green brake fluid

[Curtis_Valk]

might not hurt the seals, but what about the piston in the mast cylendar and the caliper? i've changed many of rusted calipers on vehicles due to water contamination, and i don't think you can compress water like that either.. dunno, but i'd stay away from the h20 method and call AAA.

The one component necessary for water to damage the system is TIME.  If you use the water method Charles suggested to get you home and then flush the system, no harm will come.

Curtis

[roboto65]

DOT 5 something (the racing stuff that is not compatible, it's either 5.0 or 5.1 ......it escapes my mind right now).

DOT 5 is silicone it has a higher boiling temp for racing and also it does not absorb water like the other stuff it can be used in our systems however like Curtis said it is not compatible with 3or4 and another good thing is it will not strip your bike of the paint if you happen to drip some on and not catch it !!!

[Charles S Otwell]

I tore the whole system down and there was no green in the rest of the system, as a matter of fact the fluid looked like it never got out of the master cylinder. When I mixed the green fluid from the mastercylinder with the brake fluid from the line and caliper it wouldn't even mix. The brake fluid lay in the bottom like water in oil. I'm flushing everything and replacing all the seals. There is no telling what was put in the mastercylinder but it was wrong ,whatever it was!!

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

And you know this why, Allen?

[hootmon]

And you know this why, Allen?

I heard, in a pinch, he was using DOT 5 in his Chain luber..     

[roboto65]

Well I know this because I have converted a few british cars to DOT5 it can be done in all our bikes!!!!

Here is a little reading
DOT 5 is one of several designations of automotive brake fluid, denoting a particular mixture of chemicals imparting specified ranges of boiling point.

DOT 5 is a silicone-based brake fluid. It is NOT compatible with any polyethylene glycol based fluids. Mixing DOT 5 with other types of brake fluids will start a chemical reaction that will cause solids to precipitate out of the mixture and inhibit proper brake system function. Use DOT 5.1 safely to mix with other fluids however. Also check manufacturers handbooks/manuals carefully before changing brake fluid specifications in CITROEN vehicles.

Unlike polyethylene glycol based fluids, it is not hygroscopic, however this means that instead of being dissolved, any water in the system will eventually find its way to the lowest point in the brake line, corroding it, and potentially boiling and causing brake failure. Since it does not attract moisture, there is no way this will occur unless you are careless in cleaning out of the old fluid. Its major advantage over other forms of brake fluid is silicone will exhibit a more stable viscosity index in extreme temperatures, which is why the US Army likes silicone fluids. It is widely used in the antique automobile arena as well as it will not damage paint. From a lubrication standpoint, there is no appreciable difference.

If you do decide to make this switch, be careful. You will have to completely flush you entire brake system of the DOT 3/4 before filling with DOT 5. Flushing with mineral spirits is enough to cause a complete system failure in a short time. In fact the introduction of any petroleum based products such as motor oil, power steering fluid, mineral oil (baby oil) even in small quantities will cause failure. The only way to properly flush this is with a brake cleaner that does not leave a residue.

In order to flush the system properly, every component must be removed and cleaned individually, then lubricated with the new DOT 5 and reassembled. You will also need to check with the manufacturer of your vehicle to see if this voids your warranty. This is the perfect time to see if any parts are worn and replace them accordingly. If done properly and no moisture is introduced into the system, you will not have to replace the internal components of your system again.

A note on DOT 3/4/5.1. The worst thing for your system is moisture, and dot 3 or 4 or 5.1 attract this. They have inhibitors which turn the fluid golden[citation needed] and then to a light brown[citation needed] before they are used up and the fluid needs to be flushed. The fluid should be checked for color and if it's darker than honey[citation needed], flushed and replaced. If it's black you really need to do a complete teardown of the system and see what has corroded and replace it before continuing

[Curtis_Valk]

That is a very accurate and complete write up on DOT 5, thanks Allen!!

Here is the part I disagree with though:

Since it does not attract moisture, there is no way this will occur unless you are careless in cleaning out of the old fluid.

