Wow! changed my brake fluid
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 32
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From: kansas
Wow! changed my brake fluid
I changed the rear brake fluid in my 97 sportster today. Wow! The rear brake is so much better now! Before, it was spongy and didn't have much braking power. Now it's crisp and strong! I've never changed the brake fluid in any vehicle before; never really thought it was necessary! Man, was I wrong! I would have changed the front also but the last guy rounded off the bleed screw. I need to get a new one to replace it with before I change the fluid.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: kansas
I don't know the last time it was changed. I bought the bike last fall and I am working through the maintenance check list.
What is the difference between the braking system in this 97 sportster and say my 2012 camry? Both are disk brakes. But I don't need to service my camry's brakes at 5000 mile intervals
What is the difference between the braking system in this 97 sportster and say my 2012 camry? Both are disk brakes. But I don't need to service my camry's brakes at 5000 mile intervals
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 841
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From: Yakima
I don't know the last time it was changed. I bought the bike last fall and I am working through the maintenance check list.
What is the difference between the braking system in this 97 sportster and say my 2012 camry? Both are disk brakes. But I don't need to service my camry's brakes at 5000 mile intervals
What is the difference between the braking system in this 97 sportster and say my 2012 camry? Both are disk brakes. But I don't need to service my camry's brakes at 5000 mile intervals
On a car the entire braking hydraulic system is sealed. And only let's in moisture (air) when there is a leak in the system.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
The service interval for changing brake fluid is 2 years on many vehicles, not mileage related. It isn't included in the service table for recent Harleys, but as a Note after it. That advice hasn't changed since I helped my Dad service his cars, when I was a boy, decades ago! The fluid degrades over time with the ingress of water from the atmosphere.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 946
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From: USA/CA
You likely got air there, which is why you noticed the "better".
I never had the "better" feeling, when changing brake fluids on a properly air-free line.
I never had the "better" feeling, when changing brake fluids on a properly air-free line.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From:
Your bike should have contained DOT 5 brake fluid.
DOT 5 is silicone based and hydrophobic.
It would seem like your brake system was contaminated with air.
A "wow" factor would indicate there was contamination with corrosion or air before.
DOT 5 is silicone based and hydrophobic.
It would seem like your brake system was contaminated with air.
A "wow" factor would indicate there was contamination with corrosion or air before.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
DOT5 doesn't absorb water, but water vapour gets in all hydraulic systems. If it isn't absorbed (as it is by DOT3 and DOT4) it settles in the system, which is not a good thing! The fluid itself does deteriorate and one of the reasons it changes colour over time is to indicate that. A refreshed system in my experience, over several decades, does indeed feel 'better'.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: kansas
Got a new bleed screw and changed the front brake fluid. The feel didn't change too much on that one. It was mentioned that the brake fluid changes color over time. The new DOT 5 fluid is purple. The old rear brake fluid was dark brown almost black, and the front was a dark amber.
