How often do you flush your motorcycle brake fluid
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I tend to do it approximately every 2 years. I probably do the rear brake less than the fronts only because the reservoir is a little annoying to get to. I hadn't flushed mine on my previous bike for several years and while they still stopped the bike, I hadn't noticed that the lever felt a little sticky or notchy. A quick flush and it was smooth again, I try to flush more often now. Obviously it depends a lot on how your ride your bike, in what kind of environments and such, but I'm sure you could go much longer than the recommended 2 years, but it's so easy, so why not?
2-3 years, but I wait until it starts to get dark.
It's very simple and easy to do.
It's very simple and easy to do.
10 - 20 years. Works for me.
every bike I have owned, as well as some of the newer cars are calling for 2 year fluid change. I'm not exactly following the schedule; but I will probably do the bikes at 4-5 years; and the car gets it when I change pads.
On my sportbikes ridden on the street, minimum of yearly, more often if usage dictates. If riding on the track, then before every outing.
Every 2 years but on a bike like yours I would probably convert it to DOT 5 silicone. Some SS lines and a thorough flush and dry with alcohol is all it takes. SS lines are not a must but they seem to provide more braking control with DOT 5 and it makes it easier to flush with the OE rubber out of the picture.
Dot 5 does not absorb moisture, is paint friendly and is good for the caliper and MC seals.
Dot 5 does not absorb moisture, is paint friendly and is good for the caliper and MC seals.
Originally Posted By: Trav
Every 2 years but on a bike like yours I would probably convert it to DOT 5 silicone. Some SS lines and a thorough flush and dry with alcohol is all it takes. SS lines are not a must but they seem to provide more braking control with DOT 5 and it makes it easier to flush with the OE rubber out of the picture.
Dot 5 does not absorb moisture, is paint friendly and is good for the caliper and MC seals.
Using DOT5 (not 5.1) in a DOT4 engineered circuit ? First time I hear that! So it means a DOT5 circuit could be dried and filled with DOT3/4/5.1 fluid ?
Every 2 years but on a bike like yours I would probably convert it to DOT 5 silicone. Some SS lines and a thorough flush and dry with alcohol is all it takes. SS lines are not a must but they seem to provide more braking control with DOT 5 and it makes it easier to flush with the OE rubber out of the picture.
Dot 5 does not absorb moisture, is paint friendly and is good for the caliper and MC seals.
Using DOT5 (not 5.1) in a DOT4 engineered circuit ? First time I hear that! So it means a DOT5 circuit could be dried and filled with DOT3/4/5.1 fluid ?
Several years ago I had a problem with the hydraulic clutch slipping on my ZRX1100. I had recently replaced all of the frictions and steels with Kawasaki parts so I knew that wasn't the problem. I also had heavier springs. I found that if I opened the bleeder that the clutch would stop slipping for a short time. I thought that the slave cylinder must have been sticking so I pumped the piston out and cleaned everything up. I continued having problems, I scratched my head and messed with it for a while. Finally I noticed a small indention in the bottom of the master cylinder. It just looked like a dimple, I kept fooling with it until I found that there was a tiny hole at the bottom of that dimple. It had become plugged with corrosion. I cleaned it out and the clutch went back to working like it should. The bike was about 9 years old at the time and I don't know if the clutch fluid had ever been changed.
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Brake fluid flushes are required every two years by most motorcycle manufacturers.
The reason for this is to remove the moisture that the brake fluid absorbed.
Too much moisture in your brake fluid leads to the deterioration of your master cylinders and calipers.
Dot 5 silicone based brake fluid does not absorb moisture and that is bad as the moisture then accumulates as water inside the brake system since there is nothing to absorb the moisture and that is bad. Think of it this way when you buy electronics they come with silica packs in them to absorb the moisture and prevent damage to the electronic components. Dot 4 brake fluid Works much the same way.
Almost all automobile and motorcycle manufacturers require DOT 4 for for that reason.
You should never use an unspecified brake fluid in a brake system.
The manufacturer designs the system based on the type of fluid being used.
I believe there may be some new DOT 5 non silicone-based brake fluids available but the bottom line is follow what the manufacturer recommends and don't guess as your life may depend on it.
The reason for this is to remove the moisture that the brake fluid absorbed.
Too much moisture in your brake fluid leads to the deterioration of your master cylinders and calipers.
