DOT5 Brake Fluid

Can I use DOT5 brake fluid in my old twin? I really like the idea of it not ruining my brand new paint.

If you completely re build your system and only use DOT 5. Some bake systems need specific components for it, at least for power bake cars, idk if you could get away with just rebuilt brakes on a cycle.

A full teardown and rebuild will be needed, including replacing the lines.

Unless you are racing, and changing fluid all the time, stick with 3 or 4. They prevent water from collecting by absorbing and dispersing it. Dot 5 allows water to pool because it won't absorb it.

I have been using DOT 5 for well over 30 years! For the paint reason.
Yes you have to clean the whole system out first. I never got brakes hot enough to create moisture. Silicone fluid does not absorb moisture.
I have this in my old FLH. (picture) I can take the cap off today and the 16 year old fluid is still purple! NO moisture in there.
Painted the master cyl. with black single tage urethane in 1999. Paint looks like fresh paint as I did it today.
And I am getting back to the Kaw project, I just cleared my glass beaded aluminum., with clear urethane. And when it's put together, I am using DOT 5 also.
BUT! cheap, JUNK "K&L and EMGO" rubber & seal rebuild products suck! Fluid might swell them?
Stick with OEM Kawasaki rubber parts.
I know what I have, and will use it.

Man, that is one CLEAN Harley!! Very nice! Ed

Thanks everybody. Ive got all new s/s lines from Speigler a new aftermarket front master cylinder and rebuilt calipers all around with kits from powerhouse-uk (they claim to be high end, alas Kawasaki no longer makes caliper rebuild kits for my scooter). Now if I can find a rebuild kit or an aftermarket rear master cylinder sounds like DOT5 would be good even though I'm not racing but I want to protect my paint.

Anyone know if a rear m/c from a KZ1000 will work on my 750 B1? They look the same to me and I think I can get a rebuild or aftermarket one for a KZ1000.

You might want to do some reading about DOT 5 to learn about the pros and cons. There are cons. From what I 've heard the lever has a more spongy feel, and any water that enters the system will settle down into your calipers, since they are at the lowest point in the system. The brake fluid may look nice and clean but there could be a collection in the calipers causing corrosion you don't even know about.

Bowman wrote: Thanks everybody. Ive got all new s/s lines from Speigler a new aftermarket front master cylinder and rebuilt calipers all around with kits from powerhouse-uk (they claim to be high end, alas Kawasaki no longer makes caliper rebuild kits for my scooter). Now if I can find a rebuild kit or an aftermarket rear master cylinder sounds like DOT5 would be good even though I'm not racing but I want to protect my paint.

Anyone know if a rear m/c from a KZ1000 will work on my 750 B1? They look the same to me and I think I can get a rebuild or aftermarket one for a KZ1000.

No, they have different part #'s, whats wrong with yours? if the bore isn't pitted you can just replace the primary cup & the piston assembly , spring & the boot if it 'has cracks or is ripped & you're good to go, those parts are used on about 30 different masters
Pete

Nessism wrote: You might want to do some reading about DOT 5 to learn about the pros and cons. There are cons. From what I 've heard the lever has a more spongy feel, and any water that enters the system will settle down into your calipers, since they are at the lowest point in the system. The brake fluid may look nice and clean but there could be a collection in the calipers causing corrosion you don't even know about.

I'll surely do some more reading before I try it out on the road. The last thing I need is a tombstone saying "He thought it was a good idea to save money or time on his brakes".

pete greek1 wrote: No, they have different part #'s, whats wrong with yours? if the bore isn't pitted you can just replace the primary cup & the piston assembly , spring & the boot if it 'has cracks or is ripped & you're good to go, those parts are used on about 30 different masters
Pete

Whats wrong with my rear m/c assembly is it was leaking brake fluid on to the swing arm. Not enough to make the brake not work but still, the paint thing. When I look at Partzilla I see the assembly is only good for the 750 B1-B4 and of course they are obsolete anyway. The individual internal bits you mention though are interchangable among models as far as I can see. Ideally I'd just as soon toss the old m/c assembly and buy a new aftermarket one or a NOS from a KZ1000 or a 650 or a 750 four if such a thing could be bolted on.

A lot of bike racers use DOT-5 because it has a higher boiling point than DOT 3 or 4, but that really doesn't make a difference in street use since the brakes aren't being pushed really hard over an extended period. However, racers change their brake fluid very often, so the fact that DOT-5 is not hygroscopic doesn't affect them much at all. Being hygroscopic means water is not absorbed and distributed throughout the brake fluid, but that can be a good or bad thing. Moisture will make its way into the bike's brake system because the brake system is vented to the outside air. With DOT-3 or4 brake fluid that moisture is absorbed by the brake fluid and distributed throughout the fluid. That sounds bad, but it actually can be a blessing in disguise since the moisture doesn't collect in one area. With DOT-5 fluid the moisture is not absorbed or distributed throughout the brake fluid, but like it or not, it still makes its way into the brake system. When that happens, it forms "puddles" of water in the lowest part of the brake system. This isn't necessarily a big deal if you live in an arid climate or if you change the brake fluid on a regular basis, but if you don't live in an arid climate and you neglect changing your brake fluid those puddles can cause corrosion and/or rust in the brake system. Also, NEVER use DOT-5 in a brake system that has ABS as doing so will cause the ABS not to operate properly - see www.motorweek.org/features/goss_garage/brake_fluids_and_abs . Ed