lift the battery to aid
It is assumed that the braking
proper access. It is shorted with a system already contains
jumper wire as shown after fluid; filling from dry is not
removing the dummy connector. covered.

Always bleed the unit

This is the Fuse Box from where
upstream of the part which
the two fuses are removed during has been worked on.
the process. It is located under the
front seat adjacent to the battery. In This process does not make
this photo, the appropriate fuses use of the front M/C bleed
have been removed.
nipple; I bled it last,
conventionally, using the
Front Brake Lever.
This is the Rear Valve Unit. It is
located under the front seat Each bleed step should be
adjacent to the battery. The followed until no air can be
simulator side bleed nipple is on the seen & each part is
right. The power side bleed nipple
is on the left.
thoroughly flushed.

Each section can be

completed independently (I
This is the Front Valve Unit. It is think).
located behind the plastic cover on
the left hand side of the bike; the It is assumed that suitable
gear linkage rod will need to be
removed. The simulator side bleed
bleeding equipment is
nipple is on the right. The power available, together with
side bleed nipple is on the left. knowledge of conventional
bleeding.

This is the Front Power Unit. It is Removal & refitting of parts

located under a heat shield, which to enable access to the
sits above the oil filter & has one
braking components is not
bleed nipple. For easy access, a
suitable long tool can be used; see covered.
the additional photos on page 17.
Bleed Nipple Torque Settings

Front Valve 5.4 Nm

This is the Rear Power Unit. It is Front Power 5.4 Nm
located under the front seat & has
Front Calliper 8.0 Nm
one bleed nipple. For proper
access, the petrol tank will require Rear Valve 5.4 Nm
removal. Rear Power 5.4 Nm
Rear Calliper 6.0 Nm
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Detailed Process Front Valve Unit & Normal Lines

(This section excludes the Power Unit; jump to page 6 if the Power Unit is to be bled also)

Note:
1. Ensure the battery is in good condition.
2. Do not switch OFF the ignition or remove the Jumper Wire during the process. Once started, if the
process in not completed, restart from the beginning of the section.
3. Ensure the fluid reservoir is monitored & kept topped up

Remove fuses H/LIGHT START 20 A & STOP/HORN WINK RLY 10 A

Bleed air from both Front Calliper Bleed Nipples in the conventional way using the Front Brake Lever

Ensure the ignition is switched OFF

Remove the Dummy Connector & short the C-ABS Check Connector with a Jumper Wire

Perform the following procedure within 5-seconds

If the indicator does not start blinking, turn the ignition OFF & repeat the procedure again.
On the final pull of the Front Brake Lever, it should come back to the bar as if all pressure is lost & a distinct
sound should be heard.
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Bleed the Simulator side bleed nipple of the Front Valve Unit (Right) using the Front Brake Lever

Bleed the Power Unit side of the Front Valve Unit (Left) using the Front Brake Lever

Apply & Release the Rear Brake Peddle

The system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking two times.

Squeeze & hold the Front Brake Lever (Do not release)

Apply & Release the Rear Brake Peddle

The system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking three times.

Release the Front Brake Lever

Connect a bleed hose to the Bleed Nipple on the Front RIGHT Calliper (Open nipple a little)

Apply & Release the Rear Brake Peddle

A small amount of fluid will be expelled from the Front Right Calliper accompanied by a distinct noise. The
system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking four times.

Close the Bleed Nipple

Continue to bleed air from the Front Right Calliper in the conventional way using the Front Brake
Lever

Apply & Release the Rear Brake Peddle

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The system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking five times,
then change to long blinking.

Turn the ignition OFF & disconnect the Jumper Wire

Turn the ignition ON & wait for the initial operation to complete (about 5-seconds); then turn the
ignition OFF again

Repeat this ON/OFF procedure FIVE times to clear any stored malfunction

Reinstall the Reservoir Cap

Test ride the bike to check brake operation

This section is now complete.

