Frank_W wrote:
Kurakyn (sp?) makes a chrome cover for that, .

I have one of those, it looks a lot better..

I don't know if this will help at all, since you are trying to get that master cylinder away from its original position. I had the same problem with the bike in my sig.

fyi... The bracket that the reservoir is mounted to is not the same for all years. Some are longer than others. I don't know why. I swapped the brackets between the two bikes I had at the time and put the shorter one on this bike to help with the problem.

Baron's has a replacement reservoir that is pretty nice. If you end up leaving it there it at least cleans up the look. Baron's replacement is a billet part with a screw on lid. It looks a lot nicer than the plastic stocker. I was never happy with this arrangement, but at least the Barons piece helped to minimize the issue.

This isn't a great shot of it, but its the billet cylinder above my forwards:
Right Side of bike

This pic was taken before I swapped the brackets. After that I wrapped braid around the line going to the MC and put some fancy hose clamps on that looked a little nice. Still wasn't pleased with it but at least what was there looked a little more serious.

The forward controls do a nice job of hiding the master cylinder. The chromed or aluminum resevoir looks good but it still sticks out and detracts from the over all looks.

I'll probably go with the tube or move the resevoir to the frame. Maybe under the rectifier.

Cougar wrote:
N56629 wrote:
Sounds like a good way to go but you have to wonder why everything is designed with a reservoir. Apparently the only purpose would be to buy you time before you no longer have any brakes. Since we have redundant braking systems it shouldn't be a major problem unless it fails when you most need it. I guess I never gave the system that much thought.

Just a couple thoughts or questions. Caps or covers usually or always have a diaphragm which is vented on the top. How would you bleed a system that has no reservoir? I'm thinking maybe by using the reservoir temporarily connected to the short hose.

Another question: Anyone using a different master cylinder? Something a little more compact.

I suppose you could use a mayonnaise jar minus the mayo filled with brake fluid to act as the reservoir for bleeding purposes.Reservoirs are there so you can tell if you have leaks on the wheel cylinders etc.
I personally do not recommend going without one but maybe thats just me i guess....Coug

dont mind me for correcting you. a reservoir of 'extra' fluid for a hydrolic brake system is necessary to compensate for caliper travel as the braking surfaces are worn away the caliper's volume increases.

aside from that mentioned barons res which is pretty nice there is a rear mc with the res built right on it all chromed & purty.

The Gardener wrote:
Cougar wrote:
N56629 wrote:
Sounds like a good way to go but you have to wonder why everything is designed with a reservoir. Apparently the only purpose would be to buy you time before you no longer have any brakes. Since we have redundant braking systems it shouldn't be a major problem unless it fails when you most need it. I guess I never gave the system that much thought.

Just a couple thoughts or questions. Caps or covers usually or always have a diaphragm which is vented on the top. How would you bleed a system that has no reservoir? I'm thinking maybe by using the reservoir temporarily connected to the short hose.

Another question: Anyone using a different master cylinder? Something a little more compact.

I suppose you could use a mayonnaise jar minus the mayo filled with brake fluid to act as the reservoir for bleeding purposes.Reservoirs are there so you can tell if you have leaks on the wheel cylinders etc.
I personally do not recommend going without one but maybe thats just me i guess....Coug

dont mind me for correcting you. a reservoir of 'extra' fluid for a hydrolic brake system is necessary to compensate for caliper travel as the braking surfaces are worn away the caliper's volume increases.

aside from that mentioned barons res which is pretty nice there is a rear mc with the res built right on it all chromed & purty.

I don't mind your comments at all Gardener. The reservoir is there to let you know your system needs to be checked for level and color changes indicating parts wear as you pointed out as well as leaks and old fluid breaking down which promotes intrusion by water into the system causing the boiling points to lower as well, and my point being if you have a rubber tube with a bolt in it you loose the ability to possibly have time to catch and fix whatever problem may exist as well as it being easier to replace fluid...Coug