Reviving the clutch/brake reservoir diaphragm

[Oldseadog]

Hi all, at this past Venture West I was having issues with my clutch. Well, long story short, I lost the use of my clutch and missed some nice scenery. I had trouble with the revision leaking as I made my way home. I have now flushed and replaced the fluid with DOT 4, thanks to assistance from Rocket. I still have leaking issues because the Diaphragm is misshaped. Rocket mentioned I could boil the diaphragm in water and it would return to its proper shape. Is this really possible? Has anyone done this? How long do you boil it for? Would I be better off buying a new one and be done with it?

 

Thanks in advance for any and all input.

 

Bill

[Flyinfool]

I never heard of reviving rubber brake parts, I would replace it with new.

Brake fluid is just to nasty to risk a leak. Brake fluid that gets on the fairing (or any other paint or plastic) will destroy it.

[Snaggletooth]

I had a warped and out of shape one my '84 back when my slave blew out on me. Had a couple spare masters for both clutch and front brake at the time that weren't in the best for shape either. So while I was down at a buddies auto shop he had his parts washer fired up so I threw in my used slave cylinder and the diaphragm along with my spares.

 

It's a heated unit with a pressure spray. Did the job. Not only clean but the twisted diaphragms were back in the correct shape.

 

So in my opinion the moist heat will do the job on a warped one. Been about 3 years now with the old ones and still holding up great. So if you're in a pinch it's a workable solution.

[bongobobny]

You hit the nail on the head, a new one is cheap! You will waste just as much time playing around with an old part!! Old is old, time is money, and how much money is it going to cost in water and energy wasted???

[Oldseadog]

Diaphragm is ordered. Will the brake fluid destroy the plastic? It has already removed some paint.

[JohnT]

Diaphragm is ordered. Will the brake fluid destroy the plastic? It has already removed some paint.

 

YES IT WILL!!!!!! It simply dissolves and disappears. And will continue to do so until the parts of the plastic that absorbed the fluid are gone.

Guess how I know? The exact same scenario played out on my bike a couple years ago. Once it disolves the paint it soaks into the plastic and the plastic is history.

[Flyinfool]

Diaphragm is ordered. Will the brake fluid destroy the plastic? It has already removed some paint.

 

Since it has already removed some paint, the damage may already be done. But the damage does not show right away, it can take a few weeks to show up. It will start with a small hole that will continue to grow over time. It is like a bad cancer in the plastic. Repainting will not stop the damage from growing. Once the visible damage to the plastic starts, all you can do is to cut out the area buy cutting well into healthy tissue (plastic) to be sure you got it all.

 

If you ever spill brake fluid on plastic, even just a very tiny drop, you need to wipe it all off immediately and then flush it with huge amounts of water, (garden hose on full with no attachment on end of hose) washing the spot with some dish soap in the water and then rinse with huge amounts of water.

 

When I am working on the brakes I cover everything with many towels and plastic sheets and then still wash and water the whole bike immediately afterwards just in case a drop got past all the defenses.

[Oldseadog]

Since it has already removed some paint, the damage may already be done. But the damage does not show right away, it can take a few weeks to show up. It will start with a small hole that will continue to grow over time. It is like a bad cancer in the plastic. Repainting will not stop the damage from growing. Once the visible damage to the plastic starts, all you can do is to cut out the area buy cutting well into healthy tissue (plastic) to be sure you got it all.

 

If you ever spill brake fluid on plastic, even just a very tiny drop, you need to wipe it all off immediately and then flush it with huge amounts of water, (garden hose on full with no attachment on end of hose) washing the spot with some dish soap in the water and then rinse with huge amounts of water.

 

When I am working on the brakes I cover everything with many towels and plastic sheets and then still wash and water the whole bike immediately afterwards just in case a drop got past all the defenses.

 

I sounds as if I have my work cut out for me! The reservoir has been leaking ever since I left Yreka. It's on the radio, cassette deck cover, surrounding panel and the lower fairing. I've washed it off, but not to the extent everyone is talking about. :bang head: