Feb 18, 2015, 05:01 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
Most motorcycle manufacturers will recommend bleeding the brake fluid in specific intervals. Some members can't remember the last time they changed their brake fluid, others do it religiously.
Brake fluid can absorb moisture over time and affect your braking. Better safe than sorry.
Read the full discussion below to find out more.
Brake fluid can absorb moisture over time and affect your braking. Better safe than sorry.
Read the full discussion below to find out more.
Who never changes Brake fluid
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: SE Missouri
Who never changes Brake fluid
Obviously count me in. Grew up in a farm and am old school in thought and what i was taught. Ive never changed brake fluid in my vehicle or bike. I've never had an issue. Likely just jinxed myself but oh well wanted to see if i was alone in my thinking.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 1
From: Madison, WI
In "old School" days that plan worked because the brake fluid was a much different formula. The "new" environmental brake fluids absorb moisture and will eventually damage the system when the water turns to droplets. Might take considerably more than the two years HD recommends changing, but it will get there.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
In "old School" days that plan worked because the brake fluid was a much different formula. The "new" environmental brake fluids absorb moisture and will eventually damage the system when the water turns to droplets. Might take considerably more than the two years HD recommends changing, but it will get there.
And that damage can be ABS related which can quickly get expensive epsecially when it's for a Harley!/LOL!!
Scott
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 9
From: Cherokee Co. Georgia
In "old School" days that plan worked because the brake fluid was a much different formula. The "new" environmental brake fluids absorb moisture and will eventually damage the system when the water turns to droplets. Might take considerably more than the two years HD recommends changing, but it will get there.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: USA
Actually, they are not different. Dot 3&4 were and are glycol. They were and are water absorbing. There is no change here for well over half a century. The closest thing to a change is the addition of Dot 5.1, which is also a glycol, but has a higher boiling point than 3 or 4.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 9
From: Cherokee Co. Georgia
You are absolutely correct about the boiling points. DOT 5.1 should not be confused with DOT 5 fluids. DOT 5 fluid is silicone based & will not absorb water from the air like the other glycol based fluids. It can not be mixed with them either.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, MI
I flush mine out and bleed them every few years (2002 bagger,DOT 5). Front brake lever always feels much better when I do this, I think it builds up a little air in the system. Wether its needed or not, its a peace of mind thing and since I do all my own wrenching, its the cost of a bottle of brake fluid. Same with fork oil.