Successfully!
Quite a while back I bought a Mityvac* vacuum brake bleeder. Largely because the back brakes on 748/996's, even when they are working, to their limited degree, don't stay solid for long. And partly because the bike's getting to the age where I really ought to be tackling some of the relatively straightforward routine maintenence jobs myself.
As the back brake had disappeared to absolutely nothing lately (all that happens is the pedal hits the fairing), I decided that the brake bleeder ought to stop gathering dust under the stairs.
I mean, I've watched Louigi do it plenty of times: how hard can it be?
Well the answer is, if you've got one of those things, it's no trouble at all!
Boldly ignoring the advice of the Haynes manual
This procedure will be easier with the aid of an assistant I set to, and the job was done in no time. I extricated the caliper from the wheel, and hooked it over the near-side pillion footrest, which seemed at a convenient height to get the nipple as high as possible. Two or three pumps with the vacuum bleeder, then a couple of pumps "conventionally" at the pedal, and the pedal is now as solid as you like.
So I thoughly recommend this excellent bit of kit. Anything that makes the difference between it being a into-the-dealers job, and a DIY job (quick-relaese sprocket carriers are the same, in my opinion), soon pays for itself.
Might be a while before I'm brave enough to tackle the front brake and clutch, though...
* I bought mine direct from the States off ebay. And, maybe I was just lucky, but I didn't get hit for any import duties or such-like either. Cost me about £55 all in, IIRC. I believe they're the best part of 100 notes retail in the UK.
[Edited on 25-4-2005 by moto748]