restoring your brake system

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-Holiday · #1 Unread post by **-Holiday** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:42 am

I picked up a 76 Cb360T I'm going to restore this winter. Its my first full motorcycle restore project. I have a page ill be updating about it here:
www.bustedgroove.com/machine/360.asp

Anyhow, the bike had been sitting for what I was told was two years. I opened up the brake resevoir on the handlebars and there was nothing in it but dust.

What is the best way to flush the brake system when this happens? Do i need to replace all the lines and take the front calipers apart and everything?

I've never seen a vehicle sit around so long the brake fluid turned to dust, so i'm not really sure how to attack this problem...

Can this happen in a two year period?

Thanks for any help.

#2 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:57 am

I seriously doubt it turned to dust in two years. Is it possible it had a leak and all the fluid leaked out leaving just enough residue to solidify?

In any case, I would purchase a caliper and master cylinder rebuild kit, and would replace the lines entirely. You may be able to pick up some better specimens (referring to the caliper and master cylinder) on eBay for a decent price. Whatever you do, take your time. The slightest oversight could require draining the system and tearing something apart again. And get some good EBC pads and a bottle of Valvoline Synthetic brake fluid.

Good luck!

flynrider · #3 Unread post by **flynrider** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:29 pm

Zoo's right. Your fluid didn't turn to dust, it leaked out somewhere. I'd also recommend rebuilding both cylinders and changing all of the flexible brake lines. The ones you have could be original and rubber tends to get hard and brittle when it's been sitting around for a long time. Even if they hold pressure now, you could be in for a nasty surprise when one of them bursts. Once you've got your cylinders rebuilt and new lines, just fill up the reservoir and bleed the system and you're ready to go (or stop).