LCGB Forums

The ability to post messages is restricted to LCGB members. Any questions contact us at lcgbadmin@googlemail.com

Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Technical help for Series one, two and three Lambrettas. Models include the Li, Li Special, TV, SX, GP, Serveta and API/SIL models

Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Granty » Sun Nov 22, 2015 7:22 pm

Guys -- need to strip my outboard disc brake, is Dot 4 Fluid the fluid you use?
Granty
 
Posts: 256
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:11 pm

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby coaster » Mon Nov 23, 2015 8:38 am

DOT 4 minimum but use silicone fluid in preference over the cheaper glycol based stuff. Silicone won't absorb water and won't damage your paintwork if spilt.
User avatar
coaster
 
Posts: 2647
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: Norfolk, Flying 8 Balls

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby drivera » Mon Nov 23, 2015 9:09 am

coaster wrote:DOT 4 minimum but use silicone fluid in preference over the cheaper glycol based stuff. Silicone won't absorb water and won't damage your paintwork if spilt.

As coaster says beware if using it , I spilt some on newly powder coated forks and the powder coating bubbled up a treat :(
drivera
 
Posts: 219
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 7:29 pm
Location: East Yorkshire

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Granty » Mon Nov 23, 2015 3:08 pm

Perfect Troops -- thanks for that, I'm going to try the reverse bleed method too to see how I get on before I then take it down to the bike shop to get them done properly :D
Granty
 
Posts: 256
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:11 pm

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Toddy » Mon Nov 23, 2015 5:01 pm

Reverse Method is best through Bleed nipple with a syringe
User avatar
Toddy
 
Posts: 9708
Joined: Tue May 13, 2014 9:58 pm
Location: East Yorkshire

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Granty » Mon Nov 23, 2015 8:26 pm

Cheers Toddy, got my syringe and tube ordered today,ill report back if I actually make to do it. Hahaha
Granty
 
Posts: 256
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:11 pm

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Toddy » Mon Nov 23, 2015 8:45 pm

Granty wrote:Cheers Toddy, got my syringe and tube ordered today,ill report back if I actually make to do it. Hahaha


It's the best way it forces the air upwards out of the calliper just be careful when you hear it coming into the master cylinder it sometimes sprays out :o
User avatar
Toddy
 
Posts: 9708
Joined: Tue May 13, 2014 9:58 pm
Location: East Yorkshire

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby coaster » Tue Nov 24, 2015 1:29 am

Toddy wrote:
Granty wrote:Cheers Toddy, got my syringe and tube ordered today,ill report back if I actually make to do it. Hahaha


It's the best way it forces the air upwards out of the calliper just be careful when you hear it coming into the master cylinder it sometimes sprays out :o


:? I did mine with a syringe but used it to suck the fluid down from the master cylinder...worked a treat 8-)
User avatar
coaster
 
Posts: 2647
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: Norfolk, Flying 8 Balls

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Wack » Tue Nov 24, 2015 6:34 pm

I've often thought of trying Dot 5 but most master cylinders have a warning to use Dot 4 only. I'm sure I read somewhere that the seals can be damaged with the wrong fluid?
Wack
 
Posts: 730
Joined: Sat May 31, 2014 7:11 pm

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby coaster » Wed Nov 25, 2015 12:57 am

Wack wrote:I've often thought of trying Dot 5 but most master cylinders have a warning to use Dot 4 only. I'm sure I read somewhere that the seals can be damaged with the wrong fluid?


I've had it in the Nissin Master Cylinder on my scoot for about 5 years now without issue. I've had Nissin and SIP callipers fitted during that time too.
User avatar
coaster
 
Posts: 2647
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: Norfolk, Flying 8 Balls

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Wack » Wed Nov 25, 2015 7:16 pm

Sounds good :)
Wack
 
Posts: 730
Joined: Sat May 31, 2014 7:11 pm

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby bike grim » Wed Nov 25, 2015 8:20 pm

Isn't it 4 and 5.1 are Ok to use and the difference is to do with boiling points. Dot 5 is silicone I believe and that's why you don't mix with the others. I could be wrong so hopefully a grown up will be along soon.
User avatar
bike grim
 
Posts: 737
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:51 pm

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Adam_Winstone » Wed Nov 25, 2015 10:46 pm

The silicon stuff is excellent and if, like me, you end up splashing the damned stuff everywhere whilst trying to bleed it, you'll be VERY glad of it not stripping paint! Harley Davidsons specify it for their bikes, which gives you a few extra outlets for the stuff as Harleys are pretty popular these days. I also like the funny looks that the staff give you when you tell them what it is for :lol:

Adam
Adam_Winstone
 
Posts: 1079
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2014 1:52 pm

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Toddy » Wed Nov 25, 2015 10:49 pm

Adam_Winstone wrote:The silicon stuff is excellent and if, like me, you end up splashing the damned stuff everywhere whilst trying to bleed it, you'll be VERY glad of it not stripping paint! Harley Davidsons specify it for their bikes, which gives you a few extra outlets for the stuff as Harleys are pretty popular these days. I also like the funny looks that the staff give you when you tell them what it is for :lol:

Adam


Can you buy it online Adam ? ( any links) we don't have any Harley dealers round here will it be used in reliant robins ;)
User avatar
Toddy
 
Posts: 9708
Joined: Tue May 13, 2014 9:58 pm
Location: East Yorkshire

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Adam_Winstone » Wed Nov 25, 2015 11:00 pm

The Harley site is down at the moment but the following link might show you the image of what you're after:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=harle ... JDSIeIM%3A
Adam_Winstone
 
Posts: 1079
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2014 1:52 pm

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Adam_Winstone » Wed Nov 25, 2015 11:02 pm

Dot 5 silicon fluid is the stuff that Dave Webster used to specify for his hydraulic front disc brakes, which was good enough for me. Apparently, DOT 5 is less likely to cause the seals to swell and result in the brake binding.
Adam_Winstone
 
Posts: 1079
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2014 1:52 pm

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Toddy » Wed Nov 25, 2015 11:03 pm

Adam_Winstone wrote:The Harley site is down at the moment but the following link might show you the image of what you're after:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=harle ... JDSIeIM%3A


That is one posh bottle ;) cheers Adam
User avatar
Toddy
 
Posts: 9708
Joined: Tue May 13, 2014 9:58 pm
Location: East Yorkshire

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby coaster » Wed Nov 25, 2015 11:29 pm

You can buy it in any decent car parts shop, I even think I've seen it in Halfords.
User avatar
coaster
 
Posts: 2647
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: Norfolk, Flying 8 Balls

Re: Dot 4 Brake Fluid OK?

Postby Toddy » Wed Nov 25, 2015 11:48 pm

coaster wrote:You can buy it in any decent car parts shop, I even think I've seen it in Halfords.


What's wrong with halfords ?
User avatar
Toddy
 
Posts: 9708
Joined: Tue May 13, 2014 9:58 pm
Location: East Yorkshire


Return to Series 1, 2 & 3

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 118 guests