Break oil?

[RavenX]

I'm pretty sure the container on the right handle bar and the one under the seat is for the front and rear breaks.  If I'm wrong please let me know. Anyways, I got my 04 500f used and haven't touched the two oil containers at all.  How often should I check on it, anything important that I need to know about them? thanks.

[Egaeus]

No, they're for brake fluid. 

Just giving you crap.  There should be a window on the handlebar one where you can check the level.  If either gets low, you should check the pads if there's no evidence of a leak.  Brake fluid should be changed every two years. Kerry has a how-to for it, but I don't know where it is. 

[bbanjo]

Check the fluids now and see if they are within the marks on the resiviors. I check the lines that they pump through on a regular basis (front brake res on the top of the right bar more often than the other) but if the hoses are in good shape, and there is fluid in the resivoirs you should be good to go.

Brakes are good! 

[Phaedrus]

Here is Kerry's tutorial that Egeuas was talking about:

http://www.bbburma.net/HowTo/BrakeFluid_Replace/

It is very detailed, thorough, and easy to follow. If you are low on fluid or it has been 2 years (you said it is an 04, right?) you might want to flush the fluid and replace it with fresh. I recently did mine and noticed an improvement in braking. More responsive.

Remember you want a bottle of fresh, unopened DOT 4 / DOT 4 COMPLIANT fluid  I used Valvoline synthetic DOT 4 compliant. Worked well so far.

[ashman]

Becareful to not get any fluid on yur paint, it will do a number on it.

-ash

[LimaXray]

You also must know that brake fluid level drops as your brake pads wear.  If the brake fluid appears low, check your brake pads to make sure you still have plenty of pad left.

[RavenX]

Here is Kerry's tutorial that Egeuas was talking about:

http://www.bbburma.net/HowTo/BrakeFluid_Replace/

It is very detailed, thorough, and easy to follow. If you are low on fluid or it has been 2 years (you said it is an 04, right?) you might want to flush the fluid and replace it with fresh. I recently did mine and noticed an improvement in braking. More responsive.

Remember you want a bottle of fresh, unopened DOT 4 / DOT 4 COMPLIANT fluid  I used Valvoline synthetic DOT 4 compliant. Worked well so far.

wow, thanks for the link! I read through that and it really does seem easier than I thought.  As for the break pads, do I have to replace them every 2 years when I change the brake oil?  If now, how much wear and tear on the pads can be considered safe and when is it considered time to change?  Any links on how to change break pads?  thanks in advance

[LimaXray]

I did a search and couldn't find any good brake pad how-tos.  Anyone know of a good one?

How long brakes last and how often you need to replace them depends on your area and your riding style.  Take a look in the calipers and see how much friction material is left on the brake pads.  I can't give you a good recommended measurement of how much material there should be, but I usually get on changing brake pads when there is <~10% of the original material left.  For me I guess it's more of a balance between getting the most out of my pads and trying not to destroy my rotors, but that's cause I'm very lazy and a little cheap. 

I would suggest buying the manual, it will tell you the recommended minimum brake pad material as well as how to change them.

[Grainbelt]

quick, somebody change the title to brake fluid.   

seriously, thanks for the reminder. Need to do that soon.

[3imo]

BTW--  if your Brake "oil" is not clear, Change it.  and yes, that goes for yellow too.

its not good to drain it completely, but not bad either.  if you get a $7 brake bottle, you won't have to empty it just replace it.
fill the reservior and pump until ats low and then fill and pump. do it until you've replaced all the bad oil.
one small bottle should serve for both reserviors, unless you screww up.

its very simple and doesn't require a degree in mechanics.

good luck.  and try to make a how- to for the board. 

[3imo]

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?categorycode=3378&mfrcode=APO&mfrpartnumber=T71658



here is the bleeder bottle I was talking about.  the magnet will hold it on your brake disc.  it works great.

[Alphamazing]

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?categorycode=3378&mfrcode=APO&mfrpartnumber=T71658



here is the bleeder bottle I was talking about.  the magnet will hold it on your brake disc.  it works great.

We have something similar to that in the garage at home. It has a hand operated pump with a vacuum guage on the back end of a resevoir bottle. Just hook up the tubing to the bleeder nipple and suck the air out with the pump. Eaaaasy.

[Phaedrus]

I have the exact bleeder kit that 3imo posted; I even bought it from the same place. I've used it on my car and the bike, and it worked quite well. Worth the $6 or whatever it was