What's the purpose of a reservoir sock?

[TX Repsol]

OK - I have to ask.

Are the socks purely aesthetic or do they serve a functional purpose?

[cb1974]

OK - I have to ask.

Are the socks purely aesthetic or do they serve a functional purpose?

purely aesthetic

:D

[Big Kahuna]

purely aesthetic

:D

+1

[dwdrummer]

purely aesthetic

:D

Not really, Some guys say they keep the oil from seeping out on to the track when you race...glen

[cb1974]

Not really, Some guys say they keep the oil from seeping out on to the track when you race...glen

hmmmmmm......not saying it is not true, but i have never heard that one before.

[dwdrummer]

hmmmmmm......not saying it is not true, but i have never heard that one before.

i think its just in case it were to leak..

[cb1974]

hmmm i guess that would be pretty usefull if that happened. I never thought about it that way.

[TX Repsol]

Not really, Some guys say they keep the oil from seeping out on to the track when you race...glen

I posed the same question to a friend of mine - he mentioned that the socks are used to limit U/V exposure to the fluids. Haven't done any research to back that up, but it sounds logical.

[ZZGIXXER]

hmmmmmm......not saying it is not true, but i have never heard that one before.

IT IS TRUE.....that is the purpose of the sock on the reservoirs. if the material is soft enough to absorb any fluid, stopping it from getting to the plastics.

and for getting it to tires or other fragile hoses or materials.

[MeanMachine]

IT IS TRUE.....that is the purpose of the sock on the reservoirs. if the material is soft enough to absorb any fluid, stopping it from getting to the plastics.

and for getting it to tires or other fragile hoses or materials.

NOT true. Aesthetic only. The brake and hydraulic clutch systems are sealed systems, and a leak at the reservoir is a serious problem that would need to be attended to asap. Besides, what makes you think that a leak will only be at the reservoir? Might as well wrap a sock on the calipers, the lines, etc. :rolleyes:

If you have a leak, its best to know immediately. And the best way to know is to see it.

[ZZGIXXER]

NOT true. Aesthetic only. The brake and hydraulic clutch systems are sealed systems, and a leak at the reservoir is a serious problem that would need to be attended to asap. Besides, what makes you think that a leak will only be at the reservoir? Might as well wrap a sock on the calipers, the lines, etc. :rolleyes:

If you have a leak, its best to know immediately. And the best way to know is to see it.

the reservoirs are not seal !!!!! they are screwed along with a rubber cap. if you tighten them properly they should not leak.....also the sock are used just in case.....but you always have to be ready for anything. i have used them for 18 years. and even in the tracks. some of us think...that it is true. opinions vary !!!!

[MeanMachine]

the reservoirs are not seal !!!!! they are screwed along with a rubber cap. if you tighten them properly they should not leak.....also the sock are used just in case.....but you always have to be ready for anything. i have used them for 18 years. and even in the tracks. some of us think...that it is true. opinions vary !!!!

When anything is tightened properly it should not leak. Thats my point, you dont use a sock just in case you are too stupid to screw a cap on!

And yes, it is a sealed system, meaning not vented to outside air. You need to learn more before you come here and start acting like an expert.

[Big Kahuna]

When anything is tightened properly it should not leak. Thats my point, you dont use a sock just in case you are too stupid to screw a cap on!

And yes, it is a sealed system, meaning not vented to outside air. You need to learn more before you come here and start acting like an expert.John, dude, you need to relax a bit. I've notice you seem to get your feathers ruffled quite easily, and quickly jump on other members. Remember, we are all friends here and each have our own set of knowledge to bring to the forum. I'd like to keep this site friendly and attacks like these are becoming more and more prevalent.

So, what's the difference if someone wants to put a sock on there bike, for whatever reason. Nothing is ever set in stone, bikes vibrate, screws loosen. Anything can happen and who knows, in the event that something does happend, it would probably be beneficial to have the sock on there. Sure, probably never happen, but who can really say for sure?

[MeanMachine]

Sorry BK, but when people self proclaim themselves as experts on subjects thats are purely opinion based, it annoys me. Primarily because there are always less informed members that will buy into it hook, line and sinker. If its an opinion, state it as such, but he definitively said IS WAS THE purpose in one post, and he has 18 years of experience to back it up in another. Sorry, but in this case I had to pull out the BS card.

Lets get technical for a minute. You put a sock on the brake reservoir, it leaks, it wicks through the sock and drips off the bottom of the sock where you can't see it. You don't notice the fluid level went down because the sock covers it. Fluid level gets too low, air in the system, spongy brakes, potential catastrophe. A sock like that (wristband basically) will soak up a little bit but not that much, and if you do have a popped cap or other major leak, it could very well prevent you from seeing it while riding and get you into a serious bind.

