Front brake lever squirting

[Burnszilla]

Made it to LA. On the way I noticed my front brake lever is squirting a rusty colored fluid into my handguards. It's also squirting up into my face shield at high speeds when I squeeze the brakes. I noticed it's all wet and rusty looking around the hinge and piston. The master cylinder resevoir looks fine.
I just had my brake fluid replaced on Tuesday.

Looks like I have to go to West Valley Cycle or BMW of Hollywood.
Any other dealer recommendations in the Malibu/LA area?

What part do I need to do to fix this?

Thanks in advance.

[bmwmick]

Stephen,
Sounds like the master cylinder is leaking. Who did the fluid replacement? They may have pushed the piston into an area of the MC that has not been used in years. That will sometimes cut the seals and cause a leak. Suspicious that it occured just after the brake bleed/replace.
West Valley is probably your best bet. Not sure if Laurie stocks the MC but she might.
You could also try RPM in Ventura parts@rpmcycles.com I think BMW/NA dropped them as an "Authorized dealer" but they may still have some parts.

Good luck,
Mick

PM me if you want a local (Pepperdine) guy to contact. He may know of some parts too.

[Burnszilla]

I've phoned every BMW dealer in the LA area, RPM and the Parts Haus. No one has the master cylinder or the piston in stock.
Laurie at West Valley cycle recommends that I replace the whole master cyclinder ($150) and not just the piston ($34).
I've wrapped a rag around the lever to stop it from leaking all over.
I'll purchase a new one when I get home.

Thanks.

[bmwmick]

I seldom agree with Laurie :D but in this case she is correct!
I would be VERY wary of riding it until the new MC is on too. :stick

Mick :type

[deilenberger]

I've phoned every BMW dealer in the LA area, RPM and the Parts Haus. No one has the master cylinder or the piston in stock.
Laurie at West Valley cycle recommends that I replace the whole master cyclinder ($150) and not just the piston ($34).
I've wrapped a rag around the lever to stop it from leaking all over.
I'll purchase a new one when I get home.

Thanks.

Stephen - listen to Laurie. Good advice. If you're seeing rusty looking
fluid squirting out the cylinder itself is "toast" and no use wasting
money on the seal kit since it isn't gonna fix the problem and you'll
need the cylinder anyway.

Do try to keep the fluid from dribbling on your paint. It will rather
quickly make a mess of paint.

And as Mick said DO use extreme caution riding it (I'd basically want to
stay off it until the cylinder was replaced and the system flushed.)

Best,

[j-budimlya]

On my r1100r...this will happen if the fluid level is too high...once the level drops to normal it would stop....

not sure if you have the same condition....

jim bud