DOT4 Brake fluid

[tmsz]

I need to replace brake pads in my 2000 Katana 600 and as per recommendations I was looking for DOT4 Brake fuid at the local automotive stores. The only thing that I could find is DOT3 and DOT5. There is a product made by Valvoline and Castrol which states "exceeds DOT3 and 4", however I'm not sure if they are ok to mix with what's currently on the bike. I was hoping to get this without going to the dealer but so far no luck. Any advice would be appreciated.

Also since I was there I asked about a price for an oil filter for the bike. They actually had one in stock and it was only $6.90. That beats the hell out of the $21.99(OEM) for what I paid at the suzuki dealer.

[KatDan]

i *think* dot 4 and 5 will mix, but verify with the manufacturer before using it. i got some dot 4 at a local Main Auto Parts store but i don't know if the discount places will carry it. good price on the oil filter, just hope it wasn't a Fram.

[Anonymous]

If your manual specified DOT 4 then you have to use DOT 4

4: Glycol
5: Sillicone (as is breasts!)

They both have different boiling temps obviously...and would behave differently at the caliper

[ThAzKat]

As kickit said you can't mix 4 with 5, there is a 5.1, I think it is, 5 is used on HD's. DOT 4 is your best bet.

[The CyberPoet]

This is one of those topics covered in great detail in my upcoming book.

Quickly for you:
If it says "exceeds DOT 3 and DOT 4" spec, and is not labeled as DOT 5 fluid, it will meet your needs. DOT 3 and DOT 4 use the same basic chemistry with different boiling points (DOT 4 has the higher boiling point, which is why it's important you use DOT 4). DOT 5 fluid, on the other hand, can not absorb water and is thus unsuitable for all motorcycles using standard brake lines (and other vehicles that use rubber-based brake lines). Finally, DOT 5.1 is compatible and has yet a higher boiling point than DOT 4, but is horridly expensive and extremely hygroscopic (draws in water very rapidly) and thus should be reserved for racing purposes where the fluid gets changed after each day at the track.

Look for Castrol GT LMA, or the back-up Valvoline Synth Power brake fluids. Both exceed DOT 4 requirements (while being fully compatible with DOT 4 fluids). They may be labeled as exceeding DOT 3 and DOT 4, but are considered DOT4 fluids officially. Both are also crystal clear, making it easy to spot contamination, water content and when you've sucessfully flushed the brake system.

KNOW THIS:
DOT 5 is silicone based. It will not mix with your brake fluid and is NOT suitable for any motorcycle.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[ThAzKat]

DOT 5 is used on late model HD's, when you walk by one during the time the hog boys say something about your crotch rocket lol, look at the master cylinder cap, it says dot5. now that is cleared up. Use dot 4 unless you want to race, if that is the case use 5.1

[The CyberPoet]

DOT 5 is used on late model HD's...

Really? Whoa... I learn something new everyday.
I would think they would use DOT 5.1 possibly, but not DOT 5...

hmmmm.
=-= The CyberPoet

[ThAzKat]

They purposely specify not to mix with 3or 4 due to the sylicone base.

[The CyberPoet]

They purposely specify not to mix with 3or 4 due to the sylicone base.

With the tip about HD using DOT 5, I went off on a tangent to what I was doing to find some more info... and stumbled across this great read-me (especially the issue about Europeans confusing DOT 5 and DOT 5.1 since DOT 5.1 is marketed as DOT 5 since they don't use silicone based fluids there):
http://www.belray.com/consumer/Q&A%20pages/q&abf.html

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[ThAzKat]

All yeah I didn't mention that dot5 is purple. On a HD you can not tell that it is mushy unless you have a hard stop. WOW Cyber, I thought you were going to find something that was going to show the opposite of what I was saying. just kidding, forgive the sarcasticness.

[The CyberPoet]

All yeah I didn't mention that dot5 is purple. On a HD you can not tell that it is mushy unless you have a hard stop. WOW Cyber, I thought you were going to find something that was going to show the opposite of what I was saying. just kidding, forgive the sarcasticness.

I so rarely deal with HD's that I will confess high degrees of ignorance concerning them beyond knowing that they aren't for me at & up to this point in my life.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[ThAzKat]

All yeah, I only work on them for the money. lol
The easiest bike out there to work on. Electrically there are a total of 7 different wires.

[The CyberPoet]

All yeah, I only work on them for the money. lol
The easiest bike out there to work on. Electrically there are a total of 7 different wires.

Q: How do you know an HD is out of oil?
A: It stops leaking.

Q: Why do you only see ape-hangers on HD's and the derrivatives?
A: Because everyone else knows the Karate Kid "Crane" position went out 20 minutes after the movie was released.

Q: What's the difference between a HD and a vibrator?
A: $15k and the size of the battery.

Q: How can you tell a Harley rider when you can only see his bedroom?
A: 18 three-piece suits in dry cleaning bags, and one set of stinky leather chaps.

Just teasing...
Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[ThAzKat]

Those are great and I am on a Kat site. lol
I joke with the HD boys that I know about not being able to buy a HD engine for the price I paid for my whole Kat. lol I have been lucky, I guess and haven't had rice thrown under my bike yet.

[WildKat]

Just get the pretty blue brake fluid..its neato!!