What kind of bike do you ride Pinetag?
Disc or drum brakes?

 

I just had to remove a broken off head cover bolt on my 05 450R. I drilled out the center with a smaller bit and then took a real small screw driver and worked it out until I could get a pair of pliers on it. Only problem is finding someone that actually carries the new OEM head cover bolts (which is nobody in a 50 mile radius, I've checked). I did find a useable replacement for the weekend that will be swapped out ASAP. Anyways, I'd drill the center out and try to work it out that way.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Schickie

What kind of bike do you ride Pinetag?

Disc or drum brakes?</end quote></div>

I've got a Honda Recon so drum brakes all the way around.

 

You may want pull your drums and check for bad wheel cylinders. The fluid should not just disappear on it's own.

 

What would I be looking for? This bike is used and the guy I bought it from said he never used the front brake so who knows when the last time it was actually applied.

I guess my statement earlier when I said it was dry was a little misleading. It wasn't bone dry, in fact it was slightly moist inside (residual fluid) but there was no standing liquid in the box. Does hydraulic fluid evaporate over time?

 

No. The system is sealed, so nothing should evaporate.

There must be a leak somewhere, most likely wheel cylinder like posted above.

How old is this machine? How does the fluid that was in there look?

If it's older/neglected, it might be easier in the long run to rebuild both wheel cylinders, and the master cylinder, and maybe replace the hoses... Assuming the machine is worth the investment.

 

It's a 2000 and it's in pretty good shape. Mechanically it all works well. The body plastic is in fair condition. The inside of the box was moist and the fluid that i wiped off was slick and fairly clear looking, not gummy or dirty.

I'll check it over for leaks.