Thanks Randy.
I did follow the reommended sequence (or at least the sequence outlined
in a Hanes Manual for 240s).
I think that part of the problem may also have been my helper who was
pumping the pedal for me. I did my brakes one weekday afternoon and the
only person around who I could enlist to help me was a neighbour's
teenaged son.
I don't think I was very successful in conveying the concept of "pump
up and hold till I say "release" to him. I suspect that he may have
just been pushing the pedal all the way to the mat.
In any case, I'm going to try and rig up something with a stick and a
bungee cord (or somesuch) so that I can do it myself.
