Reginald
cyclepoke
In the service manual, Honda states that brake grease be applied to the washer under the boot and at the top under the boot. It's a service requirement few perform, including shops. Every year when I flush the brakes I clean out the old and apply fresh brake grease.People suggest using the grease in order to prevent water from getting into and behind the rubber boot on the SMC. There is a little hole or pathway down which any trapped water should be able to escape, but Honda have brought out 3 variations on the original that I am aware of, and the post 2008 bikes have yet another design. The grease isn't essential for correct operation. People put it there as a precaution against future water ingress.