The reservoirs are see-through for a reason. Everything on a performance machine has a purpose. In this case, to visibly see your fluid level at a glance. Thats also one reason they are placed high, in your line of sight.

[Big Kahuna]

Sorry BK, but when people self proclaim themselves as experts on subjects thats are purely opinion based, it annoys me. Primarily because there are always less informed members that will buy into it hook, line and sinker. If its an opinion, state it as such, but he definitively said IS WAS that way in one post, and he has 18 years of experience to back it up in another. Sorry, but in this case I had to pull out the BS card.

Lets get technical for a minute. You put a sock on the brake reservoir, it leaks, it wicks through the sock and drips off the bottom of the sock where you can't see it. You don't notice the fluid level went down because the sock covers it. Fluid level gets too low, air in the system, spongy brakes, potential catastrophe. A sock like that (wristband basically) will soak up a little bit but not that much, and if you do have a popped cap or other major leak, it could very well prevent you from seeing it while riding and get you into a serious bind.

The reservoirs are see-through for a reason. Everything on a performance machine has a purpose. In this case, to visibly see your fluid level at a glance.I haven't seen anyone "proclaiming they are an expert", and in fact he only states that he has used them for the past 18 years. He even confirms your statement that if you tighten them properly, they shouldn't leak. For whatever reason, race teams do use them, why, I guess we will never truly know until someone asks one of the tuners.

I'm going to send a message to Dave Moss (the only true tuner I know) who is tuning for AMA rider Chaz Davies. Maybe he can shed some light on the real reason why the do this.

Can we all agree that this horse has been fully beaten? The socks should be ready any day now, so basically if you want one I will have them available soon, if you don't then that's cool too.

[cbx054]

IT IS TRUE.....that is the purpose of the sock on the reservoirs. if the material is soft enough to absorb any fluid, stopping it from getting to the plastics.

and for getting it to tires or other fragile hoses or materials.

I don't know about ultraviolet light, but I used to wrap a strip terrycloth towel material around hydraulic fluid reservoirs and tie it with safety wire when I was roadracing back in the 80s after some fluid leaked out and crazed my faceshield during a race. It’s not a good thing to have a leak, but you really don’t want to stop in the middle of the race to fix it.

[michaelarussell]

I have a JORDAN wristband on mine! For no reason at all! I just think it looks cool. I remove it once a week to check out the fluid. I can't see the air in my tires either but I assume that it's okay in there! I check the tire pressure to know for sure though! Like anything else, if you put the wristband on and NEVER looked at it, you could run into trouble but as long as you monitor it (like you do tire pressure, oil level, chain tension, etc.) I don't see the harm in covering it. Not trying to get anyone angry, that's just my opinion. . . . . . .

As far as serving a purpose, I saw a small atricle in one of the motorcycle mags and they said they are there on the racetrack in case they have to add fluid during the race, it catches overspill without doing much else. Just easier to have it on there than have to quickly wipe the fluid off parts!!!!! Made sense to me!

[Big Kahuna]

Okay, I heard back from Dave Moss, who is currently tuning for Chaz Davies' AMA effort and all around suspension GOD!!!!

I asked Dave:

"Can you please tell me why race teams use those little socks that go around the front brake reservoir? We have them on our street bikes, and I figured they were just for show. Is there a true purpose why race teams use these on their bikes and is there any true need to use them on the street?"

Dave's response:

"The question is a good one - they use them to stop any brake fluid from spilling/weeping out of the reservoir onto the visor, paint or worse, dripping onto the tires. Most of the modern reservoirs don't have a clamp on them to stop the cap coming loose.

There's no real need to use them on the street at all but if the cap is loose it will stop the fluid from leaking onto the tank and ruining the paint, and that's a good thing!"

DaveSo it seems that are suspicions were correct in that the socks are used to prevent the leaking or weeping of brake fluid onto vital parts. Granted, on our street bikes they are more for show but race teams even at it's highest level use them to prevent such harmful fluid from causing too much damage.

[diel11]

Depending on what type of brake fluid and how hard the brakes are used, it will sometimes boil from the heat created under racing conditions. Compared to the brake lines and crush washers, the rubber seal that the diaphram makes on the reservoir is the weakest point. The extra pressure from the boiling brake fluid will escape thru that seal. So the race teams have been putting covers on their reservoirs to soak the fluid up. I would seriously doubt that anyone in the street would use their brakes that hard but it still looks ok. The reservoirs are clear for a reason but we as responsible riders should be checking the brakes before every ride anyway. And if something happens while you're riding that affects the brakes, you won't need to look at the reservoir to figure it out.:D

[TX Repsol]

Big K and diel11:

Where the heck were those two responses on April 23rd? Could've saved a lot of drama... :p

[sickrick]

come on guys its for cleaning the bugs off your face shield :D

[Thrasher]

Well I am an expert with over 45 years experience in everything and it is FOR---KEEPING THE FLUID FROM CATCHING A COLD. PERIOD, I know because T.E.LAWRENCE had one and told me so, Fonzie had one too.:eek:

[diel11]

Well I am an expert with over 45 years experience in everything and it is FOR---KEEPING THE FLUID FROM CATCHING A COLD. PERIOD, I know because T.E.LAWRENCE had one and told me so, Fonzie had one too.:eek:

Dude, there is clearly something wrong with you!!! :D:D:D
That's some funny stuff right there. Fonzie???