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Detailed Process Front Power Unit, Valve Unit & Normal Lines

Note:
1. Ensure the battery is in good condition.
2. Do not switch OFF the ignition or remove the Jumper Wire during the process. Once started, if the
process in not completed, restart from the beginning of the section.
3. Ensure the fluid reservoir is monitored & kept topped up

Remove fuses H/LIGHT START 20 A & STOP/HORN WINK RLY 10 A

Gain access to the Front Power Unit Bleed Nipple by removing appropriate fairings & radiator or by
using suitable long reach tools.

Bleed air from both Front Calliper Bleed Nipples in the conventional way using the Front Brake Lever

Ensure the ignition is switched OFF

Remove the Dummy Connector & short the C-ABS Check Connector with a Jumper Wire

Perform the following procedure within 5-seconds

If the indicator does not start blinking, turn the ignition OFF & repeat the procedure again.
On the final pull of the Front Brake Lever, it should come back to the bar as if all pressure is lost & a distinct
sound should be heard.
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Bleed the Simulator side bleed nipple of the Valve Unit (Right) using the Front Brake Lever

Bleed the Power Unit side of the Valve Unit (Left) using the Front Brake Lever

Bleed the Power Unit using the Front Brake Lever

Bleed the Power Unit side of the Valve Unit (Left) using the Front Brake Lever

Apply & Release the Rear Brake Peddle

The system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking two times.
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Squeeze & hold the Front Brake Lever (Do not release)

Apply & Release the Rear Brake Peddle

The system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking three times.

Release the Front Brake Lever

Connect a bleed hose to the bleed nipple on the Front RIGHT Calliper (Open nipple a little)

Apply & Release the Rear Brake Peddle

A small amount of fluid will be expelled from the Front Right calliper accompanied by a distinct noise. The
system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking four times.

Close the Bleed Nipple

Continue to bleed air from the Front Right Calliper in the conventional way using the Front Brake
Lever

Apply & Release the Rear Brake Peddle

The system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking five times,
then change to long blinking.

Turn the ignition OFF

Perform the following procedure within 5-seconds

If the indicator does not start blinking, turn the ignition off & repeat the procedure again.
On the final pull of the front lever, the lever should come back to the bar & a distinct sound should be heard.

Bleed the Power Unit using the Front Brake Lever

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Bleed the Power Unit side of the Front Valve Unit (Left) using the Front Brake Lever

Turn the ignition OFF & disconnect the Jumper Wire

Turn the ignition ON & wait for the initial operation to complete (about 5-seconds); then turn the
ignition OFF again

Repeat this ON/OFF procedure FIVE times to clear any stored malfunction

Reinstall the Reservoir Cap

Test ride the bike to check brake operation

This section is now complete.

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Detailed Process Rear Valve Unit & Normal Lines

(This section excludes the Power Unit; jump to page 13 if the Power Unit is to be bled also)

Note:
1. Ensure the battery is in good condition.
2. Do not switch OFF the ignition or remove the Jumper Wire during the process. Once started, if the
process in not completed, restart from the beginning of the section.
3. Ensure the fluid reservoir is monitored & kept topped up

Remove fuses H/LIGHT START 20 A & STOP/HORN WINK RLY 10 A

Bleed air from the Rear Calliper Bleed Nipple in the conventional way using the Rear Brake Peddle

Ensure the ignition is switched OFF

Remove the Dummy Connector & short the C-ABS Check Connector with a Jumper Wire

Perform the following procedure within 5-seconds

If the indicator does not start blinking, turn the ignition OFF & repeat the procedure again.
On the final push of the rear peddle, it should go straight down as if pressure is lost & a distinct sound should
be heard.
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Bleed the Simulator side bleed nipple of the Valve Unit (Right) using the Rear Brake Lever

Bleed the Power Unit side of the Valve Unit (Left) using the Rear Brake Lever

Apply & Release the Front Brake Lever

The system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking two times.

