Front brake fluid reservoir - getting near the line

[iceman]

Hi,
When I purchased the pcx from new the front brake reservoir fluid was a fair bit above the line - now it's getting close to the line. I don't brake hard so it seems either the fluid has compressed a bit or there is a slight leak - is that normal? I've never seen anything in the CBS reservoir and that's quite tricky to check if full. So, what to do. I wondered if the slow decline in level is normal or there is a slight leak - either way, it does not seem to be a problem other than I may need to top it up soon. I had the 600 mile dealer service and I'm now on about 2200 miles, 2500 point coming up.

I don't want to pay £130 for the 2nd service, esp, as not much is done on that one - not even an oil change! So, what do people recommend - is it easy to top up without air getting in, or wait until it drops below the line and then replace it all?

[MikeP]

I have noticed that on my scoot too. I have 3500miles on mine. I believe it to be normal based upon pad break in and wear from new till now. If there were a leak believe me you would know if you "strongly" applied the break.
cheers!

[MikeP]

I missed part of your question. Once it reaches the line, top it up from a sealed, new container. Then tightly seal the bottle for next time. No need to change the fluid untill you change the pads. That is the time to flush the system.

[sendler2112]

As the pads wear, the caliper pistons move out so they are then holding more volume of fluid behind them which makes the level in the reservoir lower.

[iceman]

Thanks all! I could not find a thread on here when searching so will look in the service manual as to how to 'top it up'. I was worried it was more complicated and prone to air getting in the system.

[sendler2112]

No air can get in until the reservoir actually runs dry. No action at all is really needed unless the brake fluid level falls below the minimum line.

[DAB]

Thanks all! I could not find a thread on here when searching so will look in the service manual as to how to 'top it up'. I was worried it was more complicated and prone to air getting in the system.

How far from the line, remember if you change the pads you may have to drain some fluid.
Never had to add fluid before, check if your pads are ok.

[yak]

I was worried about the same thing on my PCX with 2,000 miles on it. The fluid seemed to be below the LOW marker. I took it to the dealer. The mechanic told me to always turn the front wheel all the way to the left before checking the fluid level. That gives you a true reading. He did add a bit of fluid but said that mine was fine. He checked my brakes and said they were fine (showing 50% wear at 2,000 miles).

[SECoda]

50% wear at 2000 miles? Is that a lot of city commuting? Stop and go?

[sendler2112]

Obviously just a rough guess by the tech as a way of saying they are still plenty good..

[SECoda]

I guess - I just measured mine at over 80% on the front at 2334 miles. I thought that pretty good. More than twice that in wear if accurate seems significant. My miles are probably more touring. I tend to avoid using the brakes if I can.

[iceman]

I was worried about the same thing on my PCX with 2,000 miles on it. The fluid seemed to be below the LOW marker. I took it to the dealer. The mechanic told me to always turn the front wheel all the way to the left before checking the fluid level. That gives you a true reading. He did add a bit of fluid but said that mine was fine. He checked my brakes and said they were fine (showing 50% wear at 2,000 miles).

Didn't realise that - just tried it. With the bike on the centre stand (how I always store it except when filling up) and front wheel centered, the level was just above the line. When I rotated the front wheel to the left, even by a bit, the level rose quite a lot until it was getting near the top! What a difference by just rotating the front wheel (still on the center stand)!