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My new street glide is broke

sgdiesel said:
but brake fluid also damages standard seals used (eg nitrile o'rings) and insulation used on electric cables (PVC and PE). If a full reservoir of fluid was lying in amongst the wiring I would be concerned.

washing it down with soap and water would probably be the end of the story. Modern surface treatmens are very good should withstand a 1 off occurance like this (if it was the middle of the tank where even the slightest discolouration would annoy that would be a different case of course).
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If there's nothing else wrong, the dealer will just wash the bike and say they didn't find an problems. Being that DOT 4 is hygroscopic (water absorbing) it will brake down seals and wire insulation, but it will take some time. If it's washed off in a timely manner, there probably won't be enough damage to worry about.
And I'm sorry, but leaving all the brake fluid mess on your frame, seals and wiring until the dealer puts all this stuff in writing is purely negligent. That's like calling your insurance company to tell them your house is burning down, but not calling the fire department. Wash it off!!
 
krikket said:
If there's nothing else wrong, the dealer will just wash the bike and say they didn't find an problems. Being that DOT 4 is hygroscopic (water absorbing) it will brake down seals and wire insulation, but it will take some time. If it's washed off in a timely manner, there probably won't be enough damage to worry about.
And I'm sorry, but leaving all the brake fluid mess on your frame, seals and wiring until the dealer puts all this stuff in writing is purely negligent. That's like calling your insurance company to tell them your house is burning down, but not calling the fire department. Wash it off!!
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I guess we are all entitled to our views and have different ways of handling these things. As you say, the effect does take some time, and also this leak would have been taking place over a "long" period, so being patient for a couple of days is hardly watching your house burn down, so I don't buy in to your analogy
 
krikket said:
If there's nothing else wrong, the dealer will just wash the bike and say they didn't find an problems. Being that DOT 4 is hygroscopic (water absorbing) it will brake down seals and wire insulation, but it will take some time. If it's washed off in a timely manner, there probably won't be enough damage to worry about.
And I'm sorry, but leaving all the brake fluid mess on your frame, seals and wiring until the dealer puts all this stuff in writing is purely negligent. That's like calling your insurance company to tell them your house is burning down, but not calling the fire department. Wash it off!!
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Thanks for all the advice. This is potentially more serious than I first thought. I did run a paper towel along the bottom of the frame, and picked up some brake fluid. The dealer is closed Sun & Mon, so I will wash off as much as I can. That won't be too easy - we have a couple inches of snow. I may have to have the dealer pick it up on Tuesday. I had planned to ride it to Auburn, carefully, using the front brakes. Hopefully, it won't be icy by afternoon.
 
sgdiesel said:
I guess we are all entitled to our views and have different ways of handling these things. As you say, the effect does take some time, and also this leak would have been taking place over a "long" period, so being patient for a couple of days is hardly watching your house burn down, so I don't buy in to your analogy
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Hey diesel, it wasn't my intention to knock you or insult of you in any way, so if I came off like that, I'm sorry. I like a good debate as much as the next person, but I can come off a little rash so I apologize if I did.

As far as how long wire insulation will take to break down, I couldn't tell you. But I can tell you that brake fluid will distort a seal in less than a day, if it gets to the rubber (depends on the seal type). I used to work on cars and we had some guy come in with his brake pedal going to the floor. When I popped the hood, his master cylinder reservoir seal (big rubber piece under the cap) was almost double it's size. He apparently added power steering fluid to the master cylinder that morning and when he got out of work, he had no brakes. The rubber sucked up all the power steering fluid!!! Conversely, rubber parts not intended for use with brake fluid will give up any moisture it has, so it will shrink, crack and obviously fail. That is primarily why I made that analogy. You can't just let it sit there and eat away at the paint, seals and wiring. Yeah, I'll admit my analogy was exaggerated, but it still makes the general point. In my opinion, it's irresponsible and the dealer may note that when it comes time to decide what they may not cover.
 
I would try to take some pics if you could. Have the dealer come pick up the bike Do not try to ride it. JMO Snow on the ground & only front brakes do not fix very well.
 
krikket said:
Hey diesel, it wasn't my intention to knock you or insult of you in any way, so if I came off like that, I'm sorry. I like a good debate as much as the next person, but I can come off a little rash so I apologize if I did.

As far as how long wire insulation will take to break down, I couldn't tell you. But I can tell you that brake fluid will distort a seal in less than a day, if it gets to the rubber (depends on the seal type). I used to work on cars and we had some guy come in with his brake pedal going to the floor. When I popped the hood, his master cylinder reservoir seal (big rubber piece under the cap) was almost double it's size. He apparently added power steering fluid to the master cylinder that morning and when he got out of work, he had no brakes. The rubber sucked up all the power steering fluid!!! Conversely, rubber parts not intended for use with brake fluid will give up any moisture it has, so it will shrink, crack and obviously fail. That is primarily why I made that analogy. You can't just let it sit there and eat away at the paint, seals and wiring. Yeah, I'll admit my analogy was exaggerated, but it still makes the general point. In my opinion, it's irresponsible and the dealer may note that when it comes time to decide what they may not cover.
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No offence interpretted and certainly none taken, I can assure you of that. I specialise in hydraulics and we build complex test systems for a number of aerospace companies. These units typically use Skydrol which is the fire resistant fluids used in aircraft. This fluid is very similar to brake fluid in many ways, and from a seal compatibility perspective it is virtually identical. We are also very well versed in cable compatibility as we use PLC's to control these rigs. I have seen this stuff eat through cable like you won't believe, but that is due to maintenance negligence where this products are left lying in the fluid. I absolutely agree about seals, nitrile (or viton for that matter) o'rings do not last long at all, and this is almost certainly the seal material of choice for automotive applications

Frankly I do not believe any long term damage will be done, but I am way too cynical in general. I have personally worn too many T shirts from "doing the right thing" and then someone using that to squirm out of their responsibility. I respect your views and can see very good reason to do what you recommend, but personally I would still let the dealer sort the whole thing. If they see the mess they can make an educated judgement call and replce what is necessary and stand by their actions.
 
And I'm sorry, but leaving all the brake fluid mess on your frame, seals and wiring until the dealer puts all this stuff in writing is purely negligent. That's like calling your insurance company to tell them your house is burning down, but not calling the fire department. Wash it off!![/QUOTE]

I sprayed it down with brake cleaner; used a whole large can.

The dealer fixed it today, and I got it home and in the garage just before the rain/snow started. It was leaking around the rear brake light sensor. The whole area was throughly cleaned, and the problem documented. There was no charge, and the rear brake works fine, now. I like this new bike; I hope this is not a sign of things to come...maybe you guys worry too much. Now, you got me worried. :small3d012:
 
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cyberfish2 said:
I sprayed it down with brake cleaner; used a whole large can.

The dealer fixed it today, and I got it home and in the garage just before the rain/snow started. It was leaking around the rear brake light sensor. The whole area was throughly cleaned, and the problem documented. There was no charge, and the rear brake works fine, now. I like this new bike; I hope this is not a sign of things to come...maybe you guys worry too much. Now, you got me worried. :small3d012:
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I have a feeling you'll be ok. It seems like you were prompt enough to do something about it. If it concerns you, just keep an eye over the next couple of weeks on the general area of the leak and look for anything out of the ordinary (more leaks, paint peeling, etc.). If you find something, take it back to the dealer. Since you brought it to them for the leak and it's now documented, you will have created a time line that can explain any damage from brake fluid.

And don't let us get you worried!!:D Stuff happens, but I don't think it will be a sign of things to come.
 
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