Apply & hold the Rear Brake Peddle (Do not release)

Squeeze & Release the Front Brake Lever

The system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking three times.

Release the Rear Brake Peddle

Connect a bleed hose to the bleed nipple on the Rear Brake Calliper (Open nipple a little)

Squeeze & Release the Front Brake Lever

A small amount of fluid will be expelled from the Rear Calliper accompanied by a distinct noise. The system
will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking four times.

Close the Bleed Nipple

Continue to bleed air from the Rear Calliper in the conventional way using the Rear Brake Peddle

Squeeze & Release the Front Brake Lever

The system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking five times,
then change to long blinking.
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Turn the ignition OFF & disconnect the Jumper Wire

Turn the ignition ON & wait for the initial operation to complete (about 5-seconds); then turn the
ignition OFF again

Repeat this ON/OFF procedure FIVE times to clear any stored malfunction

Reinstall the reservoir cap

Test ride the bike to check brake operation

This section is now complete.

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Detailed Process Rear Power Unit, Rear Valve Unit & Normal Lines

Note:
1. Ensure the battery is in good condition.
2. Do not switch OFF the ignition or remove the Jumper Wire during the process. Once started, if the
process in not completed, restart from the beginning of the section.
3. Ensure the fluid reservoir is monitored & kept topped up

Remove fuses H/LIGHT START 20 A & STOP/HORN WINK RLY 10 A

Bleed air from the Rear Calliper Bleed Nipple in the conventional way using the Rear Brake Peddle

Ensure the ignition is switched OFF

Remove the Dummy Connector & short the C-ABS Check Connector with a Jumper Wire

Perform the following procedure within 5-seconds

If the indicator does not start blinking, turn the ignition OFF & repeat the procedure again.
On the final push of the rear peddle, it should go straight down as if pressure is lost & a distinct sound should
be heard.
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Bleed the Simulator side bleed nipple of the Valve Unit (Right) using the Rear Brake Peddle

Bleed the Power Unit side of the Valve Unit (Left) using the Rear Brake Peddle

Bleed the Power Unit using the Rear Brake Peddle

Bleed the Power Unit side of the Valve Unit (Left) using the Rear Brake Peddle

Squeeze & Release the Front Brake Lever

The system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking two times.

Apply & hold the Rear Brake Peddle (Do not release)

Squeeze & Release the Front Brake Lever

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The system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking three times.

Release the Rear Brake Peddle

Connect a bleed hose to the bleed nipple on the Rear Brake Calliper (Open nipple a little)

Squeeze & Release the Front Brake Lever

A small amount of fluid will be expelled from the Rear Calliper accompanied by a distinct noise. The system
will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking four times.

Close the Bleed Nipple

Continue to bleed air from the Rear Calliper in the conventional way using the Rear Brake Peddle

Squeeze & Release the Front Brake Lever

The system will now move to the next step in the procedure & the indicator will begin blinking five times,
then change to long blinking.

Turn the ignition OFF

Perform the following procedure within 5-seconds

If the indicator does not start blinking, turn the ignition OFF & repeat the procedure again.
On the final push of the rear peddle, it should go straight down as if pressure is lost & a distinct sound
should be heard.
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Bleed the Power Unit using the Rear Brake Peddle

Bleed the Power Unit side of the Valve Unit (Left) using the Rear Brake Peddle

Turn the ignition OFF & disconnect the Jumper Wire

Turn the ignition ON & wait for the initial operation to complete (about 5-seconds); then turn the
ignition OFF again

Repeat this ON/OFF procedure FIVE times to clear any stored malfunction

Reinstall the reservoir cap

Test ride the bike to check brake operation

This section is now complete.

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Home-made tool for bleeding the Front Power Unit without removal of the radiator & headers.
Three separate, interlocked box spanners which reduce to 8mm at the nipple end, a suitable tube fed
through the centre & a ring spanner.