Change Brake Fluid Every 2 Years?
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Stage I
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Peoria IL
Change Brake Fluid Every 2 Years?
Received letter from Harley HQ dated 6/2/17 recommending brake system flush and fluid replacement every two years. They say DOT 4 fluid absorbs water, which degrades brake system effectiveness. Just a ploy to generate business in the service department? Any thoughts?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
All about brake fluid: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_fluid
Recent threads on this already:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...nge-w-abs.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ake-fluid.html
Recent threads on this already:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...nge-w-abs.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ake-fluid.html
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
dot 4 absorbs water...
kinda says it all.
where that is a REAL issue is in cold climates, ice crystals form in the brake fluid & can cut/groove/wear rubber seals- so your brakes don;t work- the ice also expands and puts pressure in the system
or if your brakes get hot above 212ş, the water turns to steam and your brakes fail
we all got that letter.
act as you see fit
mike
kinda says it all.
where that is a REAL issue is in cold climates, ice crystals form in the brake fluid & can cut/groove/wear rubber seals- so your brakes don;t work- the ice also expands and puts pressure in the system
or if your brakes get hot above 212ş, the water turns to steam and your brakes fail
we all got that letter.
act as you see fit
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jun 21, 2017 at 01:15 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 188
Likes: 9
From: Northern Virginia
Alot of guys are having problems with the valves in the ABS modulator getting stuck due to corrosion from moisture in the system, Harley is blaming lack of proper brake fluid maintenance for the problem. Changing the fluid every 2 years is cheap insurance against this problem.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 246
From: Columbia SC
Nothing wrong with that as your owner's manual calls for your brake fluid to be changed every two years.
oops even if it came from Harley-Davidson corporate nothing really wrong with the letter reiterating the importance of changing your brake fluid as required. Bottom line a lot of motorcycles from All Brands require the same thing but very few people do it.
A few years back I lost the rear brakes on my V-Star 1300 coming down a mountain, it was not a pleasant experience more so with my wife on the back.
After research I learned about the two-year requirement. However to Yamahas discredit they bury it in the notes section of the owners manual instead of displaying it in the actual maintanance schedule. The reason for my issue was the moisture-laden brake fluid got hot and created vapor lock causing the failure of the rear brake, then once the fluid cooled down the brake started working again.
To Harleys credit it is well displayed in the Rushmore owners manual.
Last edited by alarmdoug; Jun 21, 2017 at 02:04 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,890
Likes: 4,451
From: Texas
This isn't just HD's recommendation, it is a very well known industry standard. All my vehicles get the fluid flushed every two years. Pretty simple to do on a bike. Don't forget about the clutch either if it is hydraulic, you'll need to do that as well.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
Plus 1 on the clutch fluid change as well as the brakes. My hydraulic clutch on my '84 Venture suddenly wouldn't release, and all it was, was it needed a fluid change. Did it myself and cost me about $4.
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Joe Kucinski
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Mountain Top, Alabama
Flush it and ride.
One small bottle of DOT 4 does it on my 'King.
Sure, it covers up a deeper issue, but I will just flush every 2 years and ride.
Sometimes when I'm not riding, I like to spend some quality time with my 'King in the garage with the bike up on the dolly. Flushing brakes is fitted in with fastener checks, snugging bolts, other checks, etc.
One small bottle of DOT 4 does it on my 'King.
Sure, it covers up a deeper issue, but I will just flush every 2 years and ride.
Sometimes when I'm not riding, I like to spend some quality time with my 'King in the garage with the bike up on the dolly. Flushing brakes is fitted in with fastener checks, snugging bolts, other checks, etc.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 81
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
No Sir. My letter came right from the mothership. Milwaukee Wi.