Brake reservoir leaks

128auto · #1 07-01-2008, 11:51 PM

Took my Fatty for a ride this morning, found the front brake master cylinder cover paint has bubbles on it. Damn, it must be leaking, I checked after the ride, see a bit of fluid coming from the rubber seal. I am glad that I found it earlier, if the brake fluid spills on the paint, I can't imagine. I think I am getting a chrome cover tomorrow, it is $29 w/gasket.

chop09 · #2 07-02-2008, 12:14 PM

Yep had mine leak also....new gasket helped.

Dorkman · #3 07-02-2008, 01:49 PM

Could be overfilled, or fluid not checked after pad replacement.&nbsp\\; I believe the fill level is around one-eighth inch below the gasket surface.

BigJohn Fatboy · #4 07-02-2008, 01:55 PM

Same thing happened to me except the brake fluid did get to&nbsp\\;the paint.&nbsp\\; Me and the dealer are gonna have a sitdown about this one.

128auto · #5 07-02-2008, 02:12 PM

It could be, I can't see why it leaks, not even under pressure.

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Dorkman

Could be overfilled, or fluid not checked after pad replacement.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; I believe the fill level is around one-eighth inch below the gasket surface.

Steeltoe · #6 07-02-2008, 08:56 PM

I had the same problem on my Heritage. I grabbed a screwdriver to pull the cover and check the fluid level and found the screws tighter than I thought they should be (from the factory).
I checked the manual ( ALWAYS RTFM!!!!) and the torque spec is 6-8 inch/lbs. The level was OK, so I put the cover back on and tightened the screws to the proper torque.
No more leak!!!

spike95 · #7 07-02-2008, 11:16 PM

I had the same problem.&nbsp\\; I replaced the gasket and cap and it still did it.&nbsp\\; I finally coated the area where it seemed to be leaking, along with the screw hole, in&nbsp\\;RTV silicone.&nbsp\\; Problem fixed.&nbsp\\; The paint on my controls has failed some&nbsp\\;because of the leak.&nbsp\\; Luckily it never got on the fender or tank.&nbsp\\;

128auto · #8 07-03-2008, 12:12 AM

I am going to remove the cover and check fluid level tomorrow, worst come to worst, I will lower the fluid level, just enough to cover the master cylinder. What else can you do? [&:]

anubisss · #9 07-03-2008, 12:21 AM

Sounds like a good place to start.&nbsp\\; NEver have had a leak with mine but it might jsut ahve been overfilled or not tight enough, or maybe even too tight.

corey01 · #10 07-03-2008, 01:28 AM

Friend of mine pointed out my reservoir was leaking also, after further investigation I found the cover was put on inncorrectly after dealer service.
The cover is tapered and the thicker end of the taper needs to be oriented torwards the throttle. Check proper torq and everything should be good to go.