ssup guys! i just got a new f3 yesterday and im really happy with it. i have a little problem though. i forgot to check the brakes and after a 20-minute ride on the f3, i noticed that the front brake caliper was leaking what i believe to be brake fluid. it is a pretty strong leak but it stops when the bike is not in use. what do the experts suggest that i check first? also, ive been told that the pads need replacing. thanks in advance guys..

 

unless you are good with mechanics i would take it to the shop certain things on a bike you just leave it to the pros . maybe someone around the site can give u an idea so if you go to the shop they wont try to rip u off

 

Bah - I say there's nothing on a bike the owner shouldn't be able to repair.

Carbs and tranny's are about the only thing I would go to a shop for. Being the brakes, it might take a while to get it - but it's not like you can mistake a good brake line job with no air in the lines... you're either gonna know it's working with no leak, or it's not.

I dunno - I think people are too quick to hand their bike over to a relative stranger sometime. I'm not saying that's what's happening here, but I see it a lot.

Seems most people will only go to their fairings or maybe even take their gas tanks off. Screw that - tear that bitch apart and do what needs done.

 

so what part of the caliper is leaking? the bleeder screw? what? what? what?
brakes are relatively easy to do...and straight forward...
if it's leaking from the pistons then you will most likely want to rebuild the calipers as the seals are shot.

yes it won't leak when the bike is not in use since the pressure within the system is much lower than if you were squeezing the lever over and over again.

 

You mentioned that someone told you you needed new brake pads...how bad are they? I've seen some that have been worn down so far that the metal backing plate was almost gone and in this case, the caliper piston was pushed out so far that it came out of the piston seal and was leaking. Extreme case, granted, but its possible. I'll agree with Tahoe in that if its leaking from somewhere around the brake pads, chances are you've got a bum piston seal and will need rebuilding.

 

thanks for all the help guys.. i have yet to check which part exactly is leaking.. i have been told that there is 30% left on the pads.. on average, how long should that last?. oh well, wont really matternowcuz ill be changing the whole thing anyway, pads, calipers and all.. that is as soon as i find a mechanic here in san diego.. maybe ill try tightening all the bolts on the caliper, maybe that will help..