BRAKE FLUID ISSUE...Please Read

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Sep 21, 2008 | 03:54 PM

#31

KY23

Tourer

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 360

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From: Louisville, KY

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Herald

My 1990 Sportster says DOT 5 only on the M/c covers, as does the Clymer manual. I couldn't find DOT 5 in the auto store on Sunday, so I was given DOT 5.1 instead and told it is the same. Have I just killed my front brake??

DOT 5 and DOT 5.1 DO NOT mix. You need to flush your entire system and replace it with DOT 5. Its good to always stick with whatever it says on your master cylinder cover so no mistakes are ever made. This is a huge safety issue so do not take it lightly.

Think about it this way...if you don't do your homework and screw this up your brakes will either lock up or won't work at all.

EDITED to add:

Personally I would totally drain your system...rebuild your master cylinder and caliper and replace your cable. Mixing DOT 5.1 with DOT 3,4 or 5 can cause lots of problems which include corrosion in your system which can cause failure of your brakes.

Last edited by KY23; Sep 21, 2008 at 04:02 PM.

Sep 21, 2008 | 08:34 PM

#32

custom roadglide

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 44

Likes: 0

From: bartlesville,oklahoma

i would just get a braided brake hose kit form goodwin and a master cyl and caliper ohaul kit.it will not be that big of a cost to fix.

Sep 21, 2008 | 08:51 PM

#33

hogx2

Cruiser

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 130

Likes: 0

From: Nebraska

Thats why I don't like working on someone else's bike if they've got aftermarket parts on it. A buddy of mine called me with clutch problems. Everything was aftermarket and he bought the bike from someone else, and couldn't find his documentation. His clutch basket had broken pieces in it, a belt drive primary. I sent him to an Indy with his broken parts. The Indy even had trouble matching stuff up. Thanks but, no thanks. I'll stick with genuine parts on my bike, unless its a little chrome piece or something like that.

Sep 22, 2008 | 03:04 AM

#34

King Herald

5th Gear

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

From: England

Quote:

Originally Posted by KY23

DOT 5 and DOT 5.1 DO NOT mix. .......Personally I would totally drain your system...rebuild your master cylinder and caliper and replace your cable. Mixing DOT 5.1 with DOT 3,4 or 5 can cause lots of problems which include corrosion in your system which can cause failure of your brakes.

I reckon a trip to the dealer for a couple of rebuild kits is in order today then. The guy I bought the bike from said he'd 'fitted new O rings to the brakes' but when I opened the front brake the fluid was gungy, and it damaged the paint on the handlebar switch, so I'm thinking HE had the wrong fluid in to begin with.

I have a new braided line in the front so I think that should be okay if I just flush it and blow it through with the airline.

Sep 22, 2008 | 10:48 AM

#35

wallyn

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 709

Likes: 1

From:

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Herald

Somewehre it was suggested you test your fluid if you are not sure which it is. Buy the fluid you think you should have and then pour some in a bottle cap. From your brake resevoior get a few drops of brake fluid and drop it in the cap. If they blend you are fine. If they stay seperated you need a different type of fluid. 3, 4 and 5.1 will blend. 5 will only work with 5.

5 can be found in better auto parts stores. It will say Silicon Brake fluid on the can.

Sep 22, 2008 | 10:52 AM

#36

wallyn

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 709

Likes: 1

From:

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Herald

The guy I bought the bike from said he'd 'fitted new O rings to the brakes' but when I opened the front brake the fluid was gungy, and it damaged the paint on the handlebar switch, so I'm thinking HE had the wrong fluid in to begin with.

If it damaged the paint it is not DOT 5. He may have refilled with Dot 4.

DOT 5 has higher heat range but will also not damage paint. So do the test above.

Dec 7, 2008 | 03:38 PM

#37

tk353

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 5,257

Likes: 6

From: Leander Texas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_4

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...fluid_1a.shtml

Dec 7, 2008 | 03:48 PM

#38

tk353

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 5,257

Likes: 6

From: Leander Texas

http://www.lyndallracingbrakes.com/service_tech.htm

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Dec 7, 2008 | 04:36 PM

#39

ranger56528

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Joined: Mar 2008

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From: Mn.on a lake,well nxt to a lake.

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Dec 7, 2008 | 06:53 PM

#40

deni

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 439

Likes: 5

From: Austin Texas

I don't trust parts counter guys. Never have. Years of dealing with them has made me more pragmatic. I've never put in the wrong fluids but I'm not gonna' say it couldn't happen, knock on wood.

Bottom line is if I broke, I fix it. If I can afford it, I make it better than it was before it broke. Then I'll brag about it a little.

If I break it again, I fix it again but don't tell anyone.

Last edited by deni; Dec 7, 2008 at 06:56 PM.

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