How do I check the brake fluid?

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:02 am

Can anyone explain to me how to check the brake fluid? The manual doesn't really say where the indicator is, and if it did I probably wouldn't be able to understand it. Sample quote: "Insufficient brake fluid will make the air into the brake system and may cause the brake out of control". Not sure why Genuine hasn't bothered to have the manual properly written and illustrated.

Also, are there any other fluids I should be checking (except oil and gear oil)? Is there tranny fluid of some kind?

TIA and happy scooting!

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:08 am

About the only fluid I check regularly is engine oil. Beyond that, check your air pressure and a few nuts and bolts. That's about it, AFAIK.

Though...every once in a while I need to add wiper fluid.

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:11 am

isn't there a little window on the reservoir next to the brake handle?

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:18 am

Ray Knobs wrote:isn't there a little window on the reservoir next to the brake handle?

Ok maybe I'm dumb (don't answer that!) but I'm not sure what you mean by "handle". Not the levers, right? There's no reservoir there so...

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:45 am

Actually, I think that is where it is, but I think you have to remove the cover on top of the handlebars, the one that goes around the speedo. If you look closely at the handlebars, the right side (as you look down on it from the seat) is enlarged and squarish compared to the left side, and as this is typically the location for the brake fluid reservoir on other bikes, I am guessing that it is underneath. This is just a guess, but consider it an ever so slightly educated guess.

rickko · Post by **rickko** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:45 am

LuvMyScoot wrote:Can anyone explain to me how to check the brake fluid? ...

Where you check the front fluid brake fluid is under the top handlebar cover on the right side. If you notice, the plastic cover is kind of squared off near the grip. It's under that location

Check/Add Fluid: Remove upper cover, unscrew and remove reservoir lid, fill to near the top. Have rags around as brake fluid is very corrosive.

Also, check with dealer to learn type of fluid (i.e. DOT 3 or DOT 5, etc.)

The rear brake is not hydraulic thus no reservoir.

..rickko..

Vic · Post by **Vic** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:46 am

Ray Knobs wrote:isn't there a little window on the reservoir next to the brake handle?

No reservoir, so no window.

-v

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:29 am

Vic wrote:
No reservoir, so no window.

-v

not sure i follow what your saying since there is a picture of the reservoir in the post above yours??

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:37 am

Rickko showed you where to find the fluid reservoir for the front brake. I would not open it just for drill (why look for trouble). If you see fluid leaking or you experience some loss of pressure on the front brake then it is time to take a look. Most likely also time for help by your mechanic if you lack experience with hydraulic brakes. The back brake is mechanical, i.e. no fluid. Regarding the transmission - gear oil/transmission oil- same thing

Vic · Post by **Vic** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:54 am

No reservoir, so no window.

-v[/quote]

not sure i follow what your saying since there is a picture of the reservoir in the post above yours??[/quote]

Ok, hidden reservoir, don't think there's a window.

The post above mine is time stamped for a minute before mine and since I have such a slow connection, I did not see that post while I was writing my post.

-v

LisaLisa · Post by **LisaLisa** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:05 am

I think you can see it if you look in the right place under the lever. I can't be sure because I'm not near my bike.

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:21 am

Vic wrote:
The post above mine is time stamped for a minute before mine and since I have such a slow connection, I did not see that post while I was writing my post.

-v

ahh...

my rattler has a window, figured they were all the same

[email protected] · Post by **[email protected]** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:25 am

nice picture rickko didint know that where it was

Scutellosaurus · Post by **Scutellosaurus** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:34 pm

You can see it if you look below the lever, sort of into the center of the headset. There's a little round, plastic piece with a line running through the center. You should be able to see the fluid above or below that line.

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:42 pm

Thanks everyone for posting. I finally found the little window and I'm pretty sure I'm just about out. Going to do something about that right now!

pyrocpu · Post by **pyrocpu** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:48 pm

I'd also use this opportunity to check on the status of the brake pads. One reason for lower brake fluid level is worn brake pads. As the pads wear, the pistons in the brake caliper get pushed out more by the brake fluid. When this happens, more fluid is "stored" in the piston cavity and away from the master cylinder reservoir.

rickko · Post by **rickko** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:25 pm

pyrocpu wrote:I'd also use this opportunity to check on the status of the brake pads. One reason for lower brake fluid level is worn brake pads. As the pads wear, the pistons in the brake caliper get pushed out more by the brake fluid. When this happens, more fluid is "stored" in the piston cavity and away from the master cylinder reservoir.

This is so true! Before adding fluid make sure your brake pads aren't worn down.

..rickko..

jijifer · Post by **jijifer** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:32 pm

LuvMyScoot wrote:Thanks everyone for posting. I finally found the little window and I'm pretty sure I'm just about out. Going to do something about that right now!

Last night, my mechanic said that won't happen unless there's a leak. I had to look a few times because it's clear I couldn't see what he was seeing that made him so sure it was full. Then he pointed out a little bubble at the top of the window and yep- can't have a bubble if isn't fluid around it. He said they almost never have to mess with the brake fluid.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:46 am

jijifer wrote:He said they almost never have to mess with the brake fluid.

That has also been my experience on motorcycles and scooters with hydraulic brakes. A normally functioning hydraulic brake does not seem to "use up" fluid. If your fluid level is down substantially, it usually means you have a fluid leak or badly worn brake pads.

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:22 am

jijifer wrote:
LuvMyScoot wrote:Thanks everyone for posting. I finally found the little window and I'm pretty sure I'm just about out. Going to do something about that right now!
Last night, my mechanic said that won't happen unless there's a leak. I had to look a few times because it's clear I couldn't see what he was seeing that made him so sure it was full. Then he pointed out a little bubble at the top of the window and yep- can't have a bubble if isn't fluid around it. He said they almost never have to mess with the brake fluid.

Thanks, Jijifer. It was because of a post you made about what you learned from your mechanic that I finally found the window in the first place. I called Javaspeed and they too said that the fluid doesn't tend to go down. They asked about my brakes and I told them they feel right and brake really well. They said I shouldn't worry about it and they will check when I have the scoot in for service next week. I'm still paranoid though (lost my brakes once in a car) so I'm going to check the reservoir tomorrow.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:46 pm

I added this post (directly linked to Rikko's post with pic) to the MB Guides/FAQ Section for future reference.

jijifer · Post by **jijifer** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:31 pm

LuvMyScoot wrote:Thanks, Jijifer. It was because of a post you made about what you learned from your mechanic that I finally found the window in the first place....

Oh good, I thought if I kept the description less technical, it may help.

Modern Buddy

How do I check the brake fluid?

How do I check the brake fluid?

Re: How do I check the brake fluid?