How can you tell what brake fluid has been used in your bike
 

I have to replace the front brake fluid reservoir. So how can you find out what brake fluid has been used before???

DOT 3,4,5 :?

Or do i have to change the fluid completely anyway ?

Many thanks

I'm not sure there is a way.. I'd replace it myself, but then I have a mate that I get it all cheap from.. :D

I would imagine its Dot 4, pretty much standard across the board but I don't know anyway of testing or checking ?

chanes are it wont be dot 5 this is synthetic and wont mix however there is a variant of this that is dot5.1 which does

but id just stick to the fact that motorbikes are dot 4 as per course unless you bought it of mr Real boy racer

who likes talking and fitting usless things to an otherwise reasonable vehicle then take it as its dot 4 ;)

I was under the impression that you shouldn't mix old with new - anyway, by the time you've bought a can, you might as well use it all :D

maybe they all taste different too

It should be Dot 4, I would flush it through and refill with new...better still stick some braided hoses on at the same time :lol:

:wink:

You could drain some off into a bowl and drop in some water, see what happens- Dot 5 won't mix with water, Dot 4 will. (I think :)) But by the time you've done that, you may as well drain, flush and fill. Buy small bottles! no point buying a big bottle of brake fluid if you're going to use half and then have to throw the rest away.

I will replace it.

Thanks everyone

Taste it. Dot 4 has a slight almondy taste to it, where as dot 3 and 5 taste horrible :wink: