the brakes work fine, it's just that the first pedal push always goes a bit deeper than the second.

 

It sounds like you've got air in your lines. You may have to bench bleed the MC first and then do a regular bleed at each wheel.

Troy

 

one more question - each caliper came with 2 brass washers and i have no idea what they are meant for. the outside diameters are about the size of a penny.

 

Those washers are for the brake line connection...keep things from leaking.

 

Definitely use the washers. Sometimes the old one will stick to the caliper and othertimes it sticks to the brake line connector. Double check your calipers and lines to make sure you have washers installed. I would keep bleeding until you have a solid pedal. As you bleed, I would not totally empty the MC, as that could be the source of introducing more air into your brake line system.
You probably will need some assistance from someone to help you bleed the brakes. Open the brake bleeder, have someone slowly push down on the brake pedal until it reaches the floorboard. Be careful, fluid and/or air will shoot out of the bleeder valve. Close the brake bleeder valve. Then tell the person to slowly let the brake pedal rise back to its original position. If you don't close the valve and the pedal is released you will suck air back into your line and caliper.

 

Bleed at one spot as you work your way around the vehicle and always get up and go refill the MC before you bleed at the next wheel. That way you WON'T empty the MC...or have a 2nd person stand there and monitor it as you bleed and fill as necessary. I had my wife actually help me...no idea what she was doing so I told her it was like pouring sweet tea in a cup...when it went down, fill it up.

 

what color is the fluid supposed to be, mine is a bluish green tint...dirty?