Clutch Master Cylinder 'Float'

[indybobm]

Went to add fluid to the clutch master cylinder. After positioning the handlebars and moving the master cylinder on the handlebars to get it level, took out the screws and removed the top cover. It appears that the PO, or someone, has removed the 'Float' (item 14 on the fische). How important is the float and what happens if it is not there?

I also put on the chrome master cylinder covers my wife bought me for Christmas. When I went to take the cover off of the front brake master cylinder, the screws would not budge. The tops of the scresws do not look as nice as they used to. Looks the cover has never been off.

[Patrick]

Those screws like to get themselves stuck and damaging them is kinda normal.. If they don't come loose easily then a little hand impact driver works well.. When putting everything together a little dab of never-sieze is a good thing.. As far as the floater is concerned,, I don't think it'll matter.. But,, when you place an order for anything it'll probably be a good time to get one..

[BonS]

I've always believed that the diaphragm reduces the surface area that is exposed to humidity / moisture and therefore slows down the absorption of water. It also catches the splash that comes with activation of the master cylinder so the lid of the reservoir isn't dripping brake fluid that can then leak around the sides and get into the screw threads and corrode them.

[indybobm]

Thanks for the replies, I have the diaphram, it is the white 'floater' that goes beneath it that I am missing.

[John Schmidt]

Often you can loosen screws like that with the use of the hand impact driver by tapping slightly in a "tightening" direction first. After a couple taps like that, then try loosening them. Over 50 yrs. ago, I watched a kid try to loosen some on the side of a B-52 with no luck. An old Tech. sargent came up and showed him that trick; a couple raps while applying pressure in a CW direction, then go CCW and they came right out. Been doing it ever since, especially on the float bowl screws in the Valk. 

[Ricky-D]

I feel that the float you are mentioning is simply an aid to help see the fluid level in the window of the master cylinder.

***

[hubcapsc]

I feel that the float you are mentioning is simply an aid to help see the fluid level in the window of the master cylinder.

***

I got that notion myself when I was bleeding my front brake this weekend...

As far as the screws... they're disguised to look like phillips head screws, but they're something else 

I have a cheap screwdriver with a tray of 20 or 30 different bits... one of them fits perfectly....

I stared at the chewed up rusty ones that were on my bike when I got it for a few years and then
got some new ones from HDL... $2.50 each... could only find black ones to fit locally...

-Mike

[Lucky Duck]

The screwdriver in the tool kit fits perfectly. I usually use it with the T-handle if I need more torque.

[BonS]

This is a good explanation of the JIS versus Phillips screw standard. They two are easily confused and easily screwed up with phillips screwdrivers.

http://tinyurl.com/d39ddl2

[sandy]

The float is there to prevent the fluid from squirting up while pumping during the bleeding process. It also reduces the surface area of fluid exposed to air in the reservoir. IMHO: Wait till you need other stuff and order one then.