I just finished changing out my rear caliper and went to bleed the brakes. I opened up my rear cylinder and this is what I saw. Two questions:

1) what the heck is going on here. It looks like the fluid is contaminated.
2) I thought harley DOT 5 was purple? I drew some out and a drop of water stayed like a bubble in the fluid so i'm pretty sure this is DOT 5. Can I mix old fluid with new purple?

 

Looks like it is really really old. I had to rebuild both my calipers and there was a lot of this gunk stuck inside them. They sat around, probably unchanged, for near 10 years.

You'll just have to bleed completely through the system (called a flush) until all you see is new fluid coming out.

 

Brake fluid changes color over time, it won't stay purple.
Clean out any crap you can from the reservoir, and then flush through with new fluid.

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I had a question about this also. I checked my master cylinder level and it was ok but noticed it looked clear verses purple as my service manual states.
If I went to flush with dot 5 and what is in there is dot 3, will this mess things up?

Although my levels are good I just thought it might be good to replace it, as I am not sure the last time it was exchanged.

 

What makes you think that there's DOT 3 in there?
The correct fluid type is written on the reservoir cover.

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Sorry.
Bcuz the manual said 5 was purple and this stuff is clear like 3.
I wonder how many ounces I would need for a flush ?

 

That's because it's old. My old DOT 5 turned yellow/clear. Replace and flush with new DOT 5 and you'll be fine. I used approx. 16-18 oz for two calipers on a flush, fill, and bleed after service. Just go to Autozone and buy one of these and you'll be fine for one flush.

 

Dot 5 after a while looses it purple. Mine did not have the contaminated look like yours. Agree with others in the flush. I probably would have carefully wiped out the bottom with a lent free kimwipe paper towel. If that is oil I would rebuild the master cyl. The kit is only ballpark $24 and cartridge includes piston and cylinder I think. Actually I would rebuild master any time I rebuld caliper just to have them on same schedule. About the only fairly price item on a Harley. Guess they don't want you killed.

 

Xts draw some out into a container and put a drop of water in it. If the water mixes it's not dot 5. If it stays like a bubble, it is dot 5

 

Right on guys
Thanks for the tip Mojo!!!'