Re: Master Cylinder Kits

["Al Peirson" <albeemer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

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Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 05:28:52 -0400
From: "william kenney" <tnt720@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Master Cylinder Kits in the USA

- - ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Don MacQueen" <dmac@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "R1100 Mailing List" <oilheads@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 12:34 AM
Subject: Re: Master Cylinder Leak


>>
> I would heartily agree.  The notion that a rebuild (replacement of
> seals) isn't a "permanent" fix is off base, to put it mildly.  Along
> that vein, one could say that you should replace the forks if you
> blow a fork seal, or an entire wheel if a bearing goes out.
>
> *Why* BMW doesn't offer the seals is beyond me.
>
Big Snip.......

Don, I ansered this a month ago but it looks like you missed it.
BMW does sell a rebuild kit (seals and piston) for these bikes.....JUST NOT
IN THE USA!

You can thank the  lawyers and product liablility laws in this country for
that..............."gee, If I rebuild my brakes with the parts that BMW
sells me and get into an accident the next month or so......I think I will
SUE BMW and say the brakes were bad....they should have known better than to
sell me the parts.....GET IT?????

Look up Motobins (England) and they will sell you the kit for around 30
bucks. I got mine in three or four days.

HTH
Bill Kenney
Foster,RI
96R1100RS

Al sez:

The problem with using a rebuild kit is that the DOT-4 and below brake fluid
is very corrosive.  Not only does it destroy painted surfaces upon contact,
but over time it will corrode the master cylinder (which is why it started
leaking).  Then when you replace the rubber parts, they will again be
damaged by the master cylinder.  You must hone out the master cylinder to
ensure smoothness to preclude damage.  Then an oversize replacement kit may
be needed.

I installed a new master cylinder on my 97 RT when I discovered the
corrosion was too deep to warrant a rebuild.  Then I had DOT-5 silicone
brake fluid installed with the new cylinder.  While mention of this usually
initiates controversy, I am not interested in hearing all the potential
horror scenarios possible with DOT-5.  I have 20 years of experience with
DOT-5 in BMW motorcyles, and have never had a problem in any of numerous
machines.  One airhead had DOT-5 installed, and was never changed. No part
of the system was ever replaced (except pads) and it was as clear as the day
it was installed, ten (10) years later.

The new master cylinder was installed on my RT, along with DOT-5, two (2)
years ago.  I do not ever expect to replace any part of the system, other
than pads, again.  It was necessary to bleed the ABS, as well as the
cylinders.

Al

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