Brake Fluid Epiphany

1976 Views 23 Replies 11 Participants Last post by XvtxCrewzr, Sep 13, 2012

Driftwood

Discussion Starter · Sep 12, 2012

While changing the brake pads and changing brake fluid recently in my 2 Harleys and other bikes, I had an epiphany of sorts.

When I was a much younger lad, of sorts, DOT 3 brake fluid was the best option. DOT 3 is amber or yellow in color. Then, came DOT 4 brake fluid. DOT 4 is clear in nature. After changing out the pads, I opted to switch to DOT 5. DOT 5 is purple.

Then it hit me, like a brick on the side of the head. Since we think of, and talk about our bikes using the "SHE" definition. Brake fluid is like anal beads. They go in, in different colors. But, always comes out brown.

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

Muddobber

· #2 · Sep 12, 2012

Lmao!!

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redracer95

· #3 · Sep 12, 2012

LMAO.... way too much personal info there

o2man98

· #4 · Sep 12, 2012

How did you flush your system before to added DOT5?

RustyG

· #5 · Sep 12, 2012

DOT 3/4 when mixed with DOT 5 will create sludge in your brake system. When heat is applied the brakes will lock up. Hope it doesn't happen at speed.

kaos0068

· #6 · Sep 12, 2012

and does dot 5 melt everything like dot 4

RustyG

· #7 · Sep 13, 2012

kaos0068 said:
and does dot 5 melt everything like dot 4

no

thedoctor77

· #8 · Sep 13, 2012

kaos0068 said:
and does dot 5 melt everything like dot 4

No. But, your brake system must be made for it.

Philthy

· #9 · Sep 13, 2012

It won't just be beads coming out brown when you figure out what you just did.

Muddobber

· #10 · Sep 13, 2012

As long as you flush it very well, it should be ok, I changed mine by mistake, bought a manual on cd and it said use dot 5, should've just paid attention to the cap and saw it said dot 4. But flushed the entire system several times trying to get the air out and have no problems at all.

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petefwa

· #11 · Sep 13, 2012

Driftwood said:
While changing the brake pads and changing brake fluid recently in my 2 Harleys and other bikes, I had an epiphany of sorts.

When I was a much younger lad, of sorts, DOT 3 brake fluid was the best option. DOT 3 is amber or yellow in color. Then, came DOT 4 brake fluid. DOT 4 is clear in nature. After changing out the pads, I opted to switch to DOT 5. DOT 5 is purple.

Then it hit me, like a brick on the side of the head. Since we think of, and talk about our bikes using the "SHE" definition. Brake fluid is like anal beads. They go in, in different colors. But, always comes out brown.

You're in for a very nasty surprise. DOT 4 and DOT 5 do not mix. One is silicone based and the other is ethyl glycol based. It will also be very expensive.

Muddobber

· #12 · Sep 13, 2012

petefwa said:
You're in for a very nasty surprise. DOT 4 and DOT 5 do not mix. One is silicone based and the other is ethyl glycol based. It will also be very expensive.

So should I flush the system out again and go back to the Dot 4 or stay with the Dot 5 that's in there?

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petefwa

· #13 · Sep 13, 2012

Muddobber said:
So should I flush the system out again and go back to the Dot 4 or stay with the Dot 5 that's in there?

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No. you will need need new calipers, new brake lines and overhaul kits for the master cylinders. Dont forget gaskets for the banjo bolts and master cylinder covers. Throw your CD ''manual'' in the bin.

rc4man

· #14 · Sep 13, 2012

"The Sky is Falling" "The Earth is flat, you'll fall off" " "Lions and tiger and bears, Oh My!"

Yo Dobber, how long ago did you do it? If it's still working great but you might want to order some parts in advance and prepare to do a total rebuild/clean and flush during the coming off season.

I assume it's a Brembo system. There's a thread here with some Honda part numbers for replacement caliper seals. HD doesn't sell rebuild kits for the Brembo calipers and Brembo won't sell them direct. You might want to order some along with a master cylinder piston kit which I think you can get from HD.

There's no reason the metal parts can't be adequately cleaned and reused. The rubber seals/parts should be replaced. I won't speculate on the lines but if you flush them well I would reuse them.

The early V-Rods with Kelsey/Hayes brakes used DOT5, I have it in my 04 B and think it's great, doesn't remove paint like DOT3 or 4. Not sure why they switched but they don't mix. There are guys that have put new Brembo calipers on their early bikes and run DOT5.

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Muddobber

· #15 · Sep 13, 2012

It was 3-3 1/2 months ago. Was wanting to ad SS lines anyway, lol guess I'll go ahead and start collecting parts and be ready for the off season. Thanks for the heads up on the parts.

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petefwa

· #16 · Sep 13, 2012

How much have you ridden it since you changed fluids?

Muddobber

· #17 · Sep 13, 2012

Also, forgot to add, this was only the clutch fluid. Didn't bother the brake fluid.

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Muddobber

· #18 · Sep 13, 2012

1500-1800 miles.

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rc4man

· #19 · Sep 13, 2012

Muddobber said:
Also, forgot to add, this was only the clutch fluid. Didn't bother the brake fluid.

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Now that is an Epiphany

Muddobber

· #20 · Sep 13, 2012

Lol yea. Sorry still green around the edges.

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