I called the Stealer and was told that '06 Fatboy's use DOT 4 which is yellow and a little DOT 3 wont hurt if it has been added. That recommend flushing and replacing about every 7500 miles. I have only had it a few months and don't know if it has ever been changed. When I put my finger over the hole where the bleeder came out and when I pump the pedal it seems to have plenty of pressure so I doubt it needs to be rebuilt. Even though the fluid looks, feels and smells good I am going to change and bleed it and make sure it has DOT 4. Hopefully that will fix the problem.

 

One tip I learned some years ago from my indy.....when you're done flushing and replacing fluid, if your levers still feel mushy, pump them 3-4 times and then while holding the lever compressed wrap a bungee cord around it and leave it compressed over night. This will force any air bubbles into the reservoir. You may have to be creative with the bungee when doing the rear brake pedal.

 

Sounds like a good rule of thumb. Thanks. My mind is going, hope I can remember it. Remember what?

 

Which reminds me, I replaced my bleeders with speed bleeders. They have a one-way valve that won't allow air back in the brake line while bleeding. Btw, I don't rely on my memory anymore.....write notes to thyself.

 

I would have bought speed bleeders but the parts store was out of them in 3/8-24 threads so I took what they had. What were we talking about?

 

LOL, write notes to yourself

 

Those speed bleeders are great! I haven't bought any since picking up a mini vac...I just fill the m/c crack the bleeder an hook up the mini vac an keep an eye on the m/c an wait for the air bubbles to stop...no oozing fluid anywhere.. I rebuild a stock HD caliper that used dot 4 to use on my EVO fatboy that uses dot 5 an some of the fluid had gotten gunky inside the caliper an pads weren't wearing evenly. O ring kit was only $15 bucks at the dealer. In this pic you can see where one piston bore was gunked up:

 

Another good idea if I remember to make notes.

 

The way I understand it you can use DOT 3 in a DOT 4 system if you have to but never cross DOT 5 with either DOT 3 or DOT 4. DOT 5 is silicon based and the others aren't.

 

great tips i always write my self notes just can't remember where i put them