Ok i did my rear brakes today. My son in law came out and asked if he could help i said sure put a little brake fluid in . He did and it was dot 5. After he put a capful in he told me the fluid he put in was purple and the fliid in the master cylinder was not it was a dark clear. Its my fault for not checking. But the cover said dot 5 so i assumed it was dot in it . My question will only a cap full cause me problems.? Or should i remove all the fluid out of the resivior. I have not used the rear brake peddel at all.
From Wikipedia
DOT 5 is a silicone-based brake fluid (contains at least 70% by weight of a diorgano polysiloxane[1]).
Unlike polyethylene glycol based fluids, it is hydrophobic. Its chief advantage over other forms of brake fluid is that silicone exhibits a more stable viscosity index in extreme temperatures. It is widely used in the antique automobile arena as well as it does not damage paint.
Using DOT 5 in a DOT 3 or DOT 4 system without proper flushing will cause damage to the seals and cause brake failure. DOT 5 brake fluid is not compatible with anti-lock brake systems. DOT 5 brake fluid absorbs a small amount of air requiring care when bleeding the system of air.
If the cover says Dot5, it was most likely Dot5 in there already. It just loses it's color and gets nasty looking with age. A little fresh stuff in there won't hurt, but it's a good idea to just flush the system if it doesn't look clean and purple. Especially if you haven't done it before and you have any doubts about what was in there.
You can flush the system quick and easy with a DIY pressure bleeder. The real deal by Max isn't being sold here anymore, but you can build your own for about $30 with stuff from Home Depot.
Here's a link to what I'm talking about. www.1130cc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42544
Does anyone know what happened to Max's video that shows it in action?
thanks for all info. I am going to flush entire system since as long as i owned this bike it has not been done, Bike is an 02A and probably has never been done
If it has never been done than the oil was dot 4. That is what was put in at the factory. Referring back to my other post Dot4 and dot5 are not compatible with each other. Dot 4 is a polyethylene glycol based fluid. Dot 5 is a silicone-based fluid. The only other difference is the boiling point.
They switched to DOT 4 with the Brembo braked bikes.
DOT 5 as other types will yellow or brown as it ages, it was explained once to me as being like poop, it all goes in different colors but all comes out brown. If yours looks that way it just needs flushing. Do it and you'll appreciate the improvement.
I am, but not the HD calipers. I use DOT 5 fluid in Brembo model P4 34/34 (these are 4 piston / 4 pad calipers like those used for front calipers on the Ducati 998).
Fluid does look brown (like poop) so this weekend will flush entire brake system and clutch as well. Thanks for all the feed back
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