Brake reservoir cap float...!

[radguzzi]

So I was bleeding the brakes on the LeMans, the pedal did not seem to be as firm as it had been during a ride.  At some point while checking the rear and then heading to the left/front caliper I must have stepped on the reservoir cap.  Awesome. 

What does the float actually do and do I need to replace it...?  I did not observe the configuration of he assembly prior to the accident, can I put this back together...?

I may have one here from either the Convert or my Son's CX, I'll go check.

BTW, the brakes are great again, just a little air in that front line. 

Thanks
Rob

[guzzisteve]

What does it do? It tells you w/a light on dash when you are almost out of fluid. I was out of fluid on my Cal2 and saw no light, wires are not connected.
Some have no wires but have a float. I never messed w/those caps, and never seen any lights come on ever. Maybe cause there's no wires. Some have & some don't . Some don't have a light.  You may be able to pop it back together but make sure you have a light & wires for that switch.

[radguzzi]

What does it do? It tells you w/a light on dash when you are almost out of fluid. I was out of fluid on my Cal2 and saw no light, wires are not connected.
Some have no wires but have a float. I never messed w/those caps, and never seen any lights come on ever. Maybe cause there's no wires. Some have & some don't . Some don't have a light.  You may be able to pop it back together but make sure you have a light & wires for that switch.

Interesting, I have never seen such a warning light on Any Guzzis that I have owned...  I replaced the cap with one from the Convert, both the LeMans and Convert have wiring AT the cap, I cannot tell you where they go...

Thanks much,
Rob

[guzzisteve]

Does your LeMans have wires? On T3, G5 there was a round light on it's own in the center bottom of gauges. LM3 & cal2 have a brake light on dash. I hav e never seen one come on. That light never works. It's good to test it if you have the float cap and wires going to it. I has no brakes and no light on but a wire wasn't on. I check the stuff usually but they do sit for 3 months  sometimes. I made an extra cap with a hole in it to add air & blow out lines, it had no float.

[radguzzi]

The LeMans IV does have the wires...  Additionally, the Convert, CX, SP and all other that I can think of do (did) as well.

[n3303j]

My T3 came with the monitoring cap, wires and dash light. Under sound advice I ditched the cap and bought a standard vented cap with the bellows that seals the brake fluid from air and moisture. The cap with the float would let moisture into the fluid. The bellows keeps the fluid dry and standard cap retains the bellows.

[guzziart]

The LeMans IV does have the wires...

My '87 LMIVSE has the same setup too.

[wirespokes]

 I'm of the same mind set - ditch the float cap. I've never seen the light come on, even when the level was low. Just extra complication. Check the level now and then and you'll be good.

  n3303j - Thanks for that revelation. A very good reason to eliminate the float.