Brake fluid

Doing some research now as I'm about to replace my brake lines with Goodrdge braided ss item and think I may well stick with a quality DOT4 having read this:


Quote:
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOT 5 AND DOT 5.1 BRAKE FLUID?
DOT 5 is a silicone based synthetic fluid originally designed for use in military and government vehicles where regular maintenance could be problematic. Although not hygroscopic in the traditional sense, water molecules will still find their way into your hydraulics creating globules rather than being suspended as with traditional DOT 3/4 & 5.1 fluids…the end result is the same: contamination. DOT 5 Silicone was never intended for serious high performance application. Harley Davidson uses it I suspect because it won't ruin your paint if you're all thumbs and miss the toilet a lot. Interesting aside; HD's sporting wing; Buell, has switched to a higher performance DOT 4 in all their 2000 models. DOT 5.1, albeit confusing in designation (thank the D.O.T. for that), is effectively a lighter viscosity synthetic poly glycol fluid with DOT 4 performance parameters. It was developed for use in mechanical ABS systems that require a higher cyclic rate capability.



...and from Motul:

Quote:
The DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid is essentially intended for ABS braking systems that require an increased fluidity



Reference:

http://www.intelab.com/swem/Amazoni...ake%20Fluid.htm

http://www.swedishbricks.net/700900...0Comparison.htm


NOTE: Do not confuse DOT5 and DOT5.1

Quote:
First of all: DOT5.1 is NOT a further development of the Silicon DOT5 fluid as the nomenclature would suggest. It is in fact of the same formulation and so compatible with DOT4, and not DOT5. Do not mix the two! You can thank the idiots at the DOT for that!

Originally Posted by BigApe

Dot 4 is the standard fluid used. Personally I wouldn't use anything else.

Ah yes... Blond moment, methinks!!

I meant to say DOT4 & DOT5... Oops!!

Thanks for all the help and advice dudes! Got the braided lines fitted, and some luvverly fresh DOT 5.1 fluid. They still look like there is too much slack, compared to the Goodridge lines on the other-halfs TLR, but I'm happy enough.

[northwind]

Hmm... HEL dsid have a terrible rep for getting orders wrong- they mucked mine up among plenty of others. But the product's first class. Did you go with a 3 line front or a 2? My 2-line is slightly longer than the stock hose, but then the hoss are less flexible so that could be why.

Originally Posted by northwind

Hmm... HEL dsid have a terrible rep for getting orders wrong- they mucked mine up among plenty of others. But the product's first class. Did you go with a 3 line front or a 2? My 2-line is slightly longer than the stock hose, but then the hoss are less flexible so that could be why.

Went with the 2-line front, and they just seemed to be a bit toooo long, although not excessively. I checked the box and they had definitely sent me the SV K1 hoses. I do wish though that I had gone for ones with swivel banjos, as it was a bit of a b*gger to twist and secure them in place with the way they had positioned the banjos.