Regarding the vacuum pump bleeder, that works fine, but the issue I had is
that sometimes I would see bubbles in the line, and it would be hard to
tell if they were actually bubbles from the brake line, or just air getting
sucked in around the bleeder screw.

I purchased an inexpensive pressurized bleeder from Schwaben, which has
been more convenient.

I think it was this one:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben-parts/compact-european-pressure-brake-bleeder/018222sch01a/

I've got a soft pedal too.  I replaced a brake line and only bled that
corner...maybe some air got all the way up into some other lines?  Hmmm...

Alex