I picked up a Sportster that had a leaking front brake. It has sprayed brake fluid all over the left side of the motor. I've tried a few different things to get it off but nothing has worked yet. Does anyone have any advice?

 

Aerosol brake cleaner available at auto parts stores. Then Dish washing liquid and water.

 

I tried spraying it with brake cleaner and scrubbing with a brash brush. It barely took any of the stains off. I find it hard to believe that the brake fluid would stain metal. Any other miracle products anyone has used?

 

What year of sportster?
What kind of brake fluid...DOT 4 or DOT 5?
DOT 5 is silicone based and does not damage most items.
DOT 4 is rather harsh on painted items.

 

The bike is an '02 883. It's got DOT 5 in the system now. Can't speak to what was in it before I flushed it all out and rebuilt the front brake with new pads, seal, and lines.

 

The top of the master cylinder generally tells you what type of fluid to use. Check it out.

 

I know what brake fluid goes in the bike. I'm trying to find a way to get baked brake fluid off the motor.

 

Brake fluid is very hydroscopic, meaning it sucks moisture in very quickly. Ever notice how thick the plastic is on brake fluid containers? That's to keep the moisture from pulling through the container and contaminating the brake fluid.

That being said, you most likely are looking at water stains that have dried brake fluid in them. Looking at pictures of 2002 883's, they have a gray motor with polished fins, is that correct? If it is, you most likely will never get the stains completely out unless you polish the parts with the stains. Aluminum is very porous and as such when it stains, it stains more than just on top of the surface. There are a few things you can try though, just make sure to test these products in an inconspicuous area before trying them on a highly viewable part as it could possibly make the finish worse.

http://www.autogeek.net/sonus-aluminum-restore.html

That stuff has worked the best for me when trying to remove stains from aluminum, but it does leave a very dull finish, so some light polishing - even in the textured areas of the fins - may be necessary.

http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-met...-compound.html

You can try this by hand with a coarse terry cloth towel if it doesn't catch on the texture part of the motor. If it does, find some of these:

http://www.autogeek.net/mothers-detail-brush-set.html

The compound will not leave a high luster shine as long as you use it by hand and not machine. With the brush it will help to get the compound in to the pits that the water has left behind.

Try these, see what you think. It may take a combination of all of these, but they are probably your best bet. Aluminum is its own animal and needs to be treated with just the right products. Good luck, let me know how you make out!

 

Thanks! I'll give these a shot and let you know if it works.

 

Poster might have been trying to assist you in the identification of previous fluid.