Sight glass replacements

A while back I had asked about the process for sight glass replacements and got a variety of answers. I did some further research and found genuine sight glasses online cheap so I ordered 3 for my ST1100. Install went well and I now have a spare (bought in case I screwed up on one.) Each one is just 99 cents mailed from banggood.com - takes about 3 weeks to arrive.

http://www.banggood.com/18mm-Sight-Mirror-Gasket-For-Brake-Master-Cylinder-Reservoir-Motorcycle-Dirt-Bike-p-1045746.html?currency=USD?p=WJ13154638464201605A

Here's the old and the new (and the old one was the "good one" on my bike!)

I replaced my o-ring a few weeks ago, and used a Q-tip to clean the old oil residue off the original sight glass, looks great now!

I've had folks mention that too, but you can't clean milky or cracked plastic.

Interesting...
How difficult to pry the old view-glasses out, how well do the replacements fit into the reservoir bore?

I would be helpful to point out these are for the clutch/brake fluid reservoirs. My first thought was the engine oil level sight glass.

Yes, brake and clutch master cylidners.

Not too hard to pry them out. I used a clean cloth to drain most of the fluid (below the level of the window.) I put a small 8mm?-1/4" socket in the back side of the window, then pried it with a large screwdriver. I found it easier to wedge a small wrench in there to fill the gap between the screwdriver and the inside of the master cylinder. Constant pressure and it'll pop out. Used the large flat screwdriver to pry out the metal ring from the old window, and removed the o-ring.

Clean it all, insert ring, seat new glass (plastic) as best you can, then I used a c-clamp to apply steady pressure to pop it into place. Mine started going in cockeyed from the get-go, but straightened up once there was more pressure on the high side.

Replenish with fluid, check for pressure/air in the line and you're good to go. 10 minutes start to finish max for one.

Tools I used:
JIS screwdriver for the cap screws
couple of clean absorbent cloths
oversized garage towel or tarp to protect the bike from accidental spills
large flat screwdriver
small 1/4" socket
small wrench to act as a gap filler when prying
pick (optional)
c-clamp

wjbertrand said:

I would be helpful to point out these are for the clutch/brake fluid reservoirs. My first thought was the engine oil level sight glass.

Click to expand...

Ah yes, I remember now, he was asking about this a while back.

Good find from Bang Good. I find lots of cool, very inexpensive stuff there.

Great to know these are available. Thanks for the tip.

Have not heard of Banggood. OK company to deal with?

dkruitz said:

A while back I had asked about the process for sight glass replacements and got a variety of answers. I did some further research and found genuine sight glasses online cheap so I ordered 3 for my ST1100. Install went well and I now have a spare (bought in case I screwed up on one.) Each one is just 99 cents mailed from banggood.com - takes about 3 weeks to arrive.

www.banggood.com/18mm-Sight-Mirror-Gasket-For-Brake-Master-Cylinder-Reservoir-Motorcycle-Dirt-Bike-p-1045746.html?currency=USD

Here's the old and the new (and the old one was the "good one" on my bike!)

Click to expand...

DeanR said:

Have not heard of Banggood. OK company to deal with?

Click to expand...

So far yes - I've bought a few things from them, and no problems. The flashing LED brake light is DOA and I need to contact them about it, but the company itself seems pretty decent.

DeanR said:

Have not heard of Banggood. OK company to deal with?

Click to expand...

dkruitz said:

So far yes - I've bought a few things from them, and no problems. The flashing LED brake light is DOA and I need to contact them about it, but the company itself seems pretty decent.

Click to expand...

Just received one of these waterproof handlebar switches. Looks great. No problems with Banggood on this.

http://www.banggood.com/12V-16A-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Grip-Light-Switch-Aluminum-alloy-Waterproof-with-Indicator-p-1037235.html

DeanR said:

Just received one of these waterproof handlebar switches.

Click to expand...

WOW that's a lot of detailed info for a non-industrial part. I like.

Just a quick bump and a update about my 99 cent sight glasses that were replaced a little while back. They are doing fine and are now shipped out of a US based warehouse for $1.39 each! No reason not to replace imho.

http://www.banggood.com/18mm-Sight-Mirror-Gasket-For-Brake-Master-Cylinder-Reservoir-Motorcycle-Dirt-Bike-p-1045746.html?currency=USD?p=WJ13154638464201605A

I ordered four of these, got them all the way from China via fast boat...only 10 days shipping time.
They are well made, the lens is very clear and should hold up very well so long as they are not damaged during installation.

Good news! It's the first time I've *ever* had clear site glass on a master cylinder or clutch.