Dot 4/5 and Calipers
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 2
From: Lancaster, PA
Dot 4/5 and Calipers
I'm going to switch out my front end to a 2000 and up. Bigger axle, more wheel choices, and the main reason better brakes. I'm picking up a set of take off front calipersfrom a forum member off his 07. My 99 takes Dot 5 and the 07's went back to Dot 4. Since the caliper #'s haven't changed I'm guessing there's not anydifference with the calipers just the brake fluid? Thanks, much, Bryan
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 624
RE: Dot 4/5 and Calipers
Bryan - DOT 4 and DOT 5 are not compatible. You probably already knew this.
You're going to have to take apart, flush, and replace all seals in either the new calipers, or the master cylinder and brake lines that are already on your bike.
Personally, I would rather dis-assemble the calipers for 4 reasons:
1) They are not already on your bike
2) They seem easier to take apart and put back together than a master cylinder
3) You won't have to worry about flushing the brake lines
4) DOT 5 is supposed to be better (higher boiling point) than DOT 4
I just went through this same thing with the new Jay Brake 6 piston. The Jaybrake specified DOT 5. I called them and they said since it had never been installed before, DOT 4 would be ok.
Hope this helps.
You're going to have to take apart, flush, and replace all seals in either the new calipers, or the master cylinder and brake lines that are already on your bike.
Personally, I would rather dis-assemble the calipers for 4 reasons:
1) They are not already on your bike
2) They seem easier to take apart and put back together than a master cylinder
3) You won't have to worry about flushing the brake lines
4) DOT 5 is supposed to be better (higher boiling point) than DOT 4
I just went through this same thing with the new Jay Brake 6 piston. The Jaybrake specified DOT 5. I called them and they said since it had never been installed before, DOT 4 would be ok.
Hope this helps.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 2
From: Lancaster, PA
RE: Dot 4/5 and Calipers
Yeah it does help. I knew I'd have to prob flushout themnew calipers I'm getting from Biggzed [sm=icon_rofl.gif]Sorry couldn't resit. My only concern was the rubber in the calipers being different for some Dumb, Odd reason for the 4 and 5 fluid. I really didn't think that they would be but hey, you never know. I'm def sticking with the DOT 5 just wanted to double check to make sure what I thought was right, actually was. 
Did I read somewhere where denatured alcohol was a good choice to use for the flush, or do i just have alcohol on the brain? [sm=icon_guiness.gif]
Did I read somewhere where denatured alcohol was a good choice to use for the flush, or do i just have alcohol on the brain? [sm=icon_guiness.gif]
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 95
From: lancaster, pa
RE: Dot 4/5 and Calipers
Seems that dot 5 needs more maintnance in the long run but could just be my imagination. Seems like you have to be ontop of replacing fluid and master cylinder rebuilt more often? And how much "boiling" is there really goinon? Somethin to think about?
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 2
From: Lancaster, PA
RE: Dot 4/5 and Calipers
ORIGINAL: voodoodrug
Seems that dot 5 needs more maintnance in the long run but could just be my imagination. Seems like you have to be ontop of replacing fluid and master cylinder rebuilt more often? And how much "boiling" is there really goinon? Somethin to think about?
Seems that dot 5 needs more maintnance in the long run but could just be my imagination. Seems like you have to be ontop of replacing fluid and master cylinder rebuilt more often? And how much "boiling" is there really goinon? Somethin to think about?
My 99 has all but 50,000 thousand on it and the master cylinder, and calipers are fine. No leaks no problems. I am curious as to why HD went backwards to DOT 4 though. [&:]
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 624
RE: Dot 4/5 and Calipers
ORIGINAL: Bryan1724
Yeah it does help. I knew I'd have to prob flushout themnew calipers I'm getting from Biggzed [sm=icon_rofl.gif]Sorry couldn't resit. My only concern was the rubber in the calipers being different for some Dumb, Odd reason for the 4 and 5 fluid. I really didn't think that they would be but hey, you never know. I'm def sticking with the DOT 5 just wanted to double check to make sure what I thought was right, actually was.Did I read somewhere where denatured alcohol was a good choice to use for the flush, or do i just have alcohol on the brain? [sm=icon_guiness.gif]
Yeah it does help. I knew I'd have to prob flushout themnew calipers I'm getting from Biggzed [sm=icon_rofl.gif]Sorry couldn't resit. My only concern was the rubber in the calipers being different for some Dumb, Odd reason for the 4 and 5 fluid. I really didn't think that they would be but hey, you never know. I'm def sticking with the DOT 5 just wanted to double check to make sure what I thought was right, actually was.
Did I read somewhere where denatured alcohol was a good choice to use for the flush, or do i just have alcohol on the brain? [sm=icon_guiness.gif]
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Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 69
From: Northford, CT
RE: Dot 4/5 and Calipers
From what Iwas toldthey went back to Dot 4 because they were having someproblems with Dot 5 on ABS police bikes. Changing fluid solved the problem.
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