Brake Fluid

Joined
Oct 14, 2023
Messages
2
Age
54
Location
Queensland
Hi All Angelo from Qld Here,

I have noticed some brake fluid on the front right mudguard ST1300 ABS 2005 model.
Front brakes still seem to work fine but but for how long Im not sure. So Im mechanically clueless and up here in Hervey Bay is hard to find a truthful mechanic. See pic please.
Has anyone else had this issue ?
 

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jfheath

John Heath
Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 18, 2006
Messages
2,832
Age
70
Location
Ilkley, W Yorkshire, UK
Bike
2013 ST1300 A9
2024 Miles
000679
STOC #
2570
It might be spillage from when it was filled - but you cannot take that risk.



Check the brake line all the way up from the banjo union at the top of the caliper to the reservoir - see if there is any evidence of fluid on the outside of the hose all the way up to the master cylinder on the handlebar.
Then check all of the metal unions - there's only one set on the front right fork leg. Make sure it is the one connected to the front brake caliper hose. It is the upper bracket on the right fork. So there is one hose conencted from the bottom, one hose connected going up, and one pipe heading across the mudguard - the front one.
Then clean up each joint. Make sure that they are dry.
Squeeze the brake lever hard a few times. Really hard.
Then go back to each of those joints with a clean paper towel (coloured if you have it) and wipe around the joints and check for anything that is now wet.

The do a similar thing with the rear brake circuit. The lower hose from the front left caliper goes to a metal union which is behind and lower than the one for the front brake. A hose comes from up behind the steering head. A pipe heads across the mudguard (the rear metal hose) to the front left caliper centre piston. Check those joints. int he same way, clean and dry and then pump the rear brake pedal hard a few times. Go back and check for leakage.

The metal pipes across the mudguard are joind to the metal union 'block' with a compression fitting. Check that is not leaking where the pipe emerges from the gland nut and is not leaking near the threads. Best seen with a bright light from the other side of the wheel.

If you cannot find anything, then it may be an idea to leave the front leer held back overnight and the brake pedal pressed down and check again in the morning.

The alternative is a spill when fluid was last replaced - or perhaps the brake pads were repalced without opening the master reservoir ont he handlebars.
Wrap absorbent cloth around the reservoir. Turn handlebars fully to the left and turn the ignition key to lock the steering. Unfasten the two screws for the cover and carefully remove the metal cap, the white insert that keeps the diaphragm in position, along with the diaphragm.

The level should be at the line that is part of the casting on the inside of the reservoir. If your brake pads have been in a while, the pads will have worn down and the fluid will be correspondingly lower. If the fluid is topped up part way through the life of the pads then when the pads are replaced, the pistons need to be pushed in and the fluid returns to the reservoir, but there is now not enough room for it. It may be under pressure in there and has leaked out as a result.

Check things out, let us know what you find.

In the diagram below, I have coloured the lines fromt he front brake lever in light blue.
The lines from the brake pedal are pink

1697278212667.png
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jun 4, 2007
Messages
56
Location
Dublin, Ohio
Bike
2005 ST1300
STOC #
6761
Hi All Angelo from Qld Here,

I have noticed some brake fluid on the front right mudguard ST1300 ABS 2005 model.
Front brakes still seem to work fine but but for how long Im not sure. So Im mechanically clueless and up here in Hervey Bay is hard to find a truthful mechanic. See pic please.
Has anyone else had this issue ?
Angelo,

I cannot rightly tell from your picture alone, but it looks like to me that you might have a leaking fork seal. When my right fork seal went a few years ago, the expelled fluid looked a lot like the pattern seen on your fender. Of course, fork oil is much darker than brake fluid.

If it is brake fluid, clean it off straight away because brake fluid will strip the paint.
 

W0QNX

Blacksheep Tribal Member
Joined
May 30, 2006
Messages
3,347
Location
Pensacola, FL. USA
Bike
06/ST1300 19/R1250RT
2024 Miles
007437
If it's the fork seal (likely) the fork should have black oily dust sticking all over too. Is the lower fork tube clean or dirty just below the rubber seals?
 
Joined
Jun 28, 2022
Messages
689
Location
Texas
A photo showing more than just the fender would be appropriate. Include more upward, to include the forks and maybe brake line.

One of the forks on our 2008 ST had a minor leak. I used a fork seal cleaner and no probs afterwards. (I made a copy of a Seal Mate from a one gallon plastic milk container).

20231014_182754.jpg
 
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