Brake Fluid

How often do you change your brake fluid, and is it necessary?

Yes it is and I change every 2 yrs.

michael castrulli, Jul 31 2008, 07:56 PMHow often do you change your brake fluid, and is it necessary?

I heard that every two years is a good maximum interval, depending on the conditions where you store and ride your bike.
In areas with a lot of humidity and dampness, you might consider changing it every year. As you might know, brake fluid attracts moisture which can corrode parts of your brake system if you do not change it often enough. Do not be fooled by just the color of the fluid, cause the darker contaminated stuff can settle like thick sludge in areas lower/away from the inspection window of your brake reservoirs. Don't ask why I know! rolleyes.gif

Beck
95 VFR

Replace every two years or 12,000 miles. Whichever comes first.
Page 3-4 of the service manual has the maintenance schedule containing this information.
VFR Service Manual

michael castrulli, Jul 31 2008, 09:56 PMHow often do you change your brake fluid, and is it necessary?

within every 2 years.

Changing at some point is neccessary yes since brake fluid "ages". It may be perfectly allright for years and years longer if you ride like a fanny. But if you tend to use the brakes for what they are designed, brake hard, push it, you may end up with fading brakes when the moisture building up in the fluid causes the fluid to boil.

Dutchy, Jul 31 2008, 08:12 PM

michael castrulli, Jul 31 2008, 09:56 PMHow often do you change your brake fluid, and is it necessary?

within every 2 years.

Changing at some point is neccessary yes since brake fluid "ages". It may be perfectly allright for years and years longer if you ride like a fanny. But if you tend to use the brakes for what they are designed, brake hard, push it, you may end up with fading brakes when the moisture building up in the fluid causes the fluid to boil.

Uhhhh...how do you ride like a "fanny". Is that some kinda northern euro/Dutch adjective?? Is it something like a "Nancy boy" or "Fancy lad" rolleyes.gif
I have to know Dutchy, so I can make sure I don't ride like one! ohmy.gif rolleyes.gif

Beck
95 VFR

Twice a year. Yes you should change at least every 2 years.

Basically, brake fluid is hydroscopic. It attracts moisture and hold's it. Brake fluid has a higher boiling point than water. If you have water and it begins to boil, you will very little or probably no brakes. The fluid does break down over time and it is best for all the componets to have good fluid.

soichiro, Jul 31 2008, 04:56 PMTwice a year. Yes you should change at least every 2 years.

Basically, brake fluid is hydroscopic. It attracts moisture and hold's it. Brake fluid has a higher boiling point than water. If you have water and it begins to boil, you will very little or probably no brakes. The fluid does break down over time and it is best for all the componets to have good fluid.

Watered down fluid also has different pneumatic qualities than proper fluid, you'll get squishy or soft feeling before it'll boil. Either way, not good. How quickly water gets in depends on a lot of factors, but if you don't ever open up any of the components and expose them to air, every two years, or slightly longer, is perfectly reasonable.

Hmm....all this talk about brake fluid makes me think it may be time to change mine...

I've got 12,500 mi on her in the last 3 years...might just be time to bleed the brakes...

unsure.gif

VFRnGTP, Jul 31 2008, 05:40 PMHmm....all this talk about brake fluid makes me think it may be time to change mine...

I've got 12,500 mi on her in the last 3 years...might just be time to bleed the brakes...

unsure.gif

Flush it good. The fluid can break down and leave heavy spots or dirt. New fluid is good for all the seals in braking system. I reccomend honda brake fluid and buying an extra bottle to flush it good. Your brakes will feel better when you change the 3 year old fluid. It's also a good time to inspect the pads and entire braking system.

Anyone have a good 1-man bleeder thats available in the states? I bought my bike a few months ago with a frozen piston and after replacing the caliper I had no pressure or brakes so I tried to bleed the brakes by myself and although much better they are still mushy.

