Greetings All.... New Owner Of An '89 Needs Advice.

[racerrad8]

Sorry to hear about the bum knee. I tore the ACL in my left knee several years ago & had that repaired. I can feel your pain.  I'm just wanting to talk to someone who knows what all I need to do on this very new to me bike is all.

I will place an order online.

Thank you & I hope you feel better soon. Enjoy those morphine/vicodin dreams.
~JM~

Thank you for the order, my son will have it headed your way today. I hope to start being able to be around the shop fairly regularly next week. If you still have anything you need to talk about shoot me an email and I will try and get with you when I am there.

Randy - RPM

[ribbert]

What is the best fluid to use for the hydraulic clutch?

Thank you
~JM~

Just use normal DOT4 fluid. Some people use DOT5 silicone fluid because it won't damage paint and plastic but it has a downside.

People mistake the fact that the fluid doesn't absorb water for water not being drawn into the system. It is but doesn't mix with the fluid.

When mixed, the water remains separate from the fluid and because the fluid is lighter it floats to the top. This means the water will accumulate at the bottom, the slave cylinder.

For this reason it requires more frequent changing. It also requires a very thorough flushing of the system to introduce it, it is not compatible with other fluids.

DOT5 fluid was not developed or intended to be the next generation fluid, it was made for special applications and has never been adopted for widespread or manufacturer use.

Noel

[rktmanfj]

DOT5 fluid was not developed or intended to be the next generation fluid, it was made for special applications and has never been adopted for widespread or manufacturer use.

Noel

H-D used it for several years as OEM.

[FJmonkey]

DOT5 fluid was not developed or intended to be the next generation fluid, it was made for special applications and has never been adopted for widespread or manufacturer use.

Noel

H-D used it for several years as OEM.

Did they stop using it?

[rktmanfj]

DOT5 fluid was not developed or intended to be the next generation fluid, it was made for special applications and has never been adopted for widespread or manufacturer use.

Noel

H-D used it for several years as OEM.

Did they stop using it?

I believe they did, 2-3 years ago.

[FJmonkey]

I believe they did, 2-3 years ago.

Any reason given for the change?

[ribbert]

I believe they did, 2-3 years ago.

Any reason given for the change?

I don't know about Harley but I believe manufacturers don't use it because it offers no advantages and they foresee liability issues with the fluid not being changed at the specified intervals.
Really, who changes their brake fluid, especially in the car, at regular intervals, if ever?

For special applications you can now get DOT5.1 which is glycol based DOT5.

Noel

[FJmonkey]

I don't know about Harley but I believe manufacturers don't use it because it offers no advantages and they foresee liability issues with the fluid not being changed at the specified intervals.
Really, who changes their brake fluid, especially in the car, at regular intervals, if ever?

Noel

Funny, I change my fluid every month, don't we all?

[rktmanfj]

I believe they did, 2-3 years ago.

Any reason given for the change?

They didn't consult with me before they did it...           They probably talked to Noel or something.

Actually, I just noticed it on someone's late model H-D at a gathering, and he said they'd done it recently.

[FJmonkey]

They didn't consult with me before they did it...           They probably talked to Noel or something.

Actually, I just noticed it on someone's late model H-D at a gathering, and he said they'd done it recently.

Bugger, they should have consulted with you... The mystery will then continue on...

[fintip]

Noel:

Two. DOT5 boils at 500 degrees F. Fresh, uncorrupted DOT3 boils at 400 degrees F. Water boils at 212 Degrees F. DOT3 absorbs water leading to: A. Lower boiling point and B. Corrosion in the system. This rust is what scores the cylinders and wears the rubber cups leading to failure. Lower boiling point leads to easier brake fade and failure due to the heat of heavy braking. DOT5 prevents all that.

Three. One drawback to DOT5: IF water gets into the system - usually by submerging the vehicle such as the military does driving through rivers - the water pools at the low points in the system. This is corrected by bleeding the system again. If you don't drive in rivers, it won't happen. If you do, bleed it soon after. To get water in the system, the water level would have to be over the master cylinder cover.

