Adding brake fluid

[senior micro]

I am about a third down on fluid in my rear brake reservoir. The Clymer manual says to keep the brake fluid reservoirs full. Also, according to the manual, adding brake fluid to the rear brake reservoir is slightly more complicated than changing a lightbulb. Just clean the cover thoroughly, remove two screws, remove cover and diaphragm, add DOT 4 fluid from a freshly opened bottle, replace diaphragm and cover, replace screws and tighten. I have never had to do this before on my GS, so I'm wondering if there are any pitfalls not mentioned in the manual (diaphragms make me nervous, for some reason).

[JetSwing]

hey, you might want to search the forum. there are a few good threads on this subject.

[scratch]

Put the motorcycle on the centerstand before taking off the cover.

[callmelenny]

Don't accidently add it to the blinker fluid resevoir


Brake fluid is hard on paint, have a rag handy in case you spill some.

[DINGO]

If the fluid is old dont just top it up! bleed it! can save you a lot of $$$ later [do the front to]                                                                                                                 good luck....next time!

[scratch]

Expecially, if the fluid is already two or more years old. Brake fluid should be replaced/flushed every two years. Same thing with fork oil; it makes a world of difference in the feel and action of the forks!

[RedShift]

If you're down on brake fluid, then you should flush the system as well toping it up.

Kerry has a great article that leads to through Replacing Brake Fluid on a GS500.  It's worth the 40 minutes to do it.

And keep an eye on the system.  Loss of fluid usually means something is not tight or needs replacing.

[phire]

Is it common to slowly "leak" brake fluid? Or should you not lose a drop until your next flush?

[Crim]

Is it common to slowly "leak" brake fluid? Or should you not lose a drop until your next flush?

Your brake mastercylinder might be leaking where your rear brake pedal actuates it.  Theres a rubber boot on it, check it for leaks.

Then the rear caliper could be leaking fluid from around its rubber boots.

I'd check these ASAP, brake fluid shouldn't just disappear.  It takes 10 mins to flush the brake system so I would do this as well.

[phire]

Is it common to slowly "leak" brake fluid? Or should you not lose a drop until your next flush?

Your brake mastercylinder might be leaking where your rear brake pedal actuates it.  Theres a rubber boot on it, check it for leaks.

Then the rear caliper could be leaking fluid from around its rubber boots.

I'd check these ASAP, brake fluid shouldn't just disappear.  It takes 10 mins to flush the brake system so I would do this as well.

Well, I don't actually *have* a leak but I was just wondering in case I ever had to "top off" the fluid if I should worry about a leak or not. hehe

[Jace009gs]

ya double check the rubber master cyl. seals, check the line connections...sometimes thoe brass washers shrink  or vibrate loose..

Also make sure the bleeder valves are closed tight after you flush the system.

O an the rubber seal on the resivor cap dons't have any cuts in it does it?

[Phaedrus]

Has anyone used SynPower High Performance Synthetic Brake Fluid ? Or any other fully synthetic / non-conventional brake fluid? Any reason not to?

I have it in my car and it works well, but I was thinking about doing a brake flush (been two years already!) this weekend and buying another bottle of this same stuff.

[ASIA 1]

Do not add extra brake fluid in brake reservoir!
because brake cylinder rubber will coming down
by vacuum when used the break, if the break cylinder
show you the lower level that's mean you should check
your brake pad maybe need to replace it.


if the break fluid leaking clean it with water immediately
this is the best way!

[Turd Ferguson]

Do not add extra brake fluid in brake reservoir!
because brake cylinder rubber will coming down
by vacuum when used the break, if the break cylinder
show you the lower level that's mean you should check
your brake pad maybe need to replace it.


if the break fluid leaking clean it with water immediately
this is the best way!

Garth...that was a haiku!

I'd bet his pads haven't warn enough to cause the level to drop that much...but...yes.  If the pads are REALLY low, I could see how this could cause the brake fluid level the be low.

Oh, and its BRAKE.  A "break" is something you take around 10:00 AM and it involves drinking coffee.

-Turd.

[Egaeus]

Has anyone used SynPower High Performance Synthetic Brake Fluid ? Or any other fully synthetic / non-conventional brake fluid? Any reason not to?

I have it in my car and it works well, but I was thinking about doing a brake flush (been two years already!) this weekend and buying another bottle of this same stuff.

I have a bottle of the SynPower that I'm going to try.  I got a big one, so I'll be doing truck and motorcycle flushes soon, as well as brake pad replacement all around.  It says it's compatible, so there's no reason not to use it that I can see.  Don't use the DOT5 Silicone stuff though.  It's not compatible with DOT3 or 4. 

Is it common to slowly "leak" brake fluid? Or should you not lose a drop until your next flush?

No, and it should be corrected ASAP.  However, your brake fluid reservoir will *seem* to slowly lose brake fluid.  This is due to the wear of the pads.  As they wear down, more brake fluid will stay in the calipers behind the pistons.  This will result in a reduction of the fluid level in the reservoir.  Unless it gets below the minimum, don't add brake fluid, as it will overflow when you go to change your brake pads and compress the piston in order for the new pads to fit.