I use a Mity Vac. It's so easy with it.

http://files.kooybros.com/MityVac%20Fluid%...tor%2007400.jpg

VFRnGTP, Jul 31 2008, 02:40 PMHmm....all this talk about brake fluid makes me think it may be time to change mine...

I've got 12,500 mi on her in the last 3 years...might just be time to bleed the brakes...

unsure.gif

please buy the top brands/grades of DOT 4 (for my 5th gen) buy a gallon and store the rest at my house! so what day you coming over and what is the plan? i also have an extra set of HH pads. valve adjustment? oil and filter? rotate tires (on palomar!)

What clean fluid should look like...


http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.p...;hl=brake+fluid

Snafu, Jul 31 2008, 07:20 PMWhat clean fluid should look like...


http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.p...;hl=brake+fluid

Thats the clutch unsure.gif


biggrin.gif

rolleyes.gif biggrin.gif

Thanks for the information, I have 28,000 on my 1999 which I am the original owner and I have not change the fluid yet. I guess it is over due.

VFR FLYER, Jul 31 2008, 08:08 PMplease buy the top brands/grades of DOT 4 (for my 5th gen) buy a gallon and store the rest at my house! so what day you coming over and what is the plan? i also have an extra set of HH pads. valve adjustment? oil and filter? rotate tires (on palomar!)

You don't want to do that. Buy a bunch of small bottles as you need them, and only from stores that go through inventory quickly. As was stated earlier, the fluid is hydroscopic, so as the temps change near your shelf, moisture collects in the container, even if it's sealed. More so in a large container that isn't.

instead of changing your fluid at mileage intervals, change it according to the color of the fluid as shown in the sight glass of your master cylinders and in the reservoir at the rear brake. When new, it will be a yellowish clear color, once it turns amber/golden/light honey color, you should change it.

Make sure you keep plenty of rags and soapy water handy in case of a spill, the BF is nasty stuff and will discolor or eat paint off your bike very quickly!

SEBSPEED, Aug 1 2008, 02:43 PM

VFR FLYER, Jul 31 2008, 08:08 PMplease buy the top brands/grades of DOT 4 (for my 5th gen) buy a gallon and store the rest at my house! so what day you coming over and what is the plan? i also have an extra set of HH pads. valve adjustment? oil and filter? rotate tires (on palomar!)

You don't want to do that. Buy a bunch of small bottles as you need them, and only from stores that go through inventory quickly. As was stated earlier, the fluid is hydroscopic, so as the temps change near your shelf, moisture collects in the container, even if it's sealed. More so in a large container that isn't.

instead of changing your fluid at mileage intervals, change it according to the color of the fluid as shown in the sight glass of your master cylinders and in the reservoir at the rear brake. When new, it will be a yellowish clear color, once it turns amber/golden/light honey color, you should change it.

Some even recommend that once you open a bottle to use it all. It's not good to store the open bottle.

I buy the small honda bottles. It works out perfect.

If it's brown, flush it down.

SEBSPEED, Aug 1 2008, 01:43 PM

VFR FLYER, Jul 31 2008, 08:08 PMplease buy the top brands/grades of DOT 4 (for my 5th gen) buy a gallon and store the rest at my house! so what day you coming over and what is the plan? i also have an extra set of HH pads. valve adjustment? oil and filter? rotate tires (on palomar!)

You don't want to do that. Buy a bunch of small bottles as you need them, and only from stores that go through inventory quickly. As was stated earlier, the fluid is hydroscopic, so as the temps change near your shelf, moisture collects in the container, even if it's sealed. More so in a large container that isn't.

instead of changing your fluid at mileage intervals, change it according to the color of the fluid as shown in the sight glass of your master cylinders and in the reservoir at the rear brake. When new, it will be a yellowish clear color, once it turns amber/golden/light honey color, you should change it.

Seb...

I think he wants me to buy enough so we can flush the brakes on HIS bike too! cool.gif

Seb...

