Confused - bleed or topup brake fluid?

[richrock]

Like the subject -

I've been told I can top up the master cylinder reservoir, but cannot find any evidence that this is done on Google...

So - can I top up the brake fluid, or is it a complete bleed job?

Unsure as the level seems to vary from hour to hour at the moment....
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I has a motorbikes: Kawasaki GPZ500s (1999)- theory passed 12/06/12, test passed 10/07/12

[TUG]

What do your pads look like? Low on friction material? The fluid goes lower as the piston pushes out more.
To top up fluid is just like topping anything up, just put some more in, Bleeding is to remove old fluid and air from the system, if the fluid hasn't been changed in a while it can make braking a hell of a better experiance.
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Haz ER-5, innit!

[richrock]

I'll have a look - reckon the fluid got changed recently at the last service, and probably hasn't been bled properly.

Pads look new, they're plenty grippy, but the fluid level dropped quite a bit since yesterday....
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I has a motorbikes: Kawasaki GPZ500s (1999)- theory passed 12/06/12, test passed 10/07/12

[.....]

The fluid shouldn't really be noticeably dropping as it's a closed system i.e. the brake fluid doesn't get used up.

Have you checked for leaks?

[TUG]

Check for leaks. If its got rubber hoses on then they can tear and you'll lose both compression and fluid. or if it had new seals fitted any where check them also.
Seems quite odd.
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Haz ER-5, innit!

[richrock]

Had a look, cables seem fine, did a few firm squeezes on the brakes and nothing seemed to seep from the piston area, on the cable or even the brake levers.

The brake pads themselves are plenty thick.

Can really only think that it wasn't bled. I'll get some more fluid and top up, plus keep a check on it this week. Thanks!
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I has a motorbikes: Kawasaki GPZ500s (1999)- theory passed 12/06/12, test passed 10/07/12

[TUG]

I'm guessing its a YBR125? The brakes are shit on them, and the reading will change based and where you turn the handle bars, if theres any imperfections, i.e. bump on the floor or something you will get a false reading. YBRs tend to be a bike that problems don't occur on, specially with the injection range.
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Haz ER-5, innit!

[richrock]

Actually, now you mention that, I *did* alter the levers to suit my hands last night....
____________________
I has a motorbikes: Kawasaki GPZ500s (1999)- theory passed 12/06/12, test passed 10/07/12

[TUG]