Harley Davidson Forums

Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes Discussions for your ride comfort and braking power.

DOT 4 or DOT 5 brake fluid?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 03-24-2019, 03:57 PM
805dwg's Avatar
805dwg
805dwg is offline
Cruiser
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Port Huenrme
Posts: 109
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Default DOT 4 or DOT 5 brake fluid?
I rebuilding a ‘01 Softail Standard (FXST) that was parked for 11 yrs. The brake fluid is clear and a yellowish color. The bike is supposed to use DOT 5 brake fluid, but I thought DOT 5 is dyed purple? I’m concerned someone put DOT 4 in and the seals maybe damaged. Does anybody know if there was or Is DOT 5 that’s a clear yellowish color or could sitting for 11yrs effect the color? If it’s DOT 4, would rebuilding the calipers and master cylinders be the correct coarse of action? FYI, single calipers w/ no ABS.
thanks
 
Reply Like
  #2  
Old 03-24-2019, 05:47 PM
m1369x's Avatar
m1369x
m1369x is offline
Road Warrior
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Arm pit of America, S.D.
Posts: 1,645
Received 675 Likes on 381 Posts
Default
Different brand/manufacturer
 
Reply Like
  #3  
Old 03-24-2019, 06:20 PM
HAOLE's Avatar
HAOLE
HAOLE is offline
Seasoned HDF Member

Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: ARMY GYPSY
Posts: 12,293
Received 2,172 Likes on 1,611 Posts
Default
Howzit and Greetings from Houston and a Displaced Cut N Shoot Texan

Haole
 
Reply Like
  #4  
Old 03-24-2019, 06:41 PM
Warrant's Avatar
Warrant
Warrant is offline
Road Warrior
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Okanagan, BC
Posts: 1,811
Received 342 Likes on 288 Posts
Default
Welcome from Canada!
After 11 years you need new brake fluid, total system flush.
 
Reply Like
  #5  
Old 03-24-2019, 06:43 PM
RANGER73's Avatar
RANGER73
RANGER73 is offline
Seasoned HDF Member

Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Beyond Fucital
Posts: 14,764
Received 5,922 Likes on 3,022 Posts
Default
It loses color with age, If your MC is marked DOT5 that's what you use, unless someone swapped it out. Then you'll have to flush it.
 
Reply Like
The following users liked this post:
Campy Roadie (07-10-2019)
  #6  
Old 03-24-2019, 07:13 PM
470004's Avatar
470004
470004 is offline
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 20,940
Received 15,042 Likes on 6,219 Posts
Default
Welcome!
 
Reply Like
  #7  
Old 03-24-2019, 08:02 PM
kel03's Avatar
kel03
kel03 is offline
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Niagara, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,689
Received 6,044 Likes on 4,356 Posts
Default
Welcome to the forums from Ontario, Canada
 
Reply Like

Trending Topics

  #8  
Old 03-24-2019, 08:36 PM
jblack902's Avatar
jblack902
jblack902 is offline
Ultimate HDF Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Stillwater
Posts: 9,304
Received 1,118 Likes on 1,111 Posts
Default
Welcome from Minnesota
 
Reply Like
  #9  
Old 03-24-2019, 08:41 PM
Lou'sUltra's Avatar
Lou'sUltra
Lou'sUltra is offline
Extreme HDF Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 15,256
Likes: 0
Received 1,273 Likes on 1,264 Posts
Default
Welcome from Ohio
 
Reply Like
  #10  
Old 03-24-2019, 09:00 PM
critter85's Avatar
critter85
critter85 is offline
Extreme HDF Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Eastern Kansas
Posts: 17,219
Received 2,497 Likes on 2,475 Posts
Default
Welcome to the Forum
 
Reply Like



Advanced Search
Quick Reply: DOT 4 or DOT 5 brake fluid?


Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:47 AM.