[thordy]

Just bought my '06 1300c and have noticed a thick black oily smudge on the full circumference of the rotor. I'm guessing that it's something to do with the caliper leaking? Or is there maybe another spot I should check for a leak? Also, does this mean my pads are shot? My bike only has 6510 miles on it so I would guess the pads should be good yet otherwise.

 

[desert rat]

Oil on the pucks is not safe. If you ask me from my paid job replace them. If you want my personal opinion, you can clean them but I'm crazy as a loon on my own time.

Check the pads if they are shot something may have bound them to the disc and over heated the seals in the caliper. The only other oil in the area is the forks, lock the frount brake down and "bounce the frount end 10+ times then look for oil at the fork seals.

 

[tmichael23]

Is it possible fork seals are leaking?

 

[Deek]

Clean the pads and rotor at the very least.

 

[thundrhd]

i'M GUESSING FORK SEALS LEAKING, IF IT WE'RE BRAKE FLUID, YOU'D KNOW THE FIRST TIME YOU TRIED THE BRAKES.

 

[thordy]

Well my second guess was the fork seal but it looked like the oil was thrown out from the caliper and just a little is on the fork above the seal, and since it was just on the caliper side....maybe fork seal should be my first guess, then, or...? Will a leaky fork seal cover the whole rim and rotor?

 

[thundrhd]

Thordy, if the leak is severe enough it will cover a lot of things, have you noticed any oil spots on the pipes, or plug covers?

 

[thordy]

I just went out and looked again. I don't see oil anywhere but on the on the rim and rotor. Nothing that has been leaking down, and nothing on the chrome or fender. Pretty low miles and i really dont see signs of an accident it's in pretty good shape.

 

[thundrhd]

Kinda perplexed on this, brake fluid is more watery than thick like oil, don'tknow where else it could come from.

 

[thordy]

I know what you mean so, yeah it looks to have a heavier weight on the rotor. But I just wasn't sure if that was just from road dirt mixed into it. On the rim it is just coated enough for dust to stick to it. The oil doesn't seem to go any further than top of the rim so its not a heavy enough leak to get the tire wet. I've never really worked on a bike but have always owned older vehicles (mostly fix or repair dailys) and do all my wrenching in God's Garage. I've downloaded the manual on here (and what a good one it is) but I just need to know where to start as its still pretty cold out so my front entry has become my temporary VTX garage. heh heh Mama don't like steppin over parts to get in with the groceries.

 

[thundrhd]

Well, check the fluid reservoir window on the right front controls, if it's low, that will tell you if it's brake fluid.