R6 Blue Dot Brake caliper cleaning /seal change
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:00 pm
This How-to describes the process of cleaning and resealing blue-dot (and gold-dot) calipers.
Sorry no pics right now but I’ll be editing and adding them later.
The R6 99-02 blue dot brake calipers have limited space and can only be taken apart with an unavailable special tool that unscrews the blue through the calipers. Without the tool, the calipers can not be taken apart. So i used the following process to clean and reseal my calipers.
Put the bike up on a stand and remove the brake calipers and brake lines. Place the calipers in a work area that is clean and clear of any debris.
You will need a bunch of long zip ties.
An air compressor
Lots of brake fluid
Simple green cleaner (don't use brake cleaner)
a tooth brush
lots of shop lint free rags/towels
Zip tie around 3 of the pistons so they can't come out, then use your compressor to blow air into the brake line hole. Put a rag in the caliper so the pistons are protected, be sure to keep your fingers clear because the one piston you did not zip tie will pop out with some force.
Now spray it up with simple green and clean everything with the tooth brush or a (green) Scotchbrite pad. Use a small seal pick to remove the seals, they pop out real easy. Clean everything again inside with the simple green.
Now install the new seals and slide the piston back in.
Zip tie the clean piston, remove the zip tie off of 1 of the others and repeat.
When all done, re-install the calipers, brake lines and fluid, bleed the system and enjoy your ride.