Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Rev counter not right. Air in brake system

[twpd]

If your brakes go spongy after using them hard a few times then there is a simple cause..it's either air or water or both. Nothing else.

Sometimes it helps to leave the bike on its sidestand overnight with the reservoir cap off and the lever clamped to the bar. It's a common trick. Also I often tap the brake lines when bleeding them - helps the air rise back up the line to the reservoir.

[polarexpress]

Thanks a lot for the info, demon and twpd!

I'll continue using DOT 5.1 after all, then. I guess the slight discolouration I see over time is the result of water and UV-light but I'm not going to worry about it as I am replacing the "old" fluid with fresh fluid regularly.

[twpd]

FWIW, dunno if it helps you feel better but, I change the fluid in my race bike after every race meeting. It's cheap after all - not suggesting you do that but once every 6 months is a good measure for keep everything tip top.

[KeefyB]

Some great info on this thread.Keep it up fellas.

[Strada916]

Originally Posted by twpd

Sometimes it helps to leave the bike on its sidestand overnight with the reservoir cap off and the lever clamped to the bar.

That is a good tip, but I would not leave the reservoir cap off overnight. That would allow moisture in the air to be absorbed into your brake fluid.
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