Hi everyone,

After a lovely summer/autumn with great rides I am now attempting my first 12,000-mile service.

I ran into a problems soon enough of course ; how to remove the radiator cowl?
If you look at the attached picture you will see the hydraulic brake line attached to the cowl.

My questions as follows :
1) Is this the correct routing of the brake line ?
2) Do I need to unscrew and hence open the brake line (and drain the brake fluid) in order to remove the cowl ?



Your input as always highly appreciated.

Best regards,
Einar/

That brake line just sits in the rubber gromeet. You don't have to undo the brake line.

Loosen the cowl and you should be able to lever the rubber gromet out of its position, using a small screw driver or just use the screw driver to put between the rubber gromeet and the plastic and gently pull apart. Or just hold the brake line in its place and gently pull back on the radiator cowl. Or you can just use the screwdriver and gently push up on the grommet and it will come free.  Much harder to describe that to do.

Thank you cycleman. I'll try that. Good to know I won't damage anything by using a bit of force.

You can also try lifting the radiator cover up so that it's off the connector in the hydraulic line. That will give the grommet more room to compress.

Hi Dai, good input. I just came back from the garage and did finally manage to get it free. 
Indeed it required some firm levering with a screwdriver and pushing the cowl upwards.

I really appreciate the response and assurance from you guys, especially given I'm attempting these things for the first time.

Water/oil pump seal and timing cover next. And likely more questions to follow at some point.