Africa Twin - Brake Fluid Replacement

Its maintenance time - 45,000km and three years, so time for a brake fluid change.

[@ALEXANDR9911]

Good work 🎉😊

[@ronsmith6242]

Great job I allways do fluid and pad clean yearly 👏

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Yes. It’s a habit I will be adopting. The brakes felt much better after the clean.

[@dBtje1980]

Good job again, but it seems like the wheel has a nasty dent in it on the right side 😓 it that noticeable while riding?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Yes. I inherited that one. But it can’t be felt when riding.

[@mattyb7736]

Did you check the service manual? Theres a spacer block dimension you need between the lever and the grip so you dont over stroke the master cylinder and damage the piston seals by pulling the lever hard to the grip. . I dont have the value handy but on the xl's its 20mm. Hopefully you haven't nicked a seal, been there, done that doing what you did.

[@rdownmakeITbetter]

Not to be critical, but. . . Always push the pistons back (as if you'd just fitted new pads) before topping up your reservoir. The whole point of the reservoir is that fluid ends up at the caliper as the pads wear. Fill it up with worn pads then push back the pistons and you'll potentially end up with too much fluid up top. Also, have you considered buying a cheap vacuum pump for this job? Few quid (dollars) and no need for all that contortion while you try to pump the brake lever while opening and closing the bleed screw. PS: I've watched your vids for a long time and just made the same change as you - from a trusty NC750X to an Africa Twin. No regrets (apart from fuel economy!)

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Good point about fluid level. I should have mentioned it. My pads are new so no problem. Vacuum pump? Where is the fun in that !🤪 Yes the AT sucks more fuel, but I’m learning to live with that. I’ve actually been surprised how similar the engine feels to the NC when just tootling around. I’m loving it.

[@pg41226]

Always satisfying to see a nice job like this done 😊 just curious, did you use ordinary car dot 4 brake fluid? Or is there special specific motorbike brake fluid? Wasn’t able to read it on the bottle you showed

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Ordinary dot4. Bikes don’t use anything different unless the bike is designed for organic fluid like Ducati’s are.

[@sabeillard]

Great job! Is it me or in minute 14:29, on the left side of the wheel, we can see the rim not perfectly round? I might be wrong... Anyway, regards from Portugal 🙂👍🇵🇹

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

You are right. I inherited that from the last owner. Fortunately it can’t be felt on the road.

[@sabeillard]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff OK 😁 Be safe, nice rides!

[@martinpenkava4704]

Hello, I have the same Africa DCT year 2020. What model are the handguards?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Barkbuster Storm. Super quality and strength. Wouldn’t have anything else.