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Bought this bike new November 2018, manufactured July 2018. Tested and flushed my brake fluids today, 23 June 2019 at 6,853 miles. Both front and rear failed with moisture content >4%. Those of you that think flushing your DOT4 every two years is good enough, especially if you live in a humid climate, think again. Harley's recommendation of flushing every two years is stretching it.
I usually test my brake fluids new after I open the bottle too. They usually already test at <1% of moisture content, sometimes <2%. Today I used Motul DOT4 660. This is the first time I've tested a DOT4 brand new with 0%, I'm impressed. If you use the prong tester such as in the picture, be sure not to touch the prongs to the master cylinder walls or you'll get a false failure reading. I'll be curious to see how the Motul 660 tests after a year in Florida.
I tested my 1-1/2 year old brake fluid a couple of weeks ago when I changed the brake pads and it was <1%. I live along the upper Texas Gulf coast where the humidity is almost always high. I do plan on flushing it in the very near future.
I tested my 1-1/2 year old brake fluid a couple of weeks ago when I changed the brake pads and it was <1%. I live along the upper Texas Gulf coast where the humidity is almost always high. I do plan on flushing it in the very near future.
I test on average 4 to 5 bikes a week. I can say Ive never tested a bike with 1 1/2 year old brake fluid at <1%. Did you fully submerge the test probes into the fluid? If only the tip was submerged, its not accurate.
Bought this bike new November 2018, manufactured July 2018. Tested and flushed my brake fluids today, 23 June 2019 at 6,853 miles. Both front and rear failed with moisture content >4%. Those of you that think flushing your DOT4 every two years is good enough, especially if you live in a humid climate, think again. Harley's recommendation of flushing every two years is stretching it.
I usually test my brake fluids new after I open the bottle too. They usually already test at <1% of moisture content, sometimes <2%. Today I used Motul DOT4 660. This is the first time I've tested a DOT4 brand new with 0%, I'm impressed. If you use the prong tester such as in the picture, be sure not to touch the prongs to the master cylinder walls or you'll get a false failure reading. I'll be curious to see how the Motul 660 tests after a year in Florida.
Glad to hear your initial real-world moisture test showed the quality of the product. Keep us updated on how it handles the humidity after riding this year and any other impressions you have!
I tested my 1-1/2 year old brake fluid a couple of weeks ago when I changed the brake pads and it was <1%. I live along the upper Texas Gulf coast where the humidity is almost always high. I do plan on flushing it in the very near future.
Case in point sir, I flushed by clutch hydraulic fluid today. I took pictures as I progressively submerged the prongs on the DOT4 tester. With just the tips in the fluid, it tested <1% when I fully submerged them without touching the master cylinder, it registered the true moisture saturation of the DOT4.
I tested another newly opened bottle of Motul DOT4 660, again it was 0%. Can't wait to see how it tests after a year in Florida.
I test on average 4 to 5 bikes a week. I can say Ive never tested a bike with 1 1/2 year old brake fluid at <1%. Did you fully submerge the test probes into the fluid? If only the tip was submerged, its not accurate.
I don't know what I did wrong, but you are right. I tested again and it pegged the meter at >4%! Thanks for checking me. The fluid still looked good, though.
I don't know what I did wrong, but you are right. I tested again and it pegged the meter at >4%! Thanks for checking me. The fluid still looked good, though.
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DOT4 Brake Fluid after 1 Year
