I am having the brake fluid flushed on my 2008 Heritage.

Dealer said would use DOT-5.

I started reading about brake fluid and got so confused, I gave up.

Is DOT-5 the proper one?

Thanks

 

Probably is.... it usually says right on your master cylinder cap. Of course if it's a used bike, heaven only knows what a prior owner has done.

Harley used DOT 5 for awhile. I have it in my '03 Heritage and DOT 4 in my '12 Limited.

DOT 5 is actually superior to DOT 4, but it does not play well with ABS systems. When Harley went to ABS brakes, they had to go backwards to DOT 4.

I lose track of the timing of all the changes, but if your Heritage does not have ABS brakes, it's a good bet it has DOT 5 brake fluid...
Edit: I just did some reading. It appears HD went to ABS on police service in '05 and for '08 the touring and Vrods got ABS... it's probable that when they started using ABS in '05 or '08, they went back to DOT 4 for all bikes to keep it simple... hopefully your dealer will know for sure.

If you ever want to know for sure, here is a simple test: use a clean syringe to remove some fluid from your master cylinder. A bottle cap's worth is more than enough. Now take your choice of brake fluid, and just add a drop to the amount taken from your master cylinder. If it mixes, your master cylinder is compatible with whatever type you tested with. If it stays separate (like a drop of oil in water) they are not compatible....

 

It's probably dot 4. Most newer bikes are

 

my 02 v rod was dot 5 but 05 electra glide was dot 4....I would not go to 5 with just a flush, I would think a disassembly/clean/new O rings would be needed for the master cyl an calipers.

 

My 09 Heritage per the owner's manual uses DOT 4.
I didn't look it up in my service manual but I'm sure it states the same.

If the dealer is doing the flush and they get it wrong they will just have to fix it.

 

I have a few older bikes that used DOT five. But not wanting to have two different kinds I changed them to DOT 4. Drain thoroughly using a vacuum bleeder pump then fill and flush two to three times.

DOT five is better for racing as it has a high boiling temperature. DOT 4 does acquire moisture over time and should be flushed at least every two years.

I don't know the year that they changed but my 10's were Dot 4. My 2000, 3 and 5 were Dot 5.

 

If your 2008 softail has standard brakes then Dot 4 is the correct fluid, not Dot 5.

It may have been a slip of the tongue that they said Dot 5 but definitely worth confirming what they've used.

 

THANK YOU EVERYONE....

My bike goes in on Tuesday, and their quote showed DOT 5.....

I found my owners manual, AND it shows DOT 4.

Glad all of you helped me get this correct.

I love this forum..

Cheers,

 

So here's the question of the day which is purely hypothetical at this time.

Although the dealer's quote stated DOT 5 brake fluid, would they check the master cylinder cover or the specs for the OP's year and model bike and put in the correct fluid, DOT 4?

You can only hope so. It would be a rookie mistake if they put the wrong fluid in.

 

When DOT 5 and 4 are mixed they almost instantly turn into a thick rubbery mass and the brakes will not function. Hard to get the lines cleaned out.