Do you need to bleed the brakes if you're only changing the pads?
Sorry, I was thinking 1300, but, no you are correct. Strictly speaking, you don't have to bleed/flush the system when you change pads. This assumes that the fluid is fresh and less than two years old. As you described the process - push the pistons in I'd say you either were fast on the typing or one of the folks I describe below. You left out what
@Jethro mentioned.
However, since it has been said on this forum that many of us cause our own problems, and I've read so many threads describing brown, thick fluid I think a flush/bleed should be done when the pads are changed. If your mechanic simply pushed the pistons in w/o cleaning them he pushed dirt and abrasive particles into the rubber seals. If the fluid was old, it has absorbed moisture from the air* and can begin to corrode the insides of calipers, steel tubing, and the master cylinder. I've only seen brown brake juice once - on an old Guzzi that I bought. The insides of the calipers were deeply pitted and the pistons were corroded. I threw them away, bought new ones at considerable cost, and became a born again brake bleeder. Since where I live we have a winter break from riding, I service my bike during the cold months. Were I to live in California, I admit it would be harder to take the bike out of service to do routine maintenance.
*Brake fluid is hygroscopic - it absorbs water from the atmosphere, unless of course, you park your bike and ride only in the Sahara or dry areas of the Middle East. In that case, the sand will cause other problems.
