Brake fluid????? Type

[screamineagle]

Noticed my brake fluid is a little low. It said only use DOT 4 but is there a special DOT 4 for motorcycles like our oil is? Dumb question but I'd rather be safe then sorry. Thanks Guys.

 

[onelogue]

Good question.. Im getting ready to bleed mine myself.

 

[ophawk]

nope no difference, dot 4 just a higher temp tolerance than dot 3, and dot 5 is synthetic, won't hurt painted surfaces.
later
dale

 

[Baal]

DOT 5 is silicone, and is not compatible with the XB series brake systems, which use DOT 3 or 4. DOT 5.1 is Motul's synthetic variant on DOT 3/4, and is supposedly less hygrosopic (doesn't attract moisture as much as regular 3/4). Valvoline and Castrol (among others, I'm sure) make synthetic 3/4.

It's my understanding that some tubers used DOT 5, but smarter folks than me will need to confirm.

HTH.

 

[RT Performance]

get dot 4
it is what is suppose to be in there

 

[ophawk]

sorry about that slipup, thats what i meant

 

[Thorivola]

Prestone DOT4 synthetic in all of my motorcycles

available at Wal-Mart, just a couple $$s

 

[screamineagle]

Is conventional what they add in the factory. I'm just going to top mine off.

 

[Baal]

Sure. Conventional DOT 4. Less than $3 at Manny, Moe & Jack's.

 

[bajabomber87]

Why is DOT 5 not compatible?

 

[ophawk]

It has to do with the material in the hoses and seals. and the dot 3/4 cannot be mixed with the dot 5. but of course my rear has dot 5, its a tuber, don't know what the xb's or 1125's take.

 

[Baal]

Why is DOT 5 not compatible?

HERE is a reasonably good, short explanation. I'm sure there are other reasons, but I guess the short answer for me is that the theoretical upside of DOT 5 is exceedingly small compared to the potential downside. HTH.

 

[bajabomber87]

So no real explanation from Buell about it, I'll continue using it, never had a problem yet.

 

[Baal]

So, Buell saying "don't" is inadequate? (I'm assuming you're talking about using DOT 5 in something other than a tuber, right?)

 

[bajabomber87]

Show me where Buell says DONT and why DOT 5 will ruin the system, not what you read on the internet or the owners manual suggested type of fluid.

 

[lShAD0w]

dumb question what does good break fluid look like, how do you know when to change it? mine is like milky with a little greenish tint

 

[oh9bolt]

BrAKe fluid should be clear.

Do you realize that you are bumping rather old threads.

 

[williegoat]

DON'T MIX DOT4 with DOT5!

Though there is no difference in the hardware, if the two are mixed, the fluid can jell up, and that can be a very bad thing.

My '99 tuber uses DOT5, but they changed back to DOT4 in '00. My XB uses DOT4.

BrAKe fluid should be clear.

DOT5 is purple.

 

[snrusnak]

XB's use DOT 4. It may say DOT 3 or 4, I don't remember, but just use DOT 4.

 

[lShAD0w]

Yes I do, is that so bad it pertains to my question guess I can make a brand new thread every time.