Flushing the brakes on the RKC. Why DOT 5? Won't DOT 4 do it?

 

If it says 5 use 5. Do a search. It explains that if you mix the 2 together you get some sort of gel that clogs up the lines. DOT 5 is better anyway as it will not eat your paint and is not water soluble (supposedly) like DOT 4. It only costs about $5 more.

 

5 is silicone based and doesn't mix with 4 or 3. There is also a 5.1 out now which mixes with 3 & 4....but 5 won't damage paint. AND it's what comes in the system from HD. so 5 sounds like good stuff. off to the store to get some....was about to flush the system and thought I'd check first.

 

Yeah, I just did my brakes and it was $7 for a bottle of 5. I don't know if it's my imagination but the brakes feel more firm too.

 

Would recommend not switching from DOT 5 if that what it calls for unless install brand new Master Cylinders and Brake lines because is no way will flush it all out .. Had good luck with DOT 5 but have seen what happens if mix 4& 5 you get a gummy mess that could cost you your life in an emergency

 

Use exactly what the bike owner's manual calls for. You've got a $20,000 bike. Why try to save a few bucks on brake fluid.

 

+1 Exactly

 

What year did HD switch to Dot 5? My 06 calls for Dot 4.

 

It's not a question of a few bucks. I have 2 bikes in the garage and one takes dot 4 and the other dot 5. I just happened to have a litre of dot 4
on the sheft and thought I'd do both bikes at the same time. I learned a very valuable lesson about brake fluids though, which I will share in another thread.

Thanks for all the good input!

 

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