DOT 3 DOT 4

[Surfdeneige]

Is it a major issue if you use dot 4 instead of the recommended dot 3 brake fluid in a standard z1000 setup?

[GUYZED]

I use dot 5 on my Z1000 saves the paint work.

[Surfdeneige]

Interesting reading

http://jimsgarage.wordpress.com/2007/01 ... and-dot-5/

[Garn 1]

Surfdeneige, good article/forum from "Jim's garage".
I have a friend that used Dot 5 in his '73 Z1, after overhauling and replacing all hydraulic components and has been riding the bike for the last 3 years, with good braking.

My question to the forum is ... Why don't all current Motor Cycle manufactures recommend Dot 5? After-all, is was an advancement to have a fluid that doesn't remove our precious paint. Wasn't it?
There is another Dot 5.1 ... How does this differ from dot 5?

Lastly, If you buy a brand new bike today (2009), what Dot fluid rating has it in the MC reservoir?

RegardZ.

[m1ks]

Quick bit of info.

DOT 3, 4, 5.1 fluid are all Glycol based, they are hygroscopic, will all act as a great paintstripper and all do well at being very incompressible.
The higher the DOT rating, the higher the boiling point, (hence high performance or racing applications using a higher DOT rating)

DOT 5 is Silicone based, non hygroscopic, will not strip paint, (wahey, so why aren't we all using it?), it's considerably more compressible than the others, this will basically result in a 'natural spongy pedal feel' (or lever of course in a bike environment).
It's all really down to whether the benefits outweigh the negative aspect of the lever travel and feel, if you can put up with it then go for it.

Incidentally, if anyone decides to go this route, unless your system has always run DOT 5 you MUST completely flush, strip, clean & replace all seals before refilling the system.
You can buy flushing fluid from brake and performance specialists.
DO NOT mix the different types

[Surfdeneige]

Mixing 3 and 4 wouldn't be a major issue though would it?

[Pigford]

Garn1 says:

Lastly, If you buy a brand new bike today (2009), what Dot fluid rating has it in the MC reservoir?

My 2004 Yam TTR600 is recommended to use DOT 4

[m1ks]

Technically mixing 3 and 4 or 4 and 5.1 shouldn't be a problem but for the amount and cost of a tub of fluid you'd be as well off bleeding through the whole system, otherwise mixing two will compromise the stated boiling points of the fluid, as they're hygroscopic they'll have some water in there anyway so if you're wanting to top up just do the whole thing.
The important thing is if you're changing to 5 then flush the whole system and change the seals for new, once in don't use any othe type.