Brake Fluid

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Brake Fluid

I was looking to top off my brake fluid and the little research I did (yesterday, on my phone) indicated you can't just "top off" your brake fluid, but rather you have to drain and replace the fluid every time.

Is that right? I've never drained, or even bled, brakes in my life. I'd rather just top it off if I can and wait for a service or something to have these things checked and filled.

Comments

Jim Nichols said…
Because for the last 100+ years everyone drains and replaces their brake fluid.....
I would believe that this is a sales pitch for brake fluid or a way of disclaimer for our litigious times....
Top your brake fluid off....
July 11, 2018 at 6:00 PM
mono m said…
how old is your bike??? maybe you are going to sell your bike and the next owner take care of that
July 11, 2018 at 6:12 PM
mono m said…
+Jason ON, I bought and old Kawasaki Klr 1997 and that happend when never drain & replace brake fluid
https://plus.google.com/photos/...
July 11, 2018 at 6:18 PM
John Lintner said…
Brake fluid is hydroscpoic, meaning it absorbs moisture/water. Over time, the brake fluid in your lines will get less effective, and should be "changed" on a regular basis (the typical frequency is every two years; I did that on my BMW and never had clutch or brake fluid issues over 165k miles and 15 years). That being said, topping it off with fresh fluid is better than not topping it off at all but you should have it flushed every couple of years. You will also want to use a 'freshly' opened container of fluid when you do the service.
July 11, 2018 at 6:29 PM
Jason ON said…
I wonder if I should try "flushing" then. I was just reading on the SV forums (anyone remember forums?) about it not being that difficult and just to be smarter than the equipment you're working with, so flushing might be what's called for. Especially since I can't remember it ever having been done before.

I am such a horrible motorcycle owner.
July 11, 2018 at 6:41 PM
Kenneth Thompson said…
No, you're getting education for free, Jason ON

In your environment (wet, humid), best to know that the fluid is going to do the job every time you squeeze the brakes.
July 11, 2018 at 7:13 PM
mono m said…
Jason ON I was talking about brake fluid!! google translate don't help me with my english xD
July 11, 2018 at 7:15 PM
Jason ON said…
Kenneth Thompson I'm in Denver. While it may be more humid than AZ, it is by no means "wet and humid" here.
July 11, 2018 at 7:18 PM
Jim Nichols said…
Jason ON back flushing is easiest on a small system like motorcycle.....empty the reservoir... (I use a turkey baster).... wipe it out with a lint free cloth .... maybe a tiny squirt of brake cleaner on it to get the grunge..... LEAVE IT EMPTY... take a large syringe put a piece of aquarium line on it that fits the bleeder on the caliper snugly.... suck brake fluid up into syringe.... attach hose to bleeder then open the bleeder... (break ot loose first, they are usually 8 mm) use the syringe to push brake fluid up into the system .... first time the reservoir fills suck it out with the turkey baster..... close bleeder ..... fill syringe and repeat till you are satisfied with the color of the brake fluid.... that cleans the caliper.... line and fills the resivoir without the need to bleed the system.....
July 11, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Kevin Jones said…
Always topped up Jason
July 11, 2018 at 11:44 PM
Jason ON said…
On a side note, I'm glad to see discussion happening. I should post more "I'm an idiot" things. ;)
July 12, 2018 at 10:47 AM
Kenneth Thompson said…
Jason ON For some of old guys, we've paid money over the years to learn some of these things. They're offered freely to others...no need to pay again, right?

I've got a project next week; changing a tire on a rim. Don't feel like spending another $50 to do an off-bike task. I'll post up something when I do it.
July 12, 2018 at 11:40 AM
Jim Nichols said…
Kenneth Thompson Amen brother.... the money I don't mind as much as the blood sacrifice (my own) to learn..... worked on everything from airplanes to locomotives.... for 50 years now.
July 12, 2018 at 4:53 PM
Joerg “TJ” Wenzel said…
To avoid the hygroscopic effect, just change to a DOT 5 fluid. Never ever need to be replaced on motorcycle in NORMAL use. Racer are different. I think I remember that DOT 5 fluid is Silikon based. And normally they work on the hydraulic clutch too.
July 13, 2018 at 7:50 AM
Kenneth Thompson said…
Jason ON Oops on my part:

The average annual percentage of humidity in Denver is: 37.0%
The average annual percentage of humidity in Tucson is: 38.0%
Source: https://weather-and-climate.com

Every two-ish years - brake and clutch fluid replaced. Clutch is easy. The brakes, because they are a linked system, are a royal pain in the ass.
July 13, 2018 at 5:04 PM
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