Source: http://www.binderplanet.com/forums/showwiki.php?title=DOT5+The+better+brake+fluid

Advantages: lubricates all but metal-to-metal, will not rust your system, does not need to be changed like water absorbing brake fluids.

The article that convinced me that I want to switch to DOT5 at some point: http://www.aircoolednut.com/erkson/ttt/silicone.htm

[ribbert]

Noel:

Two. DOT5 boils at 500 degrees F. Fresh, uncorrupted DOT3 boils at 400 degrees F. Water boils at 212 Degrees F. DOT3 absorbs water leading to: A. Lower boiling point and B. Corrosion in the system. This rust is what scores the cylinders and wears the rubber cups leading to failure. Lower boiling point leads to easier brake fade and failure due to the heat of heavy braking. DOT5 prevents all that.

Three. One drawback to DOT5: IF water gets into the system - usually by submerging the vehicle such as the military does driving through rivers - the water pools at the low points in the system. This is corrected by bleeding the system again. If you don't drive in rivers, it won't happen. If you do, bleed it soon after. To get water in the system, the water level would have to be over the master cylinder cover.

Source: http://www.binderplanet.com/forums/showwiki.php?title=DOT5+The+better+brake+fluid

Advantages: lubricates all but metal-to-metal, will not rust your system, does not need to be changed like water absorbing brake fluids.

The article that convinced me that I want to switch to DOT5 at some point: http://www.aircoolednut.com/erkson/ttt/silicone.htm

Kyle, if I was doing first principles research I would not be getting my information from a forum, especially one called "aircoolednut"

I read both those posts and neither author appears to have any credentials that entitle them to a definitive view on the subject.  Their point is not to offer an unbiased finding but in part to selectively take other people's information that favours their choice and their own limited findings. Some of the lines they use have been plucked from other articles.

Nobody vets information put on the net and just finding a couple of guys that muck around with old cars that share your view is not confirmation of the facts.

Page presentation, authoritative tone and big words have nothing to do with the merit, or even truth, of it's content.

There are too many facts involved to have a tit for tat discussion on it and probably no one's interested. Those that have decided to use it are not going to change their mind and those that don't couldn't care less.

I am satisfied that I have read sufficiently from credible sources on the subject to form the view I have.

BTW, on the two points you mention, bikes generally don't have a problem with brake fade because of their generous brakes and light weight. If you did, there is DOT5.1
Water enters the system from the atmosphere, not submersion. Both systems absorb water. DOT4 mixes with the water and will have a lower boiling point than DOT5 with a pocket of water nearest the heat source, as the water does not mix with it and falls to the bottom. In cold climates this water can also freeze creating a plug in the system.

[rktmanfj]

Page presentation, authoritative tone and big words have nothing to do with the merit, or even truth, of it's content.

True that.

There are too many facts involved to have a tit for tat discussion on it and probably no one's interested. Those that have decided to use it are not going to change their mind and those that don't couldn't care less.

Also true.

I am satisfied that I have read sufficiently from credible sources on the subject to form the view I have.

There are also 'credible sources' who can 'prove' that a bumblebee can't fly... 

[~JM~]

Are there any other hydraulic fluids other than brake fluid that can be used?

Some of the "Red" hydraulic fluids maybe?

Anything that won't eat up the paint & plastic and will last longer? Maybe some Marvel Mystery Oil? LOL.

Thank you
~JM~

[fintip]

Well, I respect your opinion greatly Noel. But personal experience matters as much to me as theories, if not more. While I am aware that water enters the lines via the atmosphere, my impressions has been that DOT4 fluid are so hydrophilic that they draw the water in, attract it. Since DOT5 doesn't have this relationship with water, I can understand water not being drawn into the system.

But, if you did care to argue it, I'm not dogmatic. I put those points to you as much to show the other side as to hear your counter, if any.

But as you wish! As I said, your opinion is always welcome.