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Brake Fluid Question
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 725
Likes: 3
From: Hagerstown, MD
Brake Fluid Question
I bought a 2006 sportster back in october. in November, along with all the other maintanence I attempted to change the brake fluid assuming that it probably had never been changed before.
I started with the front, all the manuals said to use the purple stuff so that's what I used. so I changed it and after replaced all the fluid I noticed that the fluid I removed was Amber and not purple.
So I was like ****, because it said clearly on the bottle of purple fluid "do not mix this with amber brake fluid, brake damage could result". So now it's 2 months later and the brakes are working fine with no leaks but the bike it pretty much in storage, I figured if it developed leaks I would just have to replace everything but now I'm thinking that's going to be pretty damn expensive if that happens.
I guess I should flush it all again to try and get more of the amber stuff out,
Does anyone have any past experience with this type of issue? Does anyone know if HD changed brake fluids at some point? Once I noticed this I didn't mess with the back brake. That fluid also appears to be amber.
Could the purple stuff have turned an amber color due to age?
I started with the front, all the manuals said to use the purple stuff so that's what I used. so I changed it and after replaced all the fluid I noticed that the fluid I removed was Amber and not purple.
So I was like ****, because it said clearly on the bottle of purple fluid "do not mix this with amber brake fluid, brake damage could result". So now it's 2 months later and the brakes are working fine with no leaks but the bike it pretty much in storage, I figured if it developed leaks I would just have to replace everything but now I'm thinking that's going to be pretty damn expensive if that happens.
I guess I should flush it all again to try and get more of the amber stuff out,
Does anyone have any past experience with this type of issue? Does anyone know if HD changed brake fluids at some point? Once I noticed this I didn't mess with the back brake. That fluid also appears to be amber.
Could the purple stuff have turned an amber color due to age?
Last edited by 06Sporty75; Jan 22, 2012 at 08:35 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Used brake fluid changes color over time. The DOT 5 (purple) fluid in mine turns amber.
FYI: The correct brake fluid type (DOT #) for your bike printed on the master cylinder covers.
FYI: The correct brake fluid type (DOT #) for your bike printed on the master cylinder covers.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,591
Likes: 4,021
From: San Diego, CA
I just replaced my rear brakelight sender, had to bleed the brakes afterward. Yesterday I bought some DOT 5, it was purple. The older fluid was amber in the reservoir. I noticed the difference, but did not think about it until your post.
As long as you use the right DOT number fluid, you should be fine.
John
As long as you use the right DOT number fluid, you should be fine.
John
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,588
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Be sure yours does call for DOT 5. I thought all Harleys' went to 4 when ABS came on line. If it's Dot 5 the purple does fade away like has been said. However since it does not absorb water it is long life. Just scoop out master, refill and pump a few master cylinders thru and you will be fine.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 574
Likes: 3
From: AB Canada
Be sure yours does call for DOT 5. I thought all Harleys' went to 4 when ABS came on line. If it's Dot 5 the purple does fade away like has been said. However since it does not absorb water it is long life. Just scoop out master, refill and pump a few master cylinders thru and you will be fine.
Last edited by 1CdnHD; Jan 22, 2012 at 11:28 AM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,591
Likes: 4,021
From: San Diego, CA
I've had my 1991 since new, and it uses DOT 5, says so right on the reservoir cover and shop manual.
John
John
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
Harley has flip-flopped on type of brake fluid a couple of times. Check your master cylinder covers, but I'm pretty sure they went back to DOT 4 in 2007 for the Sportsters. 2006 for Softail, V-rod and Dyna. In 2005, Touring.
From Harley's web site:
DOT 4 Brake Fluid
12-oz. Bottle 99953-99A
For use in '06-later VRSC, '07-later XL, '08-later XR, '06-later DynaŽ and SoftailŽ, and '05-later Touring models.
DOT 5 Brake Fluid
For use in all models (except '06-later VRSC, '07-later XL, '08-later XR, '06-later DynaŽ and SoftailŽ, and '05-later Touring models).
From Harley's web site:
DOT 4 Brake Fluid
12-oz. Bottle 99953-99A
For use in '06-later VRSC, '07-later XL, '08-later XR, '06-later DynaŽ and SoftailŽ, and '05-later Touring models.
DOT 5 Brake Fluid
For use in all models (except '06-later VRSC, '07-later XL, '08-later XR, '06-later DynaŽ and SoftailŽ, and '05-later Touring models).
Last edited by HarleyScuba; Jan 23, 2012 at 12:23 PM. Reason: nunya
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
Did you get 4 and 5 backwards?