Jeff Stich
True Classic
Substitute X1/9 Brake Fluid Reservoirs
Following the thread(s) here concerning the ever-present problem of cracked original square-type X1/9 brake fluid reservoirs, I've spent the last few days scouring through 7 different local junkyards to find the parts needed for a small production run (sic) of a truly "plug & play" replacement reservoir for both the early & late model X1/9's. Here's what I was able to come up with:
Using a modified BMW brake fluid reservoir & a mix of various caps, retainers & fluid strainers/tubes from older BMW & Mercedes cars, I've assembled an easy, direct-swap unit to replace the X1/9 reservoir, with cap options to suit the 1500 (with fluid sensor & wiring terminals) & the 1300 (no sensor/wiring), including a cap/bezel color choice for each type (color options are limited to what I currently have on hand, so it'll be a first-come, first-served basis for colors).
This is what the BMW reservoir looks like after being modified to fit the X1/9:
This unit fits directly into the original X1/9 reservoir mounting bracket; no further cutting, drilling, sanding, filing or any other fabrication is needed.
** - The single "caveat" of using this reservoir is that the 2 brake hose outlet ports are smaller in diameter than what is normally used on the X1/9, & the BMW hose is a small-diameter hard black plastic vs. the larger rubber/neoprene hose of the X1/9. To solve this issue, I've left a short section of the plastic hoses intact on the reservoir ports, & (in theory) one should be able to slip the X1/9 brake hose onto this & then clamp into place. (I'll try to find some Fiat-size brake hose & get some exact measurements of each, then post my findings here).
Now for the actual FOR SALE part of this post...
imp:
I have 5 of these reservoirs available & ready to go, with several cap options available depending on model (1300/1500) & colors desired. The X1/9 reservoir mounting bracket is not included, you'll need to use your existing bracket or find one elsewhere. As these are all previously-used reservoirs, their coloration will vary, as shown.
For the 1300 X with no cap-mounted fluid sensor/wiring, the reservoir will come with a standard cap & a small mesh/strainer insert (to keep out any debris when you have the cap off for inspection or refilling fluid). The cap can either be black with yellow logo, all black (no yellow) or all clear (reservoir-colored), cap availability is limited to the number shown:
1300:
For the 1500 X with the cap-mounted fluid sensor/wiring, the reservoir will come with a 2-spade type cap (with float mechanism) & a tall float tube insert (to keep out any debris when you have the cap off for inspection or refilling fluid). This 2-spade cap was sourced to provide ease of installation without any wiring mods, but I can also furnish the original cap/float unit for this reservoir if desired (you'll need to install 2 spade connectors onto the wire pigtails of the cap connector, in order to connect to the X1/9 wiring). The cap retainer bezel/surround will come in your choice of either black or clear (reservoir-colored):
1500 Black:
1500 Clear:
The price for each reservoir & your choice of cap will be $37 (shipping cost already included), payment via Paypal preferred. :italia:
Following the thread(s) here concerning the ever-present problem of cracked original square-type X1/9 brake fluid reservoirs, I've spent the last few days scouring through 7 different local junkyards to find the parts needed for a small production run (sic) of a truly "plug & play" replacement reservoir for both the early & late model X1/9's. Here's what I was able to come up with:
Using a modified BMW brake fluid reservoir & a mix of various caps, retainers & fluid strainers/tubes from older BMW & Mercedes cars, I've assembled an easy, direct-swap unit to replace the X1/9 reservoir, with cap options to suit the 1500 (with fluid sensor & wiring terminals) & the 1300 (no sensor/wiring), including a cap/bezel color choice for each type (color options are limited to what I currently have on hand, so it'll be a first-come, first-served basis for colors).
This is what the BMW reservoir looks like after being modified to fit the X1/9:
This unit fits directly into the original X1/9 reservoir mounting bracket; no further cutting, drilling, sanding, filing or any other fabrication is needed.
** - The single "caveat" of using this reservoir is that the 2 brake hose outlet ports are smaller in diameter than what is normally used on the X1/9, & the BMW hose is a small-diameter hard black plastic vs. the larger rubber/neoprene hose of the X1/9. To solve this issue, I've left a short section of the plastic hoses intact on the reservoir ports, & (in theory) one should be able to slip the X1/9 brake hose onto this & then clamp into place. (I'll try to find some Fiat-size brake hose & get some exact measurements of each, then post my findings here).
Now for the actual FOR SALE part of this post...
imp:I have 5 of these reservoirs available & ready to go, with several cap options available depending on model (1300/1500) & colors desired. The X1/9 reservoir mounting bracket is not included, you'll need to use your existing bracket or find one elsewhere. As these are all previously-used reservoirs, their coloration will vary, as shown.
For the 1300 X with no cap-mounted fluid sensor/wiring, the reservoir will come with a standard cap & a small mesh/strainer insert (to keep out any debris when you have the cap off for inspection or refilling fluid). The cap can either be black with yellow logo, all black (no yellow) or all clear (reservoir-colored), cap availability is limited to the number shown:
1300:
For the 1500 X with the cap-mounted fluid sensor/wiring, the reservoir will come with a 2-spade type cap (with float mechanism) & a tall float tube insert (to keep out any debris when you have the cap off for inspection or refilling fluid). This 2-spade cap was sourced to provide ease of installation without any wiring mods, but I can also furnish the original cap/float unit for this reservoir if desired (you'll need to install 2 spade connectors onto the wire pigtails of the cap connector, in order to connect to the X1/9 wiring). The cap retainer bezel/surround will come in your choice of either black or clear (reservoir-colored):
1500 Black:
1500 Clear:
The price for each reservoir & your choice of cap will be $37 (shipping cost already included), payment via Paypal preferred. :italia:
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