a quarter

[rustyfingerz]

Getting my new to me RT ready for a ride to Bristol, Tenn for the race,

I thaought I would do a quick brake pad install.

Removed the brake reservoir lid to suck out some fluid. there was a quarter lying on the bottom,covering the inlet hole to the brake line.

What the... sabotage? mechanics trick? any one? what possible reason is there for it being there? What damage could result? any one heard of this?

wtf

[xharley97]

Cheap fix?

[4wheeldog]

I bet it is to keep the squirt from shooting out of the reservoir when the squeeze the handle. It really should not have been left in there, though.

[dirtrider]

Afternoon rustyfingerz

 

It really won’t/didn’t hurt anything as the very small amount of make-up fluid needed to keep the master cylinder piston area full can easily flow around and under the quarter.

 

That is an old bike mechanics trick to keep the brake fluid from jetting up out of the take up port hole like geyser when brake bleeding (I usually use a razor blade myself).

 

You can remove it or leave it without any issues.

 

[AndyS]

What the... sabotage? mechanics trick? any one? what possible reason is there for it being there? What damage could result? any one heard of this?

wtf

No not April the 1st!

As others have said, it is invaluable for protecting paintwork when you bleed and release the front brake lever. However, it should be taken out on completion of the bleeding process.

If I were you I'd remove it, clean it and keep it in your pocket for a rainy day.

Also, when you come to blled the system again, you could use it.

I use a Stanley knife blade.

Andy

 

[Boffin]

I use a Stanley knife blade.

Andy

 

So do I, though our transatlantic friends would know it as a box-cutter blade.

 

Andy

[rustyfingerz]

Great, i was thinking some chemical reaction with our artificial silver,

or some sinister scheme. but it does make sense.never stop learning.

Thanks

Mark

[ESokoloff]

.....never stop learning.

 

Yep & here is the next tidbit.

The control reservoirs (hand & foot) are for the control input on the ABS module.

When you retract the pads that sends excess fluid back into the reservoir on the ABS module.

 

From the M/C FAQ page(located just below "Community Since" at the top of the page)

 

Wheel Circuit bleed

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=9225

 

 

Control Circuit Bleed

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=10156

 

 

Also don't forget the clutch

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=10190

 

Here is some additional good info from advrider.com

 

http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/service_abs3.pdf

 

http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/abs3_filling_adapter.pdf

[Jim Moore]

That is an old bike mechanics trick to keep the brake fluid from jetting up out of the take up port hole like geyser when brake bleeding

 

That's freaking brilliant.

[mrduck]

Just finished doing the brake flush on my 04 RT....so, in honor of this thread, I used the quarter

 

 

Thanks

Don J

[dirtrider]

Afternoon Don

 

A long time mechanic friend of mine uses a quarter also. I prefer something more metallic (like a razor blade or box cuter blade) so I can easily remove it with a magnet when done.

 

[Stan Walker]

I prefer something more metallic

 

They use plastic quarters where you live now?

 

Stan

[TracyMurphy]

Ok, I am getting ready for this project, first time, and guess I am a little slow. Do you use the quarter to keep the brake fluid from squirting up and not reinstall the cover until you are done??

[dirtrider]

Morning Tracy

 

Yep, just place it over the take-up port hole in the bottom of the master cylinder. That way you can leave the cover off and not have fluid squirting up out of the reservoir.

Just be sure whatever you use is CLEAN.

 

 

Still, to be on the safe side do cover exposed plastic and the dash area as brake fluid will ruin those in a heartbeat.