Front brake reservoir

dogdad · Nov 7th, 2009, 12:07 AM

Got a new rear brake pad put on at my HD dealer,,,,got home and cleaned the bike,,,,then noticed that the front brake reservoir is corroding from the brake juice,,,, which is a replacement for the leaking factory reservoir that came with the bike. Anyone else having issues on this?? Would it matter if I got the chrome replacement instead?

NEWHD74FAN · Nov 7th, 2009, 12:48 AM

Don't know the year of your bike, but if it uses Dot 4 brake fluid, it is Ethylene Glycol based and corrosive once the anticorrosion elements in the fluid breakdown over time and mixes with water which is heavier and gets trapped in the lower areas of the braking system. By all means read the DOT type fluid on the cap, and if the corrosion happens to be in the cap only consider yourself lucky as replacements are fairly inexpensive. Replacing the whole master cylinder with a chrome one will help, but if your bike is dated, you may consider replaceing the lines, crossover and other hardware while you are at it.

The real key here is, to routinely FLUSH the system with fresh brake fluid every 2-3 years...from the farthest point to the nearest pioint to the m/c. Your bike and braking system will reward you with long life, "dragging brakes" and mantenance. I buy Castrol DOT4 in big jug and flush all my vehicles. But my Sporty uses DOT 5 so I just buy a small bottle use the whole thing to bleed and flush both braking systems entirely (Dual caliper fronts and Single caliper out back).

dogdad · Nov 7th, 2009, 08:43 AM

It's an 08 RK......just find it difficult to take in that I have to a replace the brake reservoir for a second time (making it the third one on the bike) because of leaking and corrosion.

Hobbit · Nov 7th, 2009, 01:32 PM

dogdad you are not alone i am on number 2 on the Bob and shortly be on number 2 rear on the bob and 2 on the front of the glide.
the gasket its part of the issue, as it does not appear to seat properly on any of my master cylinders

glider · Nov 7th, 2009, 02:20 PM

The gasket is indeed a problem. If you tighten the cover screws more than they are supposed to be tightened (just snug), it mis shapes the gasket and it leaks. Seems they could come up with a better system for this if they tried.

glens · Nov 7th, 2009, 07:25 PM

They could use screws that break away once the proper torque is applied. They could look real nice like those under the HDI RK handlebar cover.

NEWHD74FAN · Nov 8th, 2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glens

They could use screws that break away once the proper torque is applied. They could look real nice like those under the HDI RK handlebar cover.

GlenS is being facetious...

as I can feel his frustration from the RK thread! I think just about everybody agrees ANY breakaway screws either by design (or not) is NOT a crowd pleaser and definitely will be dealt with severely with anger most righteous...with fire and brimstone vetted by Harley riders everywhere...

Wish I could remember that famous line from Pulp Fiction that Samuel Jackson said right now...

Hobbit · Nov 8th, 2009, 07:49 AM

Ezekiel 25

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG

STEVE07 · Nov 8th, 2009, 09:17 AM

I am now on my 3rd. front brake resevoir.the first one because of leakage,second one cracked at the left rear corner.I think they cracked it when they installed it because I noticed a slight seeping after the first day.

Hobbit,by your post above I see you are a fan of the movie Pulp fiction

dogdad · Nov 8th, 2009, 09:41 AM

Well I paid the difference and got the "bling-bling" top put on . A little more chrome won't hurt and I was told the chrome won't corrode.....Curious to see how many more times I'll be changing this new one out.

Nov 7th, 2009, 12:07 AM	#1
dogdad Play The Throttle Ride: Roadking Classic Join Date: Oct 31st, 2008 Location: La Posts: 176	Front brake reservoir Got a new rear brake pad put on at my HD dealer,,,,got home and cleaned the bike,,,,then noticed that the front brake reservoir is corroding from the brake juice,,,, which is a replacement for the leaking factory reservoir that came with the bike. Anyone else having issues on this?? Would it matter if I got the chrome replacement instead?

Nov 7th, 2009, 12:48 AM	#2
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 3,716 My Mood:	Re: Front brake reservoir Don't know the year of your bike, but if it uses Dot 4 brake fluid, it is Ethylene Glycol based and corrosive once the anticorrosion elements in the fluid breakdown over time and mixes with water which is heavier and gets trapped in the lower areas of the braking system. By all means read the DOT type fluid on the cap, and if the corrosion happens to be in the cap only consider yourself lucky as replacements are fairly inexpensive. Replacing the whole master cylinder with a chrome one will help, but if your bike is dated, you may consider replaceing the lines, crossover and other hardware while you are at it. The real key here is, to routinely FLUSH the system with fresh brake fluid every 2-3 years...from the farthest point to the nearest pioint to the m/c. Your bike and braking system will reward you with long life, "dragging brakes" and mantenance. I buy Castrol DOT4 in big jug and flush all my vehicles. But my Sporty uses DOT 5 so I just buy a small bottle use the whole thing to bleed and flush both braking systems entirely (Dual caliper fronts and Single caliper out back). __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

Nov 7th, 2009, 08:43 AM	#3
dogdad Play The Throttle Ride: Roadking Classic Join Date: Oct 31st, 2008 Location: La Posts: 176	Re: Front brake reservoir It's an 08 RK......just find it difficult to take in that I have to a replace the brake reservoir for a second time (making it the third one on the bike) because of leaking and corrosion.

Nov 7th, 2009, 01:32 PM	#4
Hobbit Moderators Ride: 2009 FAST 103 Street Bob Join Date: May 18th, 2007 Location: The Shires UK Posts: 7,625 My Mood:	Re: Front brake reservoir dogdad you are not alone i am on number 2 on the Bob and shortly be on number 2 rear on the bob and 2 on the front of the glide. the gasket its part of the issue, as it does not appear to seat properly on any of my master cylinders __________________ Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Nov 7th, 2009, 02:20 PM	#5
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 20,467 My Mood:	Re: Front brake reservoir The gasket is indeed a problem. If you tighten the cover screws more than they are supposed to be tightened (just snug), it mis shapes the gasket and it leaks. Seems they could come up with a better system for this if they tried. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Nov 7th, 2009, 07:25 PM	#6
glens Banned Ride: 09FLHTCU Join Date: Oct 6th, 2009 Posts: 97	Re: Front brake reservoir They could use screws that break away once the proper torque is applied. They could look real nice like those under the HDI RK handlebar cover.

Nov 8th, 2009, 07:49 AM	#8
Hobbit Moderators Ride: 2009 FAST 103 Street Bob Join Date: May 18th, 2007 Location: The Shires UK Posts: 7,625 My Mood:	Re: Front brake reservoir Ezekiel 25 The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG __________________ Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Nov 8th, 2009, 09:17 AM	#9
STEVE07 Moderators Ride: 2007FLHTC Join Date: Oct 4th, 2008 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada Posts: 3,071 My Mood:	Re: Front brake reservoir I am now on my 3rd. front brake resevoir.the first one because of leakage,second one cracked at the left rear corner.I think they cracked it when they installed it because I noticed a slight seeping after the first day. Hobbit,by your post above I see you are a fan of the movie Pulp fiction __________________ Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Nov 8th, 2009, 09:41 AM	#10
dogdad Play The Throttle Ride: Roadking Classic Join Date: Oct 31st, 2008 Location: La Posts: 176	Re: Front brake reservoir Well I paid the difference and got the "bling-bling" top put on . A little more chrome won't hurt and I was told the chrome won't corrode.....Curious to see how many more times I'll be changing this new one out.

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Front brake reservoir

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