Brake fluid question
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Banned
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2
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From: California
Brake fluid question
Hi guys... Yes, I'm a newb. Tried searching the forum but could not find what I was looking g for. I have an 01 heritage sortail. I need to bleed the front brake.
Do I use Dot 4 or Dot 5 fluid? Thanks in advance...... : )
Do I use Dot 4 or Dot 5 fluid? Thanks in advance...... : )
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,420
Likes: 7,118
From: Beyond Fucital
WRONG
You can't mix DOT4 and DOT5 it'll coagulate (gel) and FU your braking, And Kill you.
Read the manual, google it, or look at the damn Master Cylinder cover.
JUST DON'T MIX IT.
WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU.
You can't mix DOT4 and DOT5 it'll coagulate (gel) and FU your braking, And Kill you.
Read the manual, google it, or look at the damn Master Cylinder cover.
JUST DON'T MIX IT.
WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 970
Likes: 19
From: Philippines
Mrbongo,
Your 01 Heritage came from the factory with a DOT 5 brake system.
I'm guessing that the labels on top of your reservoirs are missing. DOT 5 is a synthetic fluid. As Ranger73 pointed out, if any amount of DOT 4 and 5 are mixed together a chemical reaction will occur turning the fluid into a gel. Serious Safety Issue! Some manufactures add a purple dye to their DOT 5 however this dye will break down over time preventing identification by looking at the color of the fluid in the reservoir.
If your brake system is stock factory, it requires DOT 5. If your brake system has been modified (Aftermarket) it is imperative that you determine and use the correct fluid. I once saw a bike with a stock rear brake system = DOT 5, and a modified front brake system = DOT 4.
Your 01 Heritage came from the factory with a DOT 5 brake system.
I'm guessing that the labels on top of your reservoirs are missing. DOT 5 is a synthetic fluid. As Ranger73 pointed out, if any amount of DOT 4 and 5 are mixed together a chemical reaction will occur turning the fluid into a gel. Serious Safety Issue! Some manufactures add a purple dye to their DOT 5 however this dye will break down over time preventing identification by looking at the color of the fluid in the reservoir.
If your brake system is stock factory, it requires DOT 5. If your brake system has been modified (Aftermarket) it is imperative that you determine and use the correct fluid. I once saw a bike with a stock rear brake system = DOT 5, and a modified front brake system = DOT 4.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 900
From: Omaha
OK I was thinking of DOT 5.1 not DOT 5.
Last edited by Bluraven; Oct 13, 2015 at 07:45 AM.
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Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,420
Likes: 7,118
From: Beyond Fucital
Plus I wanted to get the OP's attention as well as yours. You could have seriously screwed this guy's whole day.
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