When the routine of bleeding a motorcycle brake system began to feel like a never-ending chore, Martin Maszull finally reached a breaking point. He recalls constantly scraping fresh paint off a caliper and sparring with his girlfriend over spilled fluid. Determined to end the cycle, he engineered a one-way brake bleeder valve that lets fluid flow out without ever being drawn back in. The device attaches to the standard bleeder hose, and when the rider squeezes the lever, the fluid exits cleanly, leaving painted surfaces untouched.
The invention that silenced the garage
The new valve, illustrated by an arrow-marked caliper in the original diagram, replaces the traditional bleeder screw. By incorporating a quick-disconnect hydraulic fitting mechanics can swap a caliper or even an entire master cylinder without having to re-bleed the system. This not only speeds up service time but also reduces the likelihood of corrosive brake fluid damaging fresh paint. The design quickly earned a reputation for eliminating the profanity-laden outbursts that once echoed in workshops worldwide.
Thomas Modlmeier: From Munich mechanic to U.S. distributor
At 62, Thomas Modlmeier had already lived a life steeped in two-wheel culture. He started on mopeds at 16 in Munich, rode his first motorcycle at 18, and eventually settled on a BMW 75/6 that traveled with him across continents. After a stint repairing collisions for BMW in Manhattan, he grew tired of the Northeastern weather and embarked on a three-week, coast-to-coast drive from Queens to San Diego. In Southern California he joined Penske, refined his riding setup on a Triumph 675, and embraced a philosophy of building rather than buying. A chance encounter on a return trip to Germany sparked a friendship with Maszull, who described Modlmeier as “a brother.” Their shared enthusiasm for hands-on work led to a partnership that positioned Modlmeier as the U.S. distributor for Stahlbus.
Building a niche in the American market
Since the partnership began, the bleeder valve has become the cornerstone of Modlmeier’s inventory, which regularly sits between $80,000 and $150,000 in stock. The valves simplify a normally tedious procedure: attach the hose, pump the lever, and watch fluid exit without any back-flow. This one-way operation is especially valuable when working on painted components, as it prevents the highly corrosive fluid from splashing onto fresh finishes. Over time, the product attracted attention beyond motorcycles. At trade shows, Modlmeier heard from helicopter pilots, mini-submarine builders in Washington, and other hobbyists curious about repurposing the valve for unconventional uses. While the device was not originally designed for aviation or marine applications, its reliability sparked a wave of creative adaptations.
Expanding the business footprint
Beyond the signature bleeder valve, Stahlbus also offers quick-disconnect oil change valves that let technicians replace fluids without draining the entire system. To accommodate growing demand, Modlmeier purchased land in Rising Fawn, Georgia, where real-estate costs were far more manageable than in Southern California. He plans to construct a 30-by-50-foot facility that will serve as both a workshop and showroom, engineered to withstand regional weather extremes, including tornadoes. His wife, Heather Modlmeier, handles parts logistics, ensuring that orders move swiftly from warehouse to workshop. For Modlmeier, the venture is more than a business; it is a legacy project designed to keep him occupied in retirement and to provide a ready-made enterprise for future generations.
Today, the Stahlbus brand quietly powers maintenance on bikes across the United States while also finding homes in helicopters, underwater craft, and other niche equipment. The journey from a frustrated garage mechanic in Munich to a thriving trans-atlantic operation exemplifies how a small, well-engineered solution can spark a global community of enthusiasts and innovators alike.
