Brake Fulids

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Mar 19, 2009 | 07:45 PM

boneman171

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From: Tennessee

Brake Fulids

I am planning on changing the brake fluids in my 05 Road Glide. It uses Dot 4 My question is can I use a good Dot 4 from the auto parts store or do I need to order some special for bikes.

Thanks and GOD Bless

Mar 19, 2009 | 07:46 PM

stro1965

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From: Bellevue, NE

Any name brand DOT 4 is OK. I get mine from NAPA.

Mar 19, 2009 | 08:04 PM

tlb

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if you do not have anti lock brakes completely flush your system and go to dot5. be careful of dot4, it will eat paint. you can not mix dot4 and dot5, so if you change over completely flush the system with dot 5.

Mar 19, 2009 | 08:17 PM

cHarley

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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh

If you have DOT 4 don't replace it with DOT 5 as suggested. HD tried DOT 5 for a few years but has gone back to DOT 4. Wonder why???

Mar 19, 2009 | 09:19 PM

tlb

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because abs does not work with dot 5 is the only reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cHarley

If you have DOT 4 don't replace it with DOT 5 as suggested. HD tried DOT 5 for a few years but has gone back to DOT 4. Wonder why???

Mar 19, 2009 | 09:21 PM

Big Jake

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I agree with cHarley - I had DOT 5 in my front brake by mistake and it to me did not have the same feel as DOT 4. Maybe it is in my head but I would stick to what is recommended which is the DOT 4.

Mar 19, 2009 | 09:22 PM

cHarley

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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlb

because abs does not work with dot 5 is the only reason.

Late model Sportsters, Dynas, Softails etc. without ABS have gone back to DOT 4.

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Mar 19, 2009 | 09:45 PM

tlb

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read the top of your covers first. my rear is dot 4 and front is dot 5. cHarley not going to debate something that is easily researched.

one point: think about the seal on your front master cylinder starts to leak over night. you get up in the morning and see it brake fluid has dripped on your front fender.

DOT4: you wipe it off along with some paint, $385.00 later you have a new front fender.
DOT5: you wipe it off, tighten the screws, put on some new wax and go riding.

That is the real difference, moco likes to buy one type of fluid dot 5 is not universal as dot 4 is, dot 5 is not as solid as dot 4, it does not displace water but you change it annually anyway.

Last edited by tlb; Mar 19, 2009 at 09:55 PM.