Your brake system is exposed to the elements and no matter how good your seals are moisture will enter the system over time whether the fluid "attracts" it or not.  Unless you are the personality type that is very studious in changing out brake fluid, I would NOT recommend DOT 5.

DOT 3 (for cars) and DOT 4 are much better choices since they hold moisture in suspension where it is relatively harmless.  In other words, the DOT 5 is much less forgiving.  Change your DOT 4 every two or three years or more often if you prefer and you will be in good shape.  Try that with DOT 5 and unless you live and ride only in a desert I can almost guarantee you'll get pooling of water and corrosion of expensive parts.

The reason DOT 5 is desirable for racing is the extreme temperatures that are generated by a braking system that is continually used without any time to cool down.  Of course you know that if your brake fluid boils it will have the same effect as air in the system (no brakes).  With any hygroscopic fluid, the presence of moisture will lower the boiling point of the fluid.  I assume that is the reason DOT 5 is made to be non-hygroscopic.

In short I consider DOT 5 unsuitable and unnecessary for street applications.  Of course that is my opinion so feel free to disregard.

Curtis

Curtis

[TLRam1]

Curtis,

Are the dyna beads all the same size and can you measure and give my sizing.

[Curtis_Valk]

It was quite a chore to measure all 7824 of them but yeah, they're all the same size within the tolerance of my 40 year old micrometer.

For the number of ounces to put in specific size tires go to http://www.innovativebalancing.com/tirechartmap.htm and click on the Magna.  That will take you to the charts for motorcycles.

Wait ............you were kidding about measuring them weren't you?  Rats!!

Curtis

[Smoked U]

That is a very accurate and complete write up on DOT 5, thanks Allen!!

Here is the part I disagree with though:

Since it does not attract moisture, there is no way this will occur unless you are careless in cleaning out of the old fluid.

Your brake system is exposed to the elements and no matter how good your seals are moisture will enter the system over time whether the fluid "attracts" it or not.  Unless you are the personality type that is very studious in changing out brake fluid, I would NOT recommend DOT 5.

DOT 3 (for cars) and DOT 4 are much better choices since they hold moisture in suspension where it is relatively harmless.  In other words, the DOT 5 is much less forgiving.  Change your DOT 4 every two or three years or more often if you prefer and you will be in good shape.  Try that with DOT 5 and unless you live and ride only in a desert I can almost guarantee you'll get pooling of water and corrosion of expensive parts.

The reason DOT 5 is desirable for racing is the extreme temperatures that are generated by a braking system that is continually used without any time to cool down.  Of course you know that if your brake fluid boils it will have the same effect as air in the system (no brakes).  With any hygroscopic fluid, the presence of moisture will lower the boiling point of the fluid.  I assume that is the reason DOT 5 is made to be non-hygroscopic.

In short I consider DOT 5 unsuitable and unnecessary for street applications.  Of course that is my opinion so feel free to disregard.

Curtis

Curtis

According to my readings, I agree with this logic as well.

[TLRam1]

Wait ............you were kidding about measuring them weren't you?  Rats!!

Curtis

Not hardly.  I am looking into finding ceramic beads of the same size, cept I need the size first! I found some but they where within say 2-4mm's, I need to narrow this down. 

[roboto65]

Terry are you cheaping out on 10 bucks 

[lragan]

Yeah, and just a few posts earlier, you promised not to do this!!

You planning to buy 'em by the barrel??

[TLRam1]

Yeah, and just a few posts earlier, you promised not to do this!!

You planning to buy 'em by the barrel??

Promised not to do what, sell poor quality stuff, still with ya there, that's what the legwork is for.   

If I can locate a source, Lawrence has it right - I would like to buy in bulk. I look into many products, some things pan out while others do not.

[lragan]

Cool.  Hope you can find a way to lower costs without sacrificing quality.  I was just tweaking you a bit, Terry.  I think it is exciting that you are starting this business, and wish you well in it.

P.S.  No blue bulbs!!