Brake fluid, DOT 3 vs DOT 5
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: West Central Indiana
Brake fluid, DOT 3 vs DOT 5
Is it really a bad idea to mix them or is that just legal gobblygook the manufacture tells you?
Long story short. Previous owner made it a point to tell me that my '83 Roadster takes ONLY dot 3 and that is what he put in it. It is clearly marked dot 5 on the master cylinder lid.
I have the rear master cylinder off of the bike. Will it be good enough to refill it with dot 5 and then bleed it out?
Long story short. Previous owner made it a point to tell me that my '83 Roadster takes ONLY dot 3 and that is what he put in it. It is clearly marked dot 5 on the master cylinder lid.
I have the rear master cylinder off of the bike. Will it be good enough to refill it with dot 5 and then bleed it out?
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
NO
You cannot mix DOT 3 and DOT 5. You cannot use one to purge the other out. Use only the type of fluid that is printed on top of the master cylinder cap. DOT 3 & 4 are NOT compatible with DOT 5.
You cannot mix DOT 3 and DOT 5. You cannot use one to purge the other out. Use only the type of fluid that is printed on top of the master cylinder cap. DOT 3 & 4 are NOT compatible with DOT 5.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
I'm thinking DOT5 was not invented in 1983. The previous owner probably replaced the lid and that is why he specifically told you to use DOT 3 and not DOT 5 that it says on the lid.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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From:
Check with previous owner about having replaced the cap. I believe piasspi is right.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: back home in Michigan
Get a factory manual for your year Sporty. Or check the owners manual, and go by what the book says is supposed to be in there. Don't screw with your braking system, and don't take someones word for it, imho
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Decatur, Alabama
nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
dot 3 and dot 5 are NOT compatible! Your brake system will leak for EVER if you put in 5 when you should have put in 3. Double, triple, and quadruple check with the p/o about what he put in there to include showing you the bottle of brake fluid!!!!!!!
If you mess it up you will know it for sure!
dot 3 and dot 5 are NOT compatible! Your brake system will leak for EVER if you put in 5 when you should have put in 3. Double, triple, and quadruple check with the p/o about what he put in there to include showing you the bottle of brake fluid!!!!!!!
If you mess it up you will know it for sure!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: West Central Indiana
Ok ok ok I can take a hint. You don't have to 
more than 4 or 5 times lol.
......going back out to the shop to check the front brake master cylinder and to consult with Mr. Clymer.
more than 4 or 5 times lol. ......going back out to the shop to check the front brake master cylinder and to consult with Mr. Clymer.