Manual says to check levels and I am assuming if it's low to add more brake fluid. So when do you need to replace brake fluid?

 

My manual says every two years. I thought this was overkill but I tried it. New fluid did make the brakes feel firmer.

 

As often as you like but at least every 10K in my opinion.

 

Depends on what fluid, if its a dot 4 based bike every 2 years because of water absorption. Dot 5 dosen't pick up water so not as critical. Mike

 

Thanks. My bike uses DOT 5; I'm gonna change it in the Spring.

 

10k/2years...flush the entire system...get some speed bleeders and it takes 10 minutes.

 

Where, pray tell, may find some speed bleeders? And, what will they look like?

Bart

 

How many actually change brake fluid in their cars? Havn't done a single car in my 40 years of driving. Unless major work is done, it aint needed. It's a none compressable fluid and don't change. It can't absorb moisture in a close system unless you drive around with the cap off as it's not vented to atmosphere. There is nothing special with a Harley that needs periodic fluid changes.
Ron

 

Whew, I thought I was the only one that didn't change brake fluid.

Ron, you are right on the money. Brake fluid does not deteriorate unless contaminated. DOT5 does not absorb moisture. I am an old auto mechanic, hotrodder and bike builder and in all my years I have never just changed brake fluid as a maintenance item.

An for the guy that said new fluid made the brakes feel better, you cannot compress a fluid, no matter what it is so you must have had air in the system that you bled out thus making the lever stiffer. And for the recommendatin at every 10k miles - hell, I would be doing this twice a year !

 

Ron, the systems are not completly sealed and dot 4 absorbs water and the problem with that is all the metal parts corrode. Nowadays most cars have a $1000 abs pump/module assy that wont tolerate any corrosion. I've replaced plenty on vehicles that haven't been maintained. Dot 5 is not norm in cars. Cheap insurance. Mike