Dot 5 silicone based brake fluid does not absorb moisture and that is bad as the moisture then accumulates as water inside the brake system since there is nothing to absorb the moisture and that is bad. Think of it this way when you buy electronics they come with silica packs in them to absorb the moisture and prevent damage to the electronic components. Dot 4 brake fluid Works much the same way.
Almost all automobile and motorcycle manufacturers require DOT 4 for for that reason.
You should never use an unspecified brake fluid in a brake system.
The manufacturer designs the system based on the type of fluid being used.
I believe there may be some new DOT 5 non silicone-based brake fluids available but the bottom line is follow what the manufacturer recommends and don't guess as your life may depend on it.
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Dot 5 does not allow moisture into the system it is not hygroscopic like glycol based fluids.
It is not recommended for ABS systems, HD used/uses it factory fill, I have used it in many bikes for 30 years with no issues whatsoever even in Honda's DCBS.
There are no real negative to using DOT 5 as long as the system has been thoroughly flushed and preferably dried. The positives of using it are it eliminates the possibility of corrosion when sitting long period like winter storage and reduced seal wear in the system.
There is no "new" DOT 5 non silicone only 5.1 which is glycol based.
Your point about using only spec fluid is correct but if done properly DOT 5 is a real alternative with added benefits. Did I mention if you spill it on you nice tank it wont damage or even discolor the paint, one of the main reasons HD uses this more expensive product,
http://etype.chrisvine.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/DOT5 Silicone Brake Fluid.pdf
It is not recommended for ABS systems, HD used/uses it factory fill, I have used it in many bikes for 30 years with no issues whatsoever even in Honda's DCBS.
There are no real negative to using DOT 5 as long as the system has been thoroughly flushed and preferably dried. The positives of using it are it eliminates the possibility of corrosion when sitting long period like winter storage and reduced seal wear in the system.
There is no "new" DOT 5 non silicone only 5.1 which is glycol based.
Your point about using only spec fluid is correct but if done properly DOT 5 is a real alternative with added benefits. Did I mention if you spill it on you nice tank it wont damage or even discolor the paint, one of the main reasons HD uses this more expensive product,
http://etype.chrisvine.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/DOT5 Silicone Brake Fluid.pdf
Originally Posted By: Trav
Dot 5 does not allow moisture into the system it is not hygroscopic like glycol based fluids.
It is not recommended for ABS systems, HD used/uses it factory fill, I have used it in many bikes for 30 years with no issues whatsoever even in Honda's DCBS.
There are no real negative to using DOT 5 as long as the system has been thoroughly flushed and preferably dried. The positives of using it are it eliminates the possibility of corrosion when sitting long period like winter storage and reduced seal wear in the system.
There is no "new" DOT 5 non silicone only 5.1 which is glycol based.
Your point about using only spec fluid is correct but if done properly DOT 5 is a real alternative with added benefits. Did I mention if you spill it on you nice tank it wont damage or even discolor the paint, one of the main reasons HD uses this more expensive product,
http://etype.chrisvine.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/DOT5 Silicone Brake Fluid.pdf
Again, I would suggest people follow what the manufacturer requires. Its not brain science. Change fluid every two years and everyone will have a long lasting trouble free brake system and avoid any brake failure in extreme riding.
1. DOT 5 may not let moisture into the system BUT any moisture in the system will stay in there with DOT5
2. Like I said there is a NON silicone based DOT 5 and maybe I should have been specific but think everyone will agree its EASY for the consumer to confuse. The non silicone DOT 5 is called DOT 5.1
3. Bottom line, the automobile you drive everyday uses DOT 4, why over think it, for most people anyway.
If someone (like you and others) really understand what they are doing, sure whatever makes someone happy but again, its not an improvement as far as I am concerned, only a negative and why its not used in almost all automobiles but again ...
)
For the people who dont understand here is a GREAT short explaination - Click here
Here is part of it ...
"DOT 5 is silicone fluid and the above does not apply. Ideally, silicone fluid should be used only to fill non-ABS systems that have not been previously filled with glycol based fluid. Any system that has used glycol-based fluid will contain moisture; glycol fluid disperses the moisture throughout the system and contains corrosion inhibitors. Silicone fluid does not allow moisture to enter the system, but does not disperse any that is already there, either. A system filled from dry with silicone fluid does not require the fluid to be changed at intervals, only when the system has been disturbed for a component repair or renewal."
