Can I remove the front cap and not have it leak brake fluid on my bike (2011 Fatboy) when it's on the jiffy stand? In other words since the master cylinder is not exactly level, is there enough fluid to leak all over the place? For some reason, the last three weeks, the cap spits a little fluid out the breather holes. Couldn't tell where the brake fluid was coming from because the gasket isn't weeping at all. So I figure either the seal has a leak in it and fluid is getting on top, or fluid leaked up past the screws???
Thanks for any help.

 

Usually its the gasket leaking. Its an hd feature...lol.

 

Will fluid leak if I remove the cap with the bike on it's jiffy stand?

 

it's hard to say cause no one really knows how much fluid they put in the reservoir but it probably will dude. I wouldn't take the chance, just find a piece of wood or get one of our buddies to sit on the bike and hold it up while you undo the cover.

it's not worth it getting brake fluid all over the place. that crap will ruin your paint in a hurry.

 

Thanks for the reply. Well, all I had to do was turn the bars so the cylinder was mostly level and took cap off with no problems. I cleaned off the cap with alcohol and put it back on, soo we'll see how long till it leaks again! The chrome cap I had put on went about 6,000 miles before it statred leaking. The black caps (replaced once) went about 1500 to 2000 miles between leaks.I can certainly see why they leak as the resevoir is just cast and the gasket surface isn't milled flat!

 

Make sure not to over tighten the screws. That will cause it to leak around them.

Stock and Custom Chrome housings on my FXSTC and stock and chromed HD on my FXCWC and none have leaked.

 

Just fyi.. those gaskets are good for about 4-5 removals/reapplys, since they compress and release as you tighten them and remove them.. after that there is a better chance for it to start leaking. food for thought.

 

It's a pretty crappy product . They all seem to leak if you take them off to check fluid . I torque properly it doesnt help . The last few I've bought ,you had to buy the whole cover . Not cheap . Now I just never check the fluid for the life of the ride . If they leak at all forget about getting it to seal .Go buy a new one
Thanx Harley .

 

I have a new one on the way, had to put the bike away for the winter and didn't want the leaky cap on it. I used a torque screwdriver @ 15 inch pounds. I'll try it in the spring and see if it holds up for a while. Thanks for the reply's!