Change Brake Fluid Every 2 Years?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,065
Likes: 5,320
In my 2013 owner's manual there is a note in the brakes scheduled maint. table about changing brake fluid every two years. There is also a single line in the brakes section about the fluid flush. I would think something that could cause death or serious injury would be highlighted better than printed in regular type, especially when it concerns a brake fluid that is hygroscopic in nature. Another RTFM moments.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
I think all the late model manuals are written the same way. I don't know about earlier manuals. You're right that you would think it would be emphasized more than it is in the manual. Hell, even engine coolant, battery, spark plugs and fuel filter element have there own line/section in the Maintenance Schedule, yet brake fluid flush is a footnote. I bet the 2019 manuals will emphasize it.
You could always convert to Dot 5 (silicone) fluid. Little more expensive, but on the plus side it's hydrophobic and non corrosive so you don't have to worry about ruining the clear on your tins. It's not as good for "high performance" systems, but it's a Harley not a Ducatti. Just make sure to flush with a bunch of the purest rubbing alcohol you can find if you go down that road.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 661
Likes: 151
From: S/E Michigan
I just flushed the brakes on my 2012 FLHTK. Very simple using the Mityvac I bought from Harbor Freight for about $30 with a coupon. This is the old fluid. I bought the bike used 2 years ago so that may be the original fluid for all I know.
Last edited by Mikes145; Mar 5, 2018 at 06:25 PM. Reason: photo
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
You could always convert to Dot 5 (silicone) fluid. Little more expensive, but on the plus side it's hydrophobic and non corrosive so you don't have to worry about ruining the clear on your tins. It's not as good for "high performance" systems, but it's a Harley not a Ducatti. Just make sure to flush with a bunch of the purest rubbing alcohol you can find if you go down that road.
You're quite right about cleaning the system if changing from one type of brake fluid to another. I've discovered the hard way that DOT4 and DOT5 fight unfairly once mixed and can do actual damage to the internals of our brake system!
I change all of my DOT4 fluid every two years as directed, however last July I got stuck behind an RV while on the Million Dollar Highway that wouldn't go fast enough for me to get into 2nd gear without lugging while going uphill. Because the clutch slave is bolted to the transmission right behind the very hot (especially at high altitude) cat, the fluid turned to vapor and I lost use of my clutch. I would have normally sucked it up and speed shifted, but the Rekluse Torqe-Drive clutch that I have installed just wouldn't let me unless I slammed the gear shifter. As a result, next fluid change I am going to spend some extra $$$ and Castrol SRF Brake Fluid. It is a DOT4 fluid that has a wet boiling point of 518F, compared to typical DOT4 wet boiling point of 311F.
https://www.racerpartswholesale.com/...id/Brake_Fluid
https://www.racerpartswholesale.com/...id/Brake_Fluid
Intermediate
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, TX
Maybe 2 years is overkill, but I can relate my recent experience. I just bought a 2012 flhtk 18k miles last April and put on about 2k miles over the summer.
By the end of the year, my rear brake was getting sticky. Last week rode her for the first time this spring and the rear brake pedal was hard as a rock and no rear brakes. Scary!
I am not under the recall but I dropped her off at the dealer on Saturday for a full flush. Hopefully there is no damage to the ABS module.
The PO obviously didn't do any brake fluid maintenance in the first 5 years. I will be doing the service every 2-3 years from now on.
By the end of the year, my rear brake was getting sticky. Last week rode her for the first time this spring and the rear brake pedal was hard as a rock and no rear brakes. Scary!
I am not under the recall but I dropped her off at the dealer on Saturday for a full flush. Hopefully there is no damage to the ABS module.
The PO obviously didn't do any brake fluid maintenance in the first 5 years. I will be doing the service every 2-3 years from now on.
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro TN
It's simple to do... ABS or not.
https://youtu.be/_tddIQ3uuBs
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 2,144
From: Ohio
I've been riding since the mid-'60's. I've owned close to 50 different motorcycles. Three or four at a time during my 30's. I've never once changed the brake fluid in any of them and have never had a brake problem. Just sayin'.