what dot brake fluid?
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
From: edinburgh , scotland
what dot brake fluid?
I recently got some air in my rear brake line and after bleeding and changeing the fluid to dot 4 castrol it feels.....like it should be alittle tighter on the brake lever. thing is i changed the lever as i was doing it to the black billet harley one from the stock lever so dont really have anything to compaire to......I thought maybe theres a better brake fluid because im 99.9% sure theres no air in there now..... can you guys tell me what fluid you are running so i can get the right stuff?
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 640
Likes: 44
From: Mancheser UK
Just got the Fat one services and Dot 4 is what the dealer used, flushed the lines right though so its all new fluid,Front and back, the pessure comes on a lot sooner both front and back, made a lot of noticable difference. ( Just noticed some riders on the forum have Dot 5, my dealer in Manchester used Dot 4, may be a model thing, I'd your the local dealer a call .
Ride safe
Reddog
Manchester UK
Ride safe
Reddog
Manchester UK
Last edited by reddog8145; Oct 6, 2009 at 02:56 AM. Reason: up date
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: United Socialist Republic of Massachusetts
DOT 3 / DOT 4 are glycol based (can be mixed without a problem)
DOT 5 is Silicone based ( CAN NOT BE MIXED WITH DOT 3/4 )
if it came with DOT 5 the system MUST be flushed before using DOT 4, otherwise it will gel up the lines(you'll have to replace them).
DOT 5 is Silicone based ( CAN NOT BE MIXED WITH DOT 3/4 )
if it came with DOT 5 the system MUST be flushed before using DOT 4, otherwise it will gel up the lines(you'll have to replace them).
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,959
Likes: 2
From: Back in Oz M8
HD's used to come with DOT5 from the factory, but now come with DOT4. I am not sure whether 5 is better than 4, but I do know not to mix them. Your XB will be DOT4, so you are good to go. Maybe ride for a while and do another bleed to purge any air remaining.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
From: edinburgh , scotland
thats probably it then cause mines right to the top.......i think i will see now if theres any more air to bleed and take some fluid back out...... thanks for the tip
Dot 5 is not water soluble so it will last longer than DOT 3 or 4. My 2002 runs DOT 5 as does the wife's 2005.
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 717
Likes: 1
From: Drexel Hill, Pa
I run DOT 5 out of habbit. It's what I used on all my dirt bikes. I just put new front lines on and used it. Until I have a reason to totally flush the rear I'll just stick with 4.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Novice
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
By 2006 all H-D's went to Dot 4. I used to like the Dot 5 silicone stuff only for the fact that it wouldn't damage paint and didn't draw moisture. Under a microscope (i've read) Dot 5 is full of tiny air bubbles. It's just part of it's make up-they never rise to the top. This accounts for the spongy feel when using dot 5. All new H-D's are Dot 4 and have a MUCH more solid feel, than the Dot 5 days. Reservoir level should be 1/4" from the top per the service manual (reservoir level has no effect on feel at the lever what so ever) it would have to be empty or completely full (not allowing for fluid relief port return and the pistons in the caliper would probably stick out)for this to happen. My 2cents-Glenn.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
well mine did