Plastic Vs Metal Master Cylinders?

[carinaman]

It's probably my inner snob, I can appreciate weight savings and the visibility of plastic and ease of seeing what's going on when replacing fluid and bleeding but does anyone else think a metal Master Cylinders seems more 'proper'?

I am being illogical and a snob because the bike I use has a plastic rear cylinder and metal front cylinder.

[OutInTheShed]

IMHO 'proper' would be respecting the difference between a master cylinder and a fluid reservoir..

It's more important to have Brembo brakes and know the fluid level is OK than to think a metal reservoir is superior to plastic.

[trickywoo]

Plastic one with a sweatband over it means you are fast as fk.

[Zarco]

OutInTheShed said:

IMHO 'proper' would be respecting the difference between a master cylinder and a fluid reservoir..

[carinaman]

Zarco said:

OutInTheShed said:

IMHO 'proper' would be respecting the difference between a master cylinder and a fluid reservoir..

I'll own it.

[black-k1]

I see no reason for a metal fluid resevoir. Other fluid resevoirs are plastic so why not this one? OP - what are you hoping to get from having a metal one?

[poo at Paul's]

I too insist on my reservoirs to be made of metal, I also only buy brake fluid in metal tins and I use an x ray machine in the garage to check fluid levels of both.
My fairings are also made out of tin.

[roboxm3]

My inner snob works in exactly the opposite manner and I find anodised aluminium brake fluid reservoirs pretty repulsive but each to their own...

[catso]

OutInTheShed said:

IMHO 'proper' would be respecting the difference between a master cylinder and a fluid reservoir..

It's more important to have Brembo brakes and know the fluid level is OK than to think a metal reservoir is superior to plastic.

Indeed, is there such a thing as a plastic master cylinder?

My limited experience of metal reservoirs is that they corrode but I 've only really seen the crappy one-piece lever/reservoirs that are too small, leak and go furry.

All mine use plastic reservoirs, have done for many years and have never had a problem of any kind - as for anodised add-ons.

[SteveKTMer]

Look at what professional teams do - if you're entering the Dakar do what they do, if you're racing on track look at what the top teams do there. Otherwise is there a reason to change ? Probably more important to see there is fluid than to have the reservoir made of metal.

[KTMsm]

Personally I'd rather see the level and colour of the fluid

How did the sweat band idea come about ? I always throw them away

[bogie]

KTMsm said:

Personally I'd rather see the level and colour of the fluid

How did the sweat band idea come about ? I always throw them away

I always thought the sweatband was to catch leaks on race bikes if they went over ? ...and of course adopted by those that want to emulate the race bike look on the road.....usually co-ordinates well with a race team paddock jacket worn over leathers to complete the look

I have metal reservoirs on 2 bikes (Triumph and Harley) and they have a sight glass for checking the level, so no downside there. Seems to be more of an expensive and possibly heavier integrated design vs the cheaper mix n match option of separate plastic fluid reservoirs.

If you have a model range with a few bikes of different spec, the manufacturer can offer different brake options, whilst keeping the same plastic containers.

[Pica-Pica]

Zarco said:

OutInTheShed said:

IMHO 'proper' would be respecting the difference between a master cylinder and a fluid reservoir..

Yes, that confused me too!