One note here that was probably just left out:
don't clamp your good brake hoses, get some from a junk yard for this
"safety clamp" test. If you crimp your hoses enough to stop the fluid, you
will damage the hose and it will fail (in likely an unpleasant way). In
fact, the weight of the caliper alone (while you change out pads for
example) is a no-no if you go by the books, although I've seen it done.

-Arthur

Yes Arthur is right, clamping down on brake hoses is not a "recommended" thing
to do in most cases. It was also a warning that Woodchuck mentioned too!

I do wonder why tools are sold to do this specific service? 8^)
One of them here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=34011

New hoses are not super expensive for your ride, and if you find one that has
failed you could replace it or all of them. I hope that they are not swelling
up and causing your low brake pedal problem.
The hose shut off clamp (buy 4) and the hoses might even cost less than all of
the brake fluid that you ran through your brake system! ;-)

BTW this was just a suggestion to isolate parts of the brake hydraulic system
for testing purposes and I did mention "carefully". :-)
later,
dave
Reminder........
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way,
when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their
shoes. Frieda Norris