Typical Pre-season blues

[Bob_VT]

Stored my BMW K1100LT motorcycle in a friends garage over the LONG winter and kept the battery maintainer connected. Went to start it up and the battery did not have the guts. I ordered the new battery and installed it ....... started right up!

Had the old battery tested and it had a bad cell.

Took the bike off the center stand to ride it home (just 2 miles) and no front brakes....... I knew the front master cylinder was leaking when I stored the bike and had the parts on my computer desk since last November.

Took apart the master cylinder yesterday and replaced the seals and plunger. What a mess I had on my hands. After removing the plastic covers and getting to the actual cylinder there were crystals of brake fluid all over.

After about an hour of cleaning and polishing the master cylinder I got it back together and now have great brakes!!

Talk about built up crap....... Brake fluid does not like moist air exposure ......... I am ready now.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Typical Pre-season blues

Yep, I have an old VW rail buggy with the drum brakes and the brake fluid, wheel cylinders, lines, etc. seem like always gumming up or screwing up somehow....years ago I found that simply bleeding the brake system several times a year seems to help a lot....seems that brake fluid has an affinity for water/moisture....maybe you can try bleeding your lines?....I just put a clear plastic fuel hose with a loop tied in it to the bleed nipple and pump away.....brake fluid is dirt cheap.....

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Typical Pre-season blues

Oh trust me a full flush of the brake system is in my plans just to keep the lines clear. It's an ABS system so it takes a bit more work.

Yes brake fluid sucks moisture from the air....... my problem was a bad front master cylinder and fluid had been leaking for some time. That small rubber boot is "hidden" from sight being under a brake lever which also has a plastic trim around it.

When I flush brakes I use clear fish tank tubing and pump into a bottle. Yes seeing what was removed is a good idea.