Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Z71 on December 22, 2012, 03:31:20 PM
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This week I changed the brake and clutch fluid on my '09C14 for the first time. After I removed the front brake and clutch master cylinder metal covers and plastic/rubber gaskets, there was another piece of what looked like styrofoam floating in the brake fluid. What is the purpose of this piece? Maybe to help prevent splashing of the fluid inside the reservoir? I have not seen anything like this on any other bike before.
Also, is it better to use Kawasaki brand DOT 4 brake fluid? Someone told me it has some additives that are better for motorcycle use. Is this true? I typically use Carquest brand DOT 4 brake fluid.
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The white piece of plastic floating in the reservoir is to keep the fluid from sloshing inside the reservoir so badly that the master cylinder could such in an air bubble. That sure isn't likely to happen unless the bike is upside down (at which point sucking in a small amount of air into the clutch or brake system is the least of your concerns) but the plastic reduces the odds even more.
You can use any brand / type of DOT 4 brake fluid you want or have access too. But this is the first time I have seen the 'oil / tire thread' type of debate used for brake fluid. ;) Kawasaki does not make brake fluid so it is very unlikely that they have the best / magic formula for the brake fluid used in their bikes. Besides, even if that were the case, perhaps Honda brand brake fluid has even more of the special motorcycle agent in their re- branded brake fluid. ;D
Brian
This week I changed the brake and clutch fluid on my '09C14 for the first time. After I removed the front brake and clutch master cylinder metal covers and plastic/rubber gaskets, there was another piece of what looked like styrofoam floating in the brake fluid. What is the purpose of this piece? Maybe to help prevent splashing of the fluid inside the reservoir? I have not seen anything like this on any other bike before.
Also, is it better to use Kawasaki brand DOT 4 brake fluid? Someone told me it has some additives that are better for motorcycle use. Is this true? I typically use Carquest brand DOT 4 brake fluid.
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Thanks, I did not believe the story about Kawasaki brake fluid being any better in the first place. The only thing worth mentioning about the brake fluid replacement here is that one has to be careful not to overtighten the master cylinder reservoir cover screws. These reservoirs are plastic and it is easy to strip the threads (unless there are metal inserts in there, but I did not see them). All other bikes I own have all aluminum reservoirs and you can tighten the screws a bit more.
And it took just over a pint of brake fluid to do the job. So you should get a quart of brake fluid to be on the safe side.
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There are metal nuts (easy boys!) in the reservoir so over tightening the cap is not much of a problem. That said, it really does not need to be very tight as it seals very easily. I tighten the screws in my reservoirs by using a #2 driver and holding it by the shaft alone (again, easy boys!)- I don't even bother to use the handle at all. That has been tight enough on my bike for over five years now.
Brian
Thanks, I did not believe the story about Kawasaki brake fluid being any better in the first place. The only thing worth mentioning about the brake fluid replacement here is that one has to be careful not to overtighten the master cylinder reservoir cover screws. These reservoirs are plastic and it is easy to strip the threads (unless there are metal inserts in there, but I did not see them). All other bikes I own have all aluminum reservoirs and you can tighten the screws a bit more.
And it took just over a pint of brake fluid to do the job. So you should get a quart of brake fluid to be on the safe side.
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http://youtu.be/IIugmuvf8x4 (http://youtu.be/IIugmuvf8x4)
MGvalerio. 8)
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I know everyone has a favorite type/Brand of fluid, this is what I use and it is working well and priced right at 6 bucks a quart for a synthetic. The only minus it has is that it is basically clear and so it's hard to check during the year, you do know when to change it though.
http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/588247-valvoline-synthetic-dot-3-and-4-brake-fluid.html#.UNijOqX3Bjc (http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/588247-valvoline-synthetic-dot-3-and-4-brake-fluid.html#.UNijOqX3Bjc)
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I use Kawasaki's brand as I don't want to mix fluid brands. Just make sure it's DOT4 compatible. I'm not sure how it can be both, though. We had a big discussion on this awhile back on the various nuances...
Ah, found it....
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9720.msg118283#msg118283 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9720.msg118283#msg118283)
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Mixing the fluid brands would not be an issue in my case, as I used enough brake fluid to COMPLETELY flush the system and replace all of the old fluid. Either way, mixing different brands of DOT4 would not cause a problem. Some time ago I had a question on another bike forum about mixing synthetic DOT 4 brake fluid with non synthetic DOT 4. It is non issue again if you replace all of the existing fluid.
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Some are careful--me--with those screws on the reservoirs. Others, mount GPS and Radios on them. Anywhere you can put a screw, some guy is trying to mount something there.
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Some are careful--me--with those screws on the reservoirs. Others, mount GPS and Radios on them. Anywhere you can put a screw, some guy is trying to mount something there.
awfully close to the censers kicking in there. Lets keep it pg rated
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:rotflmao:
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awfully close to the censers censors kicking in there. Lets keep it pg rated
FIFY ;) Merry Christmas to all!
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And a Merry Christmas to you as well VJ. Thanks for correcting my poor spelling :)
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Mixing the fluid brands would not be an issue in my case, as I used enough brake fluid to COMPLETELY flush the system and replace all of the old fluid. Either way, mixing different brands of DOT4 would not cause a problem. Some time ago I had a question on another bike forum about mixing synthetic DOT 4 brake fluid with non synthetic DOT 4. It is non issue again if you replace all of the existing fluid.
I go %$#^ing nuts on mine too.
MOTUL FTW (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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I use Kawasaki's brand as I don't want to mix fluid brands. Just make sure it's DOT4 compatible. I'm not sure how it can be both, though. We had a big discussion on this awhile back on the various nuances...
Ah, found it....
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9720.msg118283#msg118283 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9720.msg118283#msg118283)
Jim, I think that if you carefully peel the label off of that you'll find an STP label underneath!