K11 Owners Group

quadrabrick · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 1:23 am Post subject: Leaking front brake cylinder?

My front brake cylinder on my K1100LT slowly leaks, at a faster rate when hot out ( 28C/ 82F ), until, if let low enough, I lose any pressure at the brake handle. I top it up, pump a couple of times , and all is fine. While I have any fluid in the cylinder, the front brake works well. no brake loss at all, and no softness at the lever. I haven't spotted the exact leak, but it seems to come from the bottom of the cylinder. Any suggestions as what to check first?
Thanks, Brent
_________________
'93 K1100 LT
'80 Honda CX500 Custom (8000 kil.)

www.pbase.com/henryimages

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 7:24 am Post subject:

When you say cylinder, are you talking about the master cylinder that is connected to the handle, or are you talking about the caliper that holds the pads.
Are you seeing any drips under anything?
There have been quite a few that have replaced or rebuild the upper master cylinder because of leaks.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Saltcreek · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 7:27 am Post subject:

This thread will help:

http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6603

Unless it's leaking at the banjo belt where the hose connects the master cylinder needs to be either cleaned, rebuilt, or replaced.

Please stop riding until it's fixed!!!

/edit: Just looked at photos on Brent's (Quadrabrick's) website. You should check it out.
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

quadrabrick · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:17 am Post subject:

The front master cylinder. I will check the bolt at the bottom. Thanks all. Brent
_________________
'93 K1100 LT
'80 Honda CX500 Custom (8000 kil.)

www.pbase.com/henryimages

Phil Marvin · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:15 am Post subject:

Hi, Brent,
I bought my second K1100LT, a '95, in 2005. It had very low mileage and, by the time I got it home, a leaking front master cylinder. I rebuilt it successfully, meaning that until I hit the deer and sold the bike a year later, the front master cylinder didn't leak and the brakes worked well. If you would like to know how I did it, I had posted here a few years ago, step by step, what I did. I'll write it up again and send it to you in a PM if you think it might help.
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 1:31 pm Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 1:48 pm Post subject:

quadrabrick · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks Phil. I'd appreciate that.
Brent
_________________
'93 K1100 LT
'80 Honda CX500 Custom (8000 kil.)

www.pbase.com/henryimages

quadrabrick · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 1:23 pm Post subject:

Can someone tell me, that if I have no air in the system right now, meaning the brake is right up, can I take the cylinder apart , and bleed it after without a pressure bleed, as I have no access to this in my area? Or can I just bleed it normally if no air has entered the ABS pump?
Thanks, brent
_________________
'93 K1100 LT
'80 Honda CX500 Custom (8000 kil.)

www.pbase.com/henryimages

Jim · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 1:47 pm Post subject:

quadrabrick · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:18 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jim!
_________________
'93 K1100 LT
'80 Honda CX500 Custom (8000 kil.)

www.pbase.com/henryimages