I think he wants me to buy enough so we can flush the brakes on HIS bike too! cool.gif
[/quote]

no, i have lots of containers of all the DOT #'S. DOT 1, DOT 2, ETC. it would appear that some of the older stuff will have to be heated to get it out of the container goofy.gif

Badazzteacher, Aug 1 2008, 05:18 PMIf it's brown, flush it down.

If it's yellow, let it mellow? LOL, funny movie!


Sorry, didn't catch the inside joke there. Still better to get small bottles, easier pouring, and you'kll hae something to put the old fluid in while you keep flushing. The Mityvac isn't big enough to flush a whole VFR system... rolleyes.gif

Which version of Mityvac do you guys use? There seem to be several different ones. Maybe post a pic or link? Thx.

soichiro, Aug 1 2008, 04:59 PM

SEBSPEED, Aug 1 2008, 02:43 PM

VFR FLYER, Jul 31 2008, 08:08 PMplease buy the top brands/grades of DOT 4 (for my 5th gen) buy a gallon and store the rest at my house! so what day you coming over and what is the plan? i also have an extra set of HH pads. valve adjustment? oil and filter? rotate tires (on palomar!)

Some even recommend that once you open a bottle to use it all. It's not good to store the open bottle. I buy the small honda bottles. It works out perfect.

+1 the idea is to keep water vapor out. a half-empty bottle sitting in your garage is not gong to do that. but perhaps i'm looking at this the wrong way. Maybe the bottle isn't half-empty but half-full...

Thanks for the mity vac recommendation. I bought the cheaper version for 40 bucks and it worked like a charm. Almost had to empty the jar twice to flush my system but was very easy to use and now I have nice firm brakes. Anyone not familiar just be sure to only open the bleeder nut 1/4 turn or less if just bleeding the air out.

checksix, Aug 2 2008, 12:07 PMWhich version of Mityvac do you guys use? There seem to be several different ones. Maybe post a pic or link? Thx.

It's funny. I have a mighty vac at home. A professional brake bleeder at work, Pnuematic.

I still prefer to bleed the brakes the old fashioned way. I feel I can get a better lever.

soichiro, Aug 2 2008, 07:45 PMIt's funny. I have a mighty vac at home. A professional brake bleeder at work, Pnuematic.

I still prefer to bleed the brakes the old fashioned way. I feel I can get a better lever.

+1, I use the Mityvac to flush, and get a helping hand for lever pumping duties when it's time to bleed.

Pretty timely thread, I just hit 12,000 miles on my '04 a couple days ago. Ordered a couple liters of ATE Super Blue brake fluid from through Amazon, I don't know where to find the stuff locally. I also ordered a bunch of brake bits for the front of my car, will use the ATE to flush that as well.

I assume the clutch fluid is a brake fluid as well? I figured on flushing both at the same time. Now that I think about it, I hope there's enough brake fluid in two liters to do both my car and bike!

pres589, Aug 3 2008, 10:59 AMPretty timely thread, I just hit 12,000 miles on my '04 a couple days ago. Ordered a couple liters of ATE Super Blue brake fluid from through Amazon, I don't know where to find the stuff locally. I also ordered a bunch of brake bits for the front of my car, will use the ATE to flush that as well.

I assume the clutch fluid is a brake fluid as well? I figured on flushing both at the same time. Now that I think about it, I hope there's enough brake fluid in two liters to do both my car and bike!

Yes the clutch takes the same fluid as the brakes.

pres589, Aug 3 2008, 10:59 AMPretty timely thread, I just hit 12,000 miles on my '04 a couple days ago. Ordered a couple liters of ATE Super Blue brake fluid from through Amazon, I don't know where to find the stuff locally. I also ordered a bunch of brake bits for the front of my car, will use the ATE to flush that as well.

I assume the clutch fluid is a brake fluid as well? I figured on flushing both at the same time. Now that I think about it, I hope there's enough brake fluid in two liters to do both my car and bike!

How much DOT 4 brake fluid did you use to do your brakes and your clutch?