Brake problem from local shop!
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
From: SE Wisconsin
Brake problem from local shop!
Well I figured I would take my 07 SG in to a local shop for a set of tires. The local shop has been around for many years and had maybe 30 custom bikes in the shop being worked on. So I get a call from the shop that my bike was ready. I jump on my bike and start heading for home. When I start to apply the brakes I can feel the brakes levers starting to go down further then normal. So I take the bike back to the shop and explain the extra play in both brakes. So the guy tells me they need to bleed the brakes. Sounds like a good idea to me. So I start watching them bleed the brakes, and while they are doing this I see the owner adding brake fluid to my bike. I'm not thinking any thing of it until I hear the owner say Harley went cheep on DOT 4 brake fluid and they should have stuck with DOT 5. Now the owner takes my bike for a ride and says its ok now. He also offers me a free hoodie from the store. I get home later (this is late Friday night) and see purple brake fluid in my bike. The guy bled out the DOT 4 and put in DOT 5. All I read on the net is how you can't mix DOT 4 and DOT 5. So my question is, Am I screwed? What should I do?
Mark
Mark
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 216
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From: Aurora, IL
Flush the brake fluid and refill with DOT 4. Do NOT mix the two, DOT 5 is Silicone based and completely different than DOT 4. This can actually cause all the seals and hoses some damage. Oh, and don't ever bring your bike back to that place.
Last edited by barkingspud; Apr 2, 2012 at 09:28 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: So Cal The Golden State
Think about it.
What does the brakes have to do with a tire change. I would take to a real dealer rather than a local with 30 frankenstien bikes, But that is me,
What does the brakes have to do with a tire change. I would take to a real dealer rather than a local with 30 frankenstien bikes, But that is me,
Last edited by leicafish; Apr 2, 2012 at 11:03 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Massachusetts
Are you absolutely sure they topped off with dot 5?
If so, get back there and have them flush the system and refill with dot 4. (At no charge for stupidity)
Mixing 4 and 5 will corrode your brake system.
If so, get back there and have them flush the system and refill with dot 4. (At no charge for stupidity)
Mixing 4 and 5 will corrode your brake system.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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It could be that they forgot to pump the brakes back up after reinstalling the wheels prior to returning the bike to you. DOT 4 and DOT 5 are not compatible and a mixture fo the two will gum up. IF they got all fo the DOT 5 out it should not be an issue, however I would look for a new shop personally.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 117
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From: SE Wisconsin
I talked with the owner he admitted that he put in DOT 5, he said he bled Out of all the doc4 for when he put in the dot5. He said he has been doing this for over 20 years. I called the harley dealer and they said it was dangerous. So now I have the local shop coming back to pick up the bike and put in dot4. My concern is I don't know how well the dealer will resolve the fluid issue.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: North Texas
I talked with the owner he admitted that he put in DOT 5, he said he bled Out of all the doc4 for when he put in the dot5. He said he has been doing this for over 20 years. I called the harley dealer and they said it was dangerous. So now I have the local shop coming back to pick up the bike and put in dot4. My concern is I don't know how well the dealer will resolve the fluid issue.
The owner's manual calls for DOT4, and that's what you should put in it. Nothing else.
Oh yeah, I would NEVER, repeat NEVER let that idiot touch my bike again. In fact, he is such an idiot, (and dangerous), that I think you should name the business so that others in your area are aware that this nimrod is there doing things he shouldn't be doing.
Last edited by FLHTCU Owner; Apr 2, 2012 at 12:53 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Indian Land, SC
They do make Silicone Dot 4 now. I just picked up a bottle at WalMart. It's clear like the regular DOT 4. I flushed both my master cyclinders several times to remove all the HD fluid.
Speed Bleeders are the bomb. Once you use them, your never go back to your old brake bleeding ways.....
Speed Bleeders are the bomb. Once you use them, your never go back to your old brake bleeding ways.....