Reason to change brake fluid

Hillhouse · 02-07-2018, 05:27 PM

So the following is from another forum and motorcycle company but points to why you should change your brake fluid, along with your clutch fluid.

From CNET:

Harley-Davidson is recalling nearly 175,000 motorcycles <https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/motorcycles/> over fears of brake failure.
The campaign covers all anti-lock brake-equipped Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles made during the 2008 through 2011 model years. Over 30 different models with ABS are affected, include the Road King, Road Glide, Electra Glide and Street Glide. Some police-spec models are also included in the campaign.

Apparently, a failure to flush brake fluid in accordance with the recommended two-year maintenance schedule may result in a valve within the ABS hydraulic control unit becoming impaired by deposits. Such deposits could lead to malfunctioning brakes, including failure.

**smokier** · 02-07-2018, 06:19 PM

**ringadingh** · 02-08-2018, 10:02 AM

I like to change it every two or three seasons, and after a few years its good to change out the rubber hoses as well.

**GIBBY** · 02-08-2018, 10:54 AM

I change my brake fluid every year and my bike came with stainless braided lines.

dhuttonkc · 02-08-2018, 11:22 AM

Don't let "stainless" brake lines lull you into a false sense of security. They are still lined with a flexible (EPDM or TPFE teflon in many cases) material which will degrade over time. Especially when a "non-spec" brake fluid is used.

The "stainless braid" is there to look pretty and to reduce any chafing, bulging or swelling of the inner liner when the clutch or brake system is compressed. The downside to "stainless braid" is that there is no way to inspect the hose or check for sponginess or signs that the core has degraded. Some "stainless" lines are fake, using colored PVC braids (silver) covered in clear PVC, just sayin.

This is the same issue that the "silicone" hoses have. Many are not silicone construction thru. That would nearly triple their cost of materials, as it does on intercoolers under the hood. Many of the pretty colorful "silicone hoses" still cover a traditional material rad or engine cooling hose. Otherwise you get a dull black EPDM color.

02-07-2018, 05:27 PM	#1
Hillhouse Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Western MA Posts: 180	Reason to change brake fluid So the following is from another forum and motorcycle company but points to why you should change your brake fluid, along with your clutch fluid. From CNET: Harley-Davidson is recalling nearly 175,000 motorcycles <https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/motorcycles/> over fears of brake failure. The campaign covers all anti-lock brake-equipped Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles made during the 2008 through 2011 model years. Over 30 different models with ABS are affected, include the Road King, Road Glide, Electra Glide and Street Glide. Some police-spec models are also included in the campaign. Apparently, a failure to flush brake fluid in accordance with the recommended two-year maintenance schedule may result in a valve within the ABS hydraulic control unit becoming impaired by deposits. Such deposits could lead to malfunctioning brakes, including failure. __________________ Present rides 1983 Honda Shadow VT750 - Harley Killer 2005 Yamahe V-Star - Yarley 2012 Kawasaki Voyager - Weeping Angel http://tourofhonor.com/ #97 (2019) #128 (2018) #8 (2017) #458 (2016) IBA #50918 VBA #2296 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-07-2018, 06:19 PM	#2
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	Amen to that.
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02-08-2018, 10:02 AM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I like to change it every two or three seasons, and after a few years its good to change out the rubber hoses as well. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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02-08-2018, 10:54 AM	#4
GIBBY Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Osceola,WI Posts: 3,083	I change my brake fluid every year and my bike came with stainless braided lines. __________________ Mike "GIBBY" Gibson Osceola, WI VBA # 1279 2011 National Rally 2012 NCR Rally 2012 Antlers Rally 2013 National Rally 2013 Antlers Rally 2014 NC/SC Rally 2014 Antlers Rally 2015 VRA/VBA Rally 2016 NCR Rally 2016 Antlers Rally 2017 Antlers Rally 2018 NC/SC Rally 2018 Antlers Rally 2019 Antlers Rally 2020 Antlers Rally 2022 Antlers Rally 2023 Antlers Rally 2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited 2022 Indian Roadmaster
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02-08-2018, 11:22 AM	#5
dhuttonkc Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 157	Don't let "stainless" brake lines lull you into a false sense of security. They are still lined with a flexible (EPDM or TPFE teflon in many cases) material which will degrade over time. Especially when a "non-spec" brake fluid is used. The "stainless braid" is there to look pretty and to reduce any chafing, bulging or swelling of the inner liner when the clutch or brake system is compressed. The downside to "stainless braid" is that there is no way to inspect the hose or check for sponginess or signs that the core has degraded. Some "stainless" lines are fake, using colored PVC braids (silver) covered in clear PVC, just sayin. This is the same issue that the "silicone" hoses have. Many are not silicone construction thru. That would nearly triple their cost of materials, as it does on intercoolers under the hood. Many of the pretty colorful "silicone hoses" still cover a traditional material rad or engine cooling hose. Otherwise you get a dull black EPDM color. __________________ Don H Kansas City, MO area Login or Register to Remove Ads
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