How can you tell what brake fluid has been used in your bike - SV650.org

07-10-04, 09:36 AM

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

07-10-04, 09:40 AM

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..

07-10-04, 09:40 AM

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

07-10-04, 12:34 PM

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

07-10-04, 07:58 PM

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

07-10-04, 08:10 PM

maybe they all taste different too

07-10-04, 09:04 PM

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

northwind · 07-10-04, 09:59 PM

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.

08-10-04, 09:27 AM

I will replace it.

Thanks everyone

08-10-04, 10:41 AM

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

07-10-04, 09:36 AM	#1
SpankyHam Guest Posts: n/a	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

07-10-04, 09:59 PM	#8
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	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. __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

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07-10-04, 09:40 AM	#2
Grinch Guest Posts: n/a	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..

07-10-04, 09:40 AM	#3
Iansv Guest Posts: n/a	I would imagine its Dot 4, pretty much standard across the board but I don't know anyway of testing or checking ?

07-10-04, 12:34 PM	#4
Barty_b0y Guest Posts: n/a	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

07-10-04, 07:58 PM	#5
Mr Toad Guest Posts: n/a	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

07-10-04, 08:10 PM	#6
zx6man Guest Posts: n/a	maybe they all taste different too

07-10-04, 09:04 PM	#7
fraser01 Guest Posts: n/a	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

08-10-04, 09:27 AM	#9
SpankyHam Guest Posts: n/a	I will replace it. Thanks everyone

08-10-04, 10:41 AM	#10
Stig Guest Posts: n/a	Taste it. Dot 4 has a slight almondy taste to it, where as dot 3 and 5 taste horrible