Flushing brake lines

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Dec 23, 2010 | 05:13 PM

slyder

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From: Nebraska

Flushing brake lines

Ive flushed brake lines with new fluid before but ive heard of people using denatured alcohol before. Is this a good practice or is there something else you can use?

Also Im getting ready to install Progressive Monotube Cartridges in my 99 FLHRCI and have a feeling its gonna be really nasty in those tubes....what should i flush the forks with?

Dec 23, 2010 | 06:54 PM

honestbob

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From: way down upon the Suwannee River

Unless the brake fluid was contaminated with water why would you change it? I had 10 years on my last bike with the original fluid.

Dec 23, 2010 | 07:02 PM

DTTJGlide

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From: North Cental Iowa

Brake kleen works good on brake lines & probably on the forks also, it evaporates & doesn't leave a residue.

Dec 23, 2010 | 07:20 PM

slyder

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From: Nebraska

I just upgraded my 99 rear swingarm with a 2006 model and the 06 caliper to go with it and also replaced the brake line (cause mine had a bad spot where it rubbed on the floorboard bracket).........the fluid was .....well....it looked like used motor oil. Strange since the fluid I put in was purple!

Dec 23, 2010 | 07:44 PM

tincup64

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From: southeastern, ma

Quote:

Originally Posted by honestbob

Unless the brake fluid was contaminated with water why would you change it? I had 10 years on my last bike with the original fluid.

serious? wow - thats a new one for me. your probably right. i flush every couple of years on my motorcycles, but come to think of it - i never think of doing it with my cars. hmm. this will get me thinking.

as far as cleaning the sliders, just did mine and i 2nd brakekleen. that stuffs great. even the more environmentaly friendly green one.

tin

Dec 23, 2010 | 07:46 PM

slyder

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From: Nebraska

Yeah brake fluid is relatively cheap. Even if its not necessary......its worth the peace of mind.

Dec 23, 2010 | 09:55 PM

DTTJGlide

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From: North Cental Iowa

Make sure your brake fluids are compatible, I'm not sure if MOCO changed from Dot 5 to Dot 4 in 06 or 07. Hopefully it was in 07 since you used Dot 5, purple color, otherwise you can have major problems since they definitely don't mix. I'm pretty sure it was 07, but you might want to check with somebody to be sure, I know it was talked about on an earlier post, but not sure what you'd want to search for to find it.