Leaky Front Master Cylinder?
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Norwich, CT
Leaky Front Master Cylinder?
Weather was BEAUTIFUL here yesterday, mid 60s. Managed to get out on the bike for a ride of more than around the block. Definitely can feel some more power after doing the pipes. When I got home I noticed that there was some fluid spray on my throttle cable adjuster covers, and the back of the mirror. It looked like it is brake fluid, coming from around where the brake lever meets the piston on the MC. I'm just wondering if I should be looking at rebuilding the MC, and if so, has anyone done it? Is it easy, hard?
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Norwich, CT
Going to double/triple check the cover and line for tightness tonight, but pretty sure they are good. Also going to begin reading in the manual on rebuilding it and whatnot, just in case.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 275
Likes: 3
From: Wichita, Kansas
The gasket is designed to breath (small hole and groove on the top), mine was leaking (actually just seeping around the lid) when I first bougth the bike. So I carefully unscrewed the cap, cleaned the rubber gasket and made sure it was set on properly and not popped down... that did the trick, not a leak since.
Last edited by spyderwebb; Mar 13, 2014 at 06:53 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 201
Likes: 2
From: Colombia
Sorry, but I'm not buying it. There's no way it stopped leaking. Every single harley I've seen has the master leaking and peeling off. Since I bought my bike this has been a pain. Changed my seal through warranty, but still leaks. Tried really tight, loose, just barely, you name it, it leaks. In my opinion it's the seal itself that has a designs flaw. Where the screw goes in, there isn't enough rubber to seal the break fluid from the amount of vibration the bike gives off. The only way you won't see it leaking is having a chrome master.
Still waiting on a miracle.
About the breathable part, we'll, it's true it needs to breath, but just so air flushes out break fluid between the cap and the gasket itself. While riding, air will flush out break fluid, cleaning the cap.
This is the only defect I've found on my bike, on all Harley's for that matter.
Still waiting on a miracle.
About the breathable part, we'll, it's true it needs to breath, but just so air flushes out break fluid between the cap and the gasket itself. While riding, air will flush out break fluid, cleaning the cap.
This is the only defect I've found on my bike, on all Harley's for that matter.
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Devil's Advocate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 36
From: Alberta, Canada
Mine was leaking so I ordered a new one. Stealership put it on when they were checking something else out. Tech said trick was to just snug up the bolts. Told me if it ever weeps, remove cap, spray down with brake cleaner (both surfaces of gasket), wipe down edge of MC with brake cleaner, let it dry, put back together just snugging bolts.
You know it is too tight if seal starts to bulge out.
Lived by this and have never replaced seal again.
You know it is too tight if seal starts to bulge out.
Lived by this and have never replaced seal again.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 848
Likes: 30
From: CO
Sorry, but I'm not buying it. There's no way it stopped leaking. Every single harley I've seen has the master leaking and peeling off. Since I bought my bike this has been a pain. Changed my seal through warranty, but still leaks. Tried really tight, loose, just barely, you name it, it leaks. In my opinion it's the seal itself that has a designs flaw. Where the screw goes in, there isn't enough rubber to seal the break fluid from the amount of vibration the bike gives off. The only way you won't see it leaking is having a chrome master.
Still waiting on a miracle.
About the breathable part, we'll, it's true it needs to breath, but just so air flushes out break fluid between the cap and the gasket itself. While riding, air will flush out break fluid, cleaning the cap.
This is the only defect I've found on my bike, on all Harley's for that matter.
Still waiting on a miracle.
About the breathable part, we'll, it's true it needs to breath, but just so air flushes out break fluid between the cap and the gasket itself. While riding, air will flush out break fluid, cleaning the cap.
This is the only defect I've found on my bike, on all Harley's for that matter.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From:
Mine leaks too. Tried cleaning and replacing the seal to no avail. Fortunately, I'm okay with the "worn, rustic" looking brake cylinder where the brake fluid has corroded the paint. As long as it doesn't get on my tank....
If anyone finds a solution besides changing to a chrome master that would awesome if they posted it.
If anyone finds a solution besides changing to a chrome master that would awesome if they posted it.