It is the Helibar HR01029. Hard to know now if it significantly changed the position wrt to the oem position. It did make a lot of difference in riding comfort.
If it was my ST1300 I would not go through the bother but if it satisfies a concern for you go for it, then you will know for sure. Built in to that lower level line that Honda put there is a sufficient amount of brake fluid for an adequate safety margin. I have never seen that riser installed so I really have no idea how much it changes the angle of the master cylinders but would be surprised if it changed the position enough to present a problem under normal operating conditions. If nothing unusual has been done like leaving a very low fluid level after installing new pads, or filling the master cylinder when worn pads were in place, I would have no concerns with what I see in the photos in your initial post.
If the top and bottom of the aftermarket risers are parallel, the displayed level of fluid inside relative to the sight glass will not be changed from stock. All they do is lift the reservoirs higher from the ground but do not change the relative position angle of reservoirs. The pictured risers are the HeliBar HR01029 risers on the OP's bike. It is easily seen the riser top and bottom are parallel. The fluid level display in window with these risers is still the same as stock.
With risers, if you just turn the bars untll the MC is level, the sight glass should still be accurate.
No argument from me. I am of the opinion that this is one of those issues that is exaggerated, much ado about nothing as it were.
I finally got around to doing some due diligence last week and can share the following. While to some this may be elementary / old news, but it may be helpful to others.
, mentioned in Post 8. With the handle bar turned to the right and the MC parallel to the ground, the casting ledge is a perfect indicator of the correct fluid level and fwiw, gets the fluid above the Lower level marks on the outside of the MC.
Manual states upper level, so my reference is your arrow #1.
My questions were in regards to changing the brake flud during a routine annual or evry two year period. I would think in that case the fluid should be replaced to the upper level mark even if the pads are at 50% or 75% or 40 % remaining. That is what the manual is implying.
It just means that if one tops off the reservoirs with the pads worn to some point less than new and if the pads need replacement later and the pistons are pushed into the caliper the possibility exists fluid will overflow and be pushed out of the reservoir. It's a given that the upper level of fluid corresponds to new pads. Honda designed the system so that adequate fluid is in the system until the pads are worn out. Topping off with worn pads is not required and may spill fluid during pad replacement.
Ok. So if my pads are at 50 % and I want to do my annual flush. To what point should I fill the reservoir at this time.
I don't know that there's a formula to follow, your primary goal is to fill it enough so that when your pads are at 5% you still have adequate fluid in the reservoir to operate the brakes effectively. I'd rather have too much than too little.
Yes, it is wrong. If the system was properly bled of air and filled with fluid to the correct level when it last had new pads installed, and if there are no leaks, the system has the correct amount of fluid in it for the entire life of the pads. If you add additional fluid part-way through the life of the pads you will have to remove some fluid when you install new pads or you will have binding breaks.
Simple. Put a piece of masking tape on the master cylinder and mark where the brake fluid level is. You can also measure down from the top of the master to the fluid level and make a note of the measurement if you prefer. Once you are ready to top off the system just fill the master to the same level.
I had no idea about this aspect of brake fluid level's relationships to pad wear. I don't recall ever seeing this discussed during my time here. It makes perfect sense reading this explanation.
"Simple. Put a piece of masking tape on the master cylinder and mark where the brake fluid level is. You can also measure down from the top of the master to fluid level and make a note of the measurement if you prefer. Once you are ready to top off the system just fill the master to the same level."
Yes, when the pads are new and at full thickness.
its not that big a deal either way. Given the number of owners some of these bikes have had, the primary caveat is the masking tape method is only reliable if you know the m/c was topped off at the last brake pad replacement. If you're not the owner who changed the pads and adjusted the fluid level, who knows where it should be set?
Amen to that! As long as the level is between the two lines, go riding.
Learned "the hard way" as a teen during my apprenticeship days...
Which is a built-in quick-check convenience and early warning safety indicator that is part of my pre-ride check that is lost if the system is overfilled and the fluid level is no longer representative of the amount of brake pad wear.
