I Need Some Serious Advice

i think lylej's bike is a k5 or k6 the lines would'nt have deteriorated? would concern me as to where the fluids gone tho.

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by kwak zzr

my only concern with lylej's problems would be if the brake fluid is low "Where's it gone?" if its not leaking then i wouldnt call a top up of fluid messing with brakes.

Exactly my point, which is in line with Baphs.

Like Fizz, a year ago when I was considering getting a bike it was going to be Mr Suzuki that was going to be doing all the work.

On Saturday I had the entire front of the bike off, fitting new fork springs, after I had changed the oil.

Ok to be more specific, Jambo had advised and overseen these things, taking over where I was making a complete pigs ear of it.

I wouldn't have wanted to do these things on my own for the 1st time, but now, well I would have no hesitation with stripping the front fairing off (must say that I think an SVS would look AMAZING stripped down and converted to an SVN - the clip-ons make it look a bit more agressive than the flat bars).

So I would not advise "getting a manual and tinker", I would advise get someone who knows what they are doing to help you and advise you.

With Spannerman in the local area, with his rates being reasonable and with his liking for people to get their hands dirty, well seems like the choice.

I am lucky, I have Jambo, Rictus and Sid Squid to call on for this kind of help and advice.

Given a couple of pointers and seeing stuff done, most people I know will be happy and capable of working on their bikes.

I too would want someone who knows what they are doing to look at the brakes - as a sealed system, the fluid should not really vanish....

I AM a complete numpty when it comes to anythin mechanical, but with the advice I've got from here I've done my own service (minor-oil/filters/plugs), will happily adjust my chain, fill/bleed brakes and change brake pads, fitted a race can and jacked up the back end, fitted heated grips,fender extenda,etc... and if I can do it.....believe me...anyone can do it.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by kwak zzr

i think lylej's bike is a k5 or k6 the lines would'nt have deteriorated? would concern me as to where the fluids gone tho.

Its a K5, so the lines might have deteriorated as IIRC they are only supposed to be on the bike for 2 years before replacing.

If it were my bike I'd be concerned where the brake fluid was going, unless the fluid is two years old and never been changed either...

I think with brakes its better to err on the side of caution, I bled mine a few times before I got the knack right.

OE brake lines are ment to be changed every 2 years? surly not? fluid yes.

Originally Posted by kwak zzr

i think lylej's bike is a k5 or k6 the lines would'nt have deteriorated? would concern me as to where the fluids gone tho.

OK, so if it's not the lines that are leaking, it's likely to be a bleed nipple that's not torqued up properly, or possibly that the master cylinder is leaking. Not something I'd recommend a novice playing about with.

But we agree in principal, and to be burtally honest, if I saw low fluid I'd top it up & not think much more of it, until it happened a second time fairly soon after. Then I'd investigate more. But that's more a personal choice about risk. Put more fluid in, increase the pressure in the system when the brakes are applied, and possibly open a split up even more, rupturing it properly & dumping all the fluid on the floor, meaning no brakes.

EDIT: 4 years for lines, 2 for fluid IIRC.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by kwak zzr

OE brake lines are ment to be changed every 2 years? surly not? fluid yes.

I can't remeber, but they are part of the service schedule so it'll say in there somewhere. It might be two it might be four. I'm not 100% sure.

The hoses go off over time and then they bulge under the brake fluid pressure which reduces the braking performance.

according to my sv owners manual hoses are 4 years fluid is 2 years.

i dont know much about this but if a brake system is leaking out fluid somewhere doesnt that mean its taking in air somewhere? so the brakes would feel rubbish anyway?

Originally Posted by kwak zzr

i dont know much about this but if a brake system is leaking out fluid somewhere doesnt that mean its taking in air somewhere? so the brakes would feel rubbish anyway?

Sort of, but sort of not.

Transfer of matter is subject to pressure. If internal pressure is greater than external pressure, matter (in this case brake fluid) can escape through any gap. Vice versa if internal pressure is lower than external pressure. If both pressures are identical, then apply gravity/viscosity rules.

However, it could well be that the gap in the system only exists at a higher pressure than "at rest" (ie, when the brakes are applied), and the gap then closes the instant the brakes are released (and the system returns to it's resting state). If there's no gap, there's no transfer of matter.