Ducati Monster Forum

Local Clubs => OZ monsters => Topic started by: White Lion on April 23, 2011, 12:32:14 AM

Title: Brake lever rot....
Post by: White Lion on April 23, 2011, 12:32:14 AM
Near where the adjuster is on both brake and clutch levers i seem to be getting a 'rot' happening on the metal. I haven't spilt any fluid on it, and it seems to be slowly spreading. It is basically a system of white lines, (not cracks, more like curved lines) that look absolutely horrible

Oh, it's an S4Rs with the brembos from new

Anyone ever seen it before??
Title: Re: Brake lever rot....
Post by: loony888 on April 23, 2011, 12:54:38 AM
it's brake fluid eating the paint hugh, even though it hasn't leaked it still seems to be able to eat the paint, usually the reservoir cap and the levers near the master cylinder plunger.
you can run the reservoir a little lower than max to limit the cap being eaten away but the only way to limit the damage to the lever is to keep it a bit cleaner, this usually happens to bikes that get ridden then parked up without being washed soon after. there will always be mist from the fluid settling and the only way to limit it is to wash the bike.
hope it helps,
paul.
Title: Re: Brake lever rot....
Post by: dan_t on April 23, 2011, 02:43:16 AM
Curious, if this occurred & the bike was still under warranty, would this be replacable under the warranty?
Title: Re: Brake lever rot....
Post by: FIFO on April 23, 2011, 02:53:29 AM
What a lot of Rot [laugh]

I think the term is corrosion

Corrosion is the primary means by which metals deteriorate. Most metals corrode on contact with water (and moisture in the air), acids, bases, salts, oils, aggressive metal polishes, and other solid and liquid chemicals.

To slow down this process the metal is plated , painted  or something to protect it from corroding.
And the finish applied to Ducati parts can be a bit dubious at the best of times.
You could slow the process up a bit buy wiping the part with wd40

My levers were in the same condition you describe when i bought mine  :'(
And are silver or just the plain alloy finish. i removed them sanded of the clear lacquer on them polished them up a bit,and resprayed them with clear lacquer,come up real good. [thumbsup]
If yours are black do the same and spray them with VHT brand engine or brake caliper paint available from most auto shops.

Or buy a new set of pazzo or crg levers [thumbsup]

Oh and to minimise the corrosion effects, clean the Bike bike with something like Meguiars ez clean bike wash low ph ,and use some sort of bike detailng polish or mr sheen to protect the finish ;)
http://www.meguiars.com.au/product_2006.php?category=MOTORCYCLE&subcat=Wash%20and%20Maintain&show=5 (http://www.meguiars.com.au/product_2006.php?category=MOTORCYCLE&subcat=Wash%20and%20Maintain&show=5)


Title: Re: Brake lever rot....
Post by: White Lion on April 24, 2011, 04:17:58 AM
Thanks guys, i know corrosion is the correct term but honestly , 'rot' explains the look of it a lot better. I have billet caps on the reservoirs, but i can't figure out how the fluid is making it's way to point surrounding the lever adjusters  ??? No where else, just there...
Title: Re: Brake lever rot....
Post by: FIFO on April 24, 2011, 04:25:49 AM

It's not uncommon, just caused from the elements and worse if your buy the sea side, and crappy protective finish and alloy.

Yer i thought you knew, was being facetious ;D
Title: Re: Brake lever rot....
Post by: loony888 on April 24, 2011, 11:46:45 PM
is that like sarcasm?
Title: Re: Brake lever rot....
Post by: FIFO on April 25, 2011, 12:11:17 AM
A quick look at the dictionary there is a difference, I think facetious is more polite  :D


witty language used to convey insults or scorn; "he used sarcasm to upset his opponent";

bantering: cleverly amusing in tone; "a bantering tone"; "facetious remarks"; "tongue-in-cheek advice"


Title: Re: Brake lever rot....
Post by: loony888 on April 25, 2011, 01:08:51 AM
is niiiiiiice!
Title: Re: Brake lever rot....
Post by: Twizted on April 26, 2011, 02:15:02 AM
Yeh mine have done this on my M1000. Just gonna replace with some Pazzo knock offs.
Title: Re: Brake lever rot....
Post by: loony888 on April 28, 2011, 02:50:49 AM
pazzo knock offs?
would that make them knock offs of CRG copies then? ;D