41 Champ brake problem

[nvonada]

This fall the brakes on my 41 Champion started to feel odd.  The first time I pushed the pedal it would be a little soft but after that it would be fine for several minutes.  Then it would be soft for one stroke again.   The soft pedal was not an air-bubble sort of soft, more like when the brakes are really out of adjustment.    I checked the adjustment and everything is good.  My theory is that the residual pressure valve in the master cylinder was leaking.   So I tore down the master cylinder and rebuilt it.  Then the bottom dropped out of the thermometer and I have not been out since to finish bleeding the brakes so I don't know if I fixed the problem or not.    The forced down time has me wondering if I did not jump the gun rebuilding the master.   Any opinions?  Besides the obvious that I should man up, brave the cold, bleed the brakes, and see for myself?

 

Nathan

[Spinneyhill]

Was the master cylinder fluid level down a little. Sounds like a little leak to me. 

[nvonada]

No, fluid levels were fine.  

[Spinneyhill]

Are they single cylinder at each wheel? If so, did you adjust top and bottom?

[nvonada]

Yes, brakes were centered and adjusted.  I will have to check them again just to be sure.   What I really need is a break in the weather.   I just don't want to go out when it is 10 degrees out!