Sweatbands around brake fluid reservoir?
 

Ok, I can't figure out why people do this. I started googling and found the following possible explanations:

- Fashion. Cos it looks good. Apparently. I assume the riders also wear shell suits?
- To prevent the brake fluid braking down in sunlight. I've never heard this is an issue. If it was, I'm sure there would be a manufacturer solution as it sounds dangerous.
- To catch leaking fluid under hard braking. To my knowledge the reservoir isn't under any pressure, plus it's supposed to have an air tight rubber seal, so this doesn't make sense either.
- To prevent rider distraction, for those who find looking at fluid sloshing about in a bottle more entertaining than a road at high speed.
- To insulate the fluid. This makes no sense because you can't insulate a fluid at atmospheric temperature. I can't imagine braking generates much heat in the fluid, and isn't brake fluid designed not to expand/contract as the temp changes?

So as far as I can tell, it's 100% pointless. Does anyone have a good explanation?

Re: Sweatbands around brake fluid reservoir?
 

fashion, it hides the ugly brake reservoir, I'd imagine it started in racing as a way to get another sponsor decal on the bike?

Although I have no explanation for your suggestion that shell suits looked good.

Re: Sweatbands around brake fluid reservoir?
 

Ad, you had 12 shell suits and you still have a ghetto blaster. And you love 80s music. *shakes head*

Re: Sweatbands around brake fluid reservoir?
 

Maybe its for pep s with leaking cylinders ?
Rather than fix it they bodge it.

Re: Sweatbands around brake fluid reservoir?
 

I think it started in racing to help with the fluid not getting to hot from sun light and it has just caught on

Re: Sweatbands around brake fluid reservoir?
 

My bike wears one because it came free with some other R&G goodies.

Mine was a freebie too. I couldn't justify spending money on one.
I do think that the reservoir is a bit of an eyesore and the plain black cover just makes it look a little tidier (nothing jazzy)
Always check my fluid levels regularly though as it could be easy to forget when it's covered up.

Re: Sweatbands around brake fluid reservoir?
 

I believe it may also be used in racing to help pick one similarly liveried bike from another.

However apparently it'll give you 5bhp more and prevent your reg/rec from toasting itself.

:) ok you got me...

Re: Sweatbands around brake fluid reservoir?
 

ghetto blaster and 80's music yes, but I only ever had one shell suit it was a white and purple umbro one and in hindsight it was horrible.:D