Brake Fluid Warning

Both the front brake and the clutch on your PC use brake fluid, which destroys the PC's plastic and paint like you would not believe. Leaving brake fluid on the plastic for a couple of days will turn it into a material with the tensile strength of Stilton cheese, and when you touch it or go over a bump it will crumble and the impact on your wallet will be simply stunning.

When you're working on your front brake or clutch do not even let a DROP of brake fluid get on your bike's body:

• Protect painted and plastic areas with a drop cloth and plastic sheet.
• Have your garden hose, some detergent and a scrub brush ready. Brake fluid dissolves in water and can be washed and scrubbed away.

If you drip some fluid onto the body, start hosing it down IMMEDIATELY and get the soap and brush ready and scrub it thoroughly with lots of water, then rinse with lots of water. If it dripped inside, get the hose in there and on it and either direct a hard jet on the affected areas for 10 minutes or so, or consider taking the body panel off and scrubbing.