Brake fluid types?

[EM JAY]

  What kind are ya'll using?     The good stuff or off the shelf at Pep Boys?  What #'s?   

      Thanks.

[Gixxerblade]

I use whateva I can get my hands on. Rumor has it that Castrol SRF is the bee's knee's. But at $60/pint?quart its a little too pricey for us average guys.

[EX_#76]

  What kind are ya'll using?     The good stuff or off the shelf at Pep Boys?  What #'s?  

      Thanks.

I have used hi temp DOT 4 from willwood with good results.  DOT 4 absorbs water but I have never experienced a boiling problem with it.  I usually change the fluid one or two times a season.

[Sobottka]

sup em jay!.. im using motul rbf 600 with good results(even on the suzuki w/ fade prone brakes!!)

[HAWK]

I have used hi temp DOT 4 from willwood with good results.  DOT 4 absorbs water but I have never experienced a boiling problem with it.  I usually change the fluid one or two times a season.

The absorbing water is actually a good thing Guy. You see water has a boiling point of 212 DegF but when DOT 4 fluid has absorbed all the water it can hold it must still have a minimum boiling point of 311 DegF to earn the DOT 4 label. Your DOT 5 synthetic stuff on the other hand has an incredible boiling point out of the box but since it cannot absorb water as soon as any water gets into the system the boiling point drops to 212 DegF (note I do not under any circumstances recommend DOT 5 brake fluid). This is all related to the days when reservoirs and calipers and wheel cylinders were not very well sealed and water would get into the systems. It is also why everyone should have the brake fluid changed in their street vehicles every 2 years. OK show of hands, who has a tow vehicle more than 2 years old with brake fluid less than 2 yeaers old?

EM JAY, If you're changing your fluid a couple times a season then any DOT  4 fluid should work fine on a light weight bike.

[EM JAY]

 Awesome guys thanks big time.  ;)   

This will actually be the first time I've changed it in um...2-3 years...well, since I've had the bike....guess when it looks pretty much black it's about time eh?  DOH!!!!!

[HAWK]

Awesome guys thanks big time.  ;)  

This will actually be the first time I've changed it in um...2-3 years...well, since I've had the bike....guess when it looks pretty much black it's about time eh?  DOH!!!!!

I think that fluid now qualifies as DOT NONE. If you aren't having fade issues with that fluid then fresh DOT 4 will definately work quite well for you.

[EX_#76]

The absorbing water is actually a good thing Guy. You see water has a boiling point of 212 DegF but when DOT 4 fluid has absorbed all the water it can hold it must still have a minimum boiling point of 311 DegF to earn the DOT 4 label. Your DOT 5 synthetic stuff on the other hand has an incredible boiling point out of the box but since it cannot absorb water as soon as any water gets into the system the boiling point drops to 212 DegF (note I do not under any circumstances recommend DOT 5 brake fluid). This is all related to the days when reservoirs and calipers and wheel cylinders were not very well sealed and water would get into the systems. It is also why everyone should have the brake fluid changed in their street vehicles every 2 years. OK show of hands, who has a tow vehicle more than 2 years old with brake fluid less than 2 yeaers old?

EM JAY, If you're changing your fluid a couple times a season then any DOT  4 fluid should work fine on a light weight bike.

While your statment is correct, I wouldn't say that absorbing water is a good thing .  The 311 degree wet boiling point is significantly lower than the 446 degree dry boiling point.  I am not sure how hot the brakes get, but 311 doesn't seem out of the question.

Good point on the synthetic and water mixture.  I had never realy thought about that way.

Are you bringing that new SV to BHF this weekend?

[spyderchick]

I think that fluid now qualifies as DOT NONE. If you aren't having fade issues with that fluid then fresh DOT 4 will definately work quite well for you.

Someone get into turn one with a camera so we can have photo evidence of the huge stoppie he'll be pulling because his brakes will actually work!

[EM JAY]

 

Someone get into turn one with a camera so we can have photo evidence of the huge stoppie he'll be pulling because his brakes will actually work!

  LOL!!  Yea that and I've got new pads also...  hmmm no wonder my times have dropped...  

[HAWK]

Hey EM JAY, you thought about maybe some wheels for the top of your helmet, at least till you get used to having brakes?

Yes Guy, I plan to have it up there but with the weather it may not see too much action, I don't have a set of rain wheels yet. I'm waiting to get the suspension back from Lithium/Suspension Solutions and want to run the SV with Rosno on Monday, a couple friends and I have him booked for a one to one VRU.

[spyderchick]

 
  LOL!!  Yea that and I've got new pads also...  hmmm no wonder my times have dropped...   

Amazing what bike maintenance can do for a racer's times, huh?