Also for the average person he/she may gets brakes serviced one day and if he/she switched the system over to DOT 5 (not 5.1) they may end up with a mix of DOT 4 and 5 since 4 is used in most all modern bikes and cars.
However I do understand what you are saying, honestly never really thought much about it until this thread, other then change your brake fluid on time, I learned the hard way when my rear brake stopped working on my then Yamaha vstar 1300 on a mountain road, 2 up and luggage. Vapor lock, caused the rear brake to fail coming down a mountain.
It was then, I found BURIED in the Yamaha Maintenance "NOTES" section not even on the maintenance chart to change brake fluid every two years.
Dot 5 does not allow moisture into the system it is not hygroscopic like glycol based fluids.
It is not recommended for ABS systems, HD used/uses it factory fill, I have used it in many bikes for 30 years with no issues whatsoever even in Honda's DCBS.
There are no real negative to using DOT 5 as long as the system has been thoroughly flushed and preferably dried. The positives of using it are it eliminates the possibility of corrosion when sitting long period like winter storage and reduced seal wear in the system.
There is no "new" DOT 5 non silicone only 5.1 which is glycol based.
Your point about using only spec fluid is correct but if done properly DOT 5 is a real alternative with added benefits. Did I mention if you spill it on you nice tank it wont damage or even discolor the paint, one of the main reasons HD uses this more expensive product,
http://etype.chrisvine.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/DOT5 Silicone Brake Fluid.pdf
Again, I would suggest people follow what the manufacturer requires. Its not brain science. Change fluid every two years and everyone will have a long lasting trouble free brake system and avoid any brake failure in extreme riding.
1. DOT 5 may not let moisture into the system BUT any moisture in the system will stay in there with DOT5
2. Like I said there is a NON silicone based DOT 5 and maybe I should have been specific but think everyone will agree its EASY for the consumer to confuse. The non silicone DOT 5 is called DOT 5.1
3. Bottom line, the automobile you drive everyday uses DOT 4, why over think it, for most people anyway.
If someone (like you and others) really understand what they are doing, sure whatever makes someone happy but again, its not an improvement as far as I am concerned, only a negative and why its not used in almost all automobiles but again ...
)For the people who dont understand here is a GREAT short explaination - Click here
Here is part of it ...
"DOT 5 is silicone fluid and the above does not apply. Ideally, silicone fluid should be used only to fill non-ABS systems that have not been previously filled with glycol based fluid. Any system that has used glycol-based fluid will contain moisture; glycol fluid disperses the moisture throughout the system and contains corrosion inhibitors. Silicone fluid does not allow moisture to enter the system, but does not disperse any that is already there, either. A system filled from dry with silicone fluid does not require the fluid to be changed at intervals, only when the system has been disturbed for a component repair or renewal."
Also for the average person he/she may gets brakes serviced one day and if he/she switched the system over to DOT 5 (not 5.1) they may end up with a mix of DOT 4 and 5 since 4 is used in most all modern bikes and cars.
However I do understand what you are saying, honestly never really thought much about it until this thread, other then change your brake fluid on time, I learned the hard way when my rear brake stopped working on my then Yamaha vstar 1300 on a mountain road, 2 up and luggage. Vapor lock, caused the rear brake to fail coming down a mountain.
It was then, I found BURIED in the Yamaha Maintenance "NOTES" section not even on the maintenance chart to change brake fluid every two years.
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Per the time/mileage recommendation shown in the owner manual maintenance schedule.
The Road King may have DOT 5 from the factory, I did the switch since a MC top leaked brake fluid on the paint on a full body bike.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/dot-5-brake-fluid-pa-12-9990277--1
https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/dot-5-brake-fluid-pa-12-9990277--1
just as a side note; HD has moved away from DOT 5 in recent years and now uses DOT 3/4/5.1.
Originally Posted By: MotoTribologist
just as a side note; HD has moved away from DOT 5 in recent years and now uses DOT 3/4/5.1.
Did they go ABS? If they did (I don't follow the make or models) that's the reason.
just as a side note; HD has moved away from DOT 5 in recent years and now uses DOT 3/4/5.1.
Did they go ABS? If they did (I don't follow the make or models) that's the reason.
Every 2 years. It's so quick and easy to do especially since I stated doing a gravity bleed which is fool proof as long as the reservoir is kept topped up.
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