Introduction; trying to work out the kinks

[Scytale]

Hey,

Name's Jon. Just brought my first motorcycle, a '79 XS1100SF. I'm excited for the upcoming adventures with it, and I look forward to being a part of what appears to be a great community. Before the adventures, I am trying to figure out some noticed issues, and was hoping for some information.

First, the brake reservoir on the right side of the handlebar appears to have the remnant of some sort of sticker on it. The sticker is largely gone, and it feels wet under the remainder. (1) Is the wetness all right? and (2) What did the sticker look like, and is there some replacement?



Second, I went into the garage later in the day after riding it, and saw a seal on the ground. The seal was by the kickstand, and is a hollow cone-shaped deal about 1/2" in diameter and 3/8" thick. Can anyone tell me from where the seal originated?





Again, looking forward to the motorcycle and being a part of this community. Thanks for your help!

~ Jon

[Scytale]

Sorry, moved the photos on Photobucket.

[MaximPhil]

Hi scytale,
The sticker is to tell you to use DOT3 brake fluid.
I can not think of any reason for it to be wet.
The rubber might be a piece of the stop for the stand? Have a look at the underside of the muffler to see if there is still a rubber ?
Phil

[James England]

It's difficult to judge scale from the pic but I think the rubber plug might be a carb plug..a small rubber grommet that fits into the casting on the side of here carb. More decorative than anything else...

From here?

[mack]

Plug

It is difficult to tell but if you had the battery out, there are rubber gromets like that in the fuse box side of the battery box frame as well.
If the top of the master cylinder is wet, the lid may have a crack in it. Investigate this as brake fluid is tough on your paint and keeping fluid in there for your front brakes could become an issue!

[jetmechmarty]

Mike's XS has a new top for the master cylinder with the decal on it, but it's $70. Try searching Parts-N-More or Diablo Cycle for the sticker.

[Scytale]

Those options sound like a promising place to start for both things.

Thanks for the info, everyone!

[donebysunday]

Years ago I had as local print shop do up some labels for the switch gear and MC, the MC labels were a bit off, only a purist would notice, but there are some here, and should be. You have to cut them out with an xacto or sharp small razor knife, clean the surface to make them stick. If you like PM me.

[Bikes]

Welcome, Jon.....
Only a guess because mine are missing, the grommet/seal might be for the top studs on the side cover?

[James England]

The reservoir decal is readily available as new replica...here is one I bought...

[yamtom]

regarding dampness

There may be a couple of different causes of the dampness on that brake top. Indeed, it could be leaking from inside like someone said. Also, I believe brake fluid is made from an alcohol, alcohol attracts water, so maybe the condensation that may be present from temperature changes is made worse or apparently worse by the fact that the paper may be soaked with an alcohol product.

[mrhammer2u]

Funny,...I recently found the same piece of rubber in in my parts bin. I can't figure out what the heck it's for. Has anyone made a positive ID on it yet?

[skids]

Maybe the battery breather had a plug instead of tubing and charging the battery popped it off?

[Eastcoaster]

Almost looks like the rubber grommet on the coil side of the spark plug wire?
But that would not be OEM?

[Schming]

[/QUOTE]

IMHO that seal looks to be from a flexible water supply tube used to adapt your hard copper supply feeds, H & C, to faucets or toilet.

The indent, half way down, on the cicumference of the seal, is suspect to me.

Were you working on your house and bike at the same time?

If so, what the hell were you thinking