[yamahonda]

Fonzie had one too.:eek:

lol...This has nothing to do with the resevoir sock issue but, if the Fonz were around today he'd be considered gay.

[Big Kahuna]

lol...This has nothing to do with the resevoir sock issue but, if the Fonz were around today he'd be considered gay.Maybe so, but he'd stick kick your ass! :D

[yamahonda]

Maybe so, but he'd stick kick your ass! :D

ok I submit :( all hail Fonzie!! :D

[Thrasher]

Right on Diel11, I am a bit off kilter but I suspect most everyone here is in on way or another I just enjoy being more out there. Why the hell would I buy such a cool bike if I were normal? nope , If I were what they consider normal my wife would have a Mini van and I would have a 4 cylinder camry, Crap I cant even spell that boring car Toyota makes.:D

[Radicalr6]

The sock does have a use in street use. It covers the fluids from being directly exposed to the sun. It will keep the the fluids cooler if no direct sunlight hits the reservoirs meaning you will get better braking if your oil is cooler. If exposed to the sun it will loose its integrity quicker. It has the same type of effect in the cold. It will keep the oil warm, because you dont want your oils to go cold.

End of Discussion!


Thread Closed

[hondapowered]

Well if you get the HRC ones it adds 5 hp to your rotating mass :evilgrin:

[REPSOL499]

When anything is tightened properly it should not leak. Thats my point, you dont use a sock just in case you are too stupid to screw a cap on!

And yes, it is a sealed system, meaning not vented to outside air. You need to learn more before you come here and start acting like an expert.

actually no, they are not sealed, take a close look inside the caps, there is a air groove. it would create a vacuum inside the reservoir as the fluid went down, same as a vent in your fuel tank, the rubber bladders are inside to help deter leaking and help as a moisture barrier, some people have gone so far as to say the socks are to help create a deterent for moisture getting to the fluid also, but as they say "opinions are like........

[ECMFab]

Ive always heard they were to prevent seepage. I dont know if thats even a word, but thats my story and Im sticking to it!

[Repsol47]

The sock does have a use in street use. It covers the fluids from being directly exposed to the sun. It will keep the the fluids cooler if no direct sunlight hits the reservoirs meaning you will get better braking if your oil is cooler. If exposed to the sun it will loose its integrity quicker. It has the same type of effect in the cold. It will keep the oil warm, because you dont want your oils to go cold.

End of Discussion!


Thread Closed

:rolleyes:

[cowboyadam]

:rolleyes:

LMAO... :thumbsup:

[Radicalr6]

:rolleyes:


lols.:evilgrin:

[Teamzigen]

purely aesthetic

:D

+1

[ScorpionBabe]

purely aesthetic

:D

Aesthetic?.....enuf said, I want some :)

[ko929]

I posed the same question to a friend of mine - he mentioned that the socks are used to limit U/V exposure to the fluids. Haven't done any research to back that up, but it sounds logical.


I know its an old thread. I hear the socks are for UV protection. I know people that run covers on the coolant tanks to prevent this. The coolant tanks i'm referrring to, are pertaining to the honda/acura nsx. the nsx-r version from japan has a black cover to protect the fluids from UV rays.

i put mine on my bike so they would look cool!!!!!

[fredie]

how dare you newbies post in a prihistoric thread . you will be banned in hell now :eek:

[JohnnyComeLately]

I've upgraded countless bikes' front brakelines and all it took was ONE to have me instantly hooked on the socks. My stock Repsol windscreen got a tiny spray of brake fluid, and yes the cap was on correctly.

To me, it is the same as safety wire and frame sliders. No one ever INTENDS to use them. I've put 100,000s of miles on bikes without any critical bolts coming undone (unless you count the one time the clutch bolt came out on the 405, but I pulled over and simply screwed it back in) and you won't hear me arguing against safety wire.

If a $4 sock can POTENTIALLY save a $80 windscreen, that's money well spent in my book...even if you ALWAYS put the cap on correctly, never spray, etc. You should be checking all your fluids, anyway, everytime you ride or fill up with gas. I've seen quite a few "sockless" bikes smoke the engine from low oil.


To put this in a funny light, only stunters with cages ever INTENTIONALLY use the safety gear.

[ko929]

how dare you newbies post in a prihistoric thread . you will be banned in hell now :eek:

its PREhistoric.:rolleyes: