Brake Fluid
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Stage II
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2
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From:
Brake Fluid
I am replacing a rear brake line on a 1997 Sportster 883 Hugger. It calls for DOT 5 fluid which is purple but what I have left in my master cylinder is definitely yellow. I bought the bike last year and know nothing of it's history. My question is: Does DOT 5 turn yellow with age or do you think someone has put the wrong fluid in at some point? I know DOT 5 is extremely incompatible with DOT 4, 5.1 etc. Anybody have any advice? Is there a test to determine what kind of fluid is in the bike? Thanks for any help.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 861
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From: Grosse Ile, Mi
RE: Brake Fluid
Fiddler,...........Dot 5 is purple colored, Dot 5.1 is amber/clear colored. Dot 5 is silicone based, Dot 3, 4, and 5.1 is not. They are not compatable with Dot 5. The answer then would be, change the fluid and put the correct one in. Hope this helps. 
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 613
Likes: 33
From: East Alton, IL
RE: Brake Fluid
I don't mean to hijack this thread but I have a 97 1200 that has a broken rear brake line. Waiting for the part to come in and I noticed the same thing. The fluid that was in there is amost a bright yellow and the top of both master cylinders say use only DOT 5. Nothing about 5.1. I just bought some DOT 5 at the local auto repair place and it is purple or blue in color. DOT 3 and 4 are both clear so I am more that a little confused as well. I also would think that if you named a product 5.1 that it would be compatible with 5 or just name it DOT 6 to avoid confusion.
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But wait! I googled dot 5 and dot 5.1 and they are in fact NOT compatible and are different colors. So which is it \\;Harley puts in the brakes? I \\;will \\;ask my local \\;Harley dealer tomorrow and get his "official word". \\;
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But wait! I googled dot 5 and dot 5.1 and they are in fact NOT compatible and are different colors. So which is it \\;Harley puts in the brakes? I \\;will \\;ask my local \\;Harley dealer tomorrow and get his "official word". \\;
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