Having a few issues with my new forwards and master cylinder, got a reply from the supplier stating its because I am using DOT4 fluid and that ALL aftermarket brakes components use only DOT5. Now I know mixing the 2 is a no no and there where no warnings or instructions with the forwards, I would think a reasonable person would expect a warning if a brake part supplied for an 07 HD which uses DOT4 was only meant to use DOT5 ???

Thanks Scotty, wouldn't the seals in the caliper need replacing too if I used DOT5 ?  Is the difference between the two DOT5 fully synthetic and DOT4 not ?

Yeah what a pain, shit. They should supply a caliper seal kit or make the master cylinder a DOT4 if its for a 07 HD!! I'll email them and see if they have an upgrade kit. (I take it going from 5 to 4 is an upgrade?) Man this is F#*ked, Im going to Tassie in 2 weeks and I dont need this shit, might have to stick the mids back on till I get back. Thanks again for the help guys.

dot 5 is compatable with all dot 4 and dot 3 systems so strip and clean the brake sstem and use dot 5, dot 4 is glycol based and dot 5 is silicon based i think, dot 4 absorbs moisture, dot 5 doesnt but dot 5 is more compressable.

What brand are your forwards ?

Outlaws.

Seems weird im pretty sure they use the same guts as DNA forwards which i fitted to my 09 FXST and i threw DOT 4 in em ,even though they said DOT 5.
Its only that they sell a rebuild kit on USA EGAY that they say will fit "DNA,OUTLAW,ACCUTRONICS BLAH BLAH BLAH so i guess there all generic inside

Just read up on all the DOT'S. Seems Jordan is pretty much on the money. ie DOT5 can be used in a DOT4 system if you flush the system. Big drawback of DOT4 is that it will remove paint/powdercoat ect which is one issue I'm having as I got the black forwards.

Only if ya spill it

Paint coming off top edge of master cylinder, surface corrosion on mounting bolt heads, master cylinder lid seal doesn't appear to fit correctly, ie the holes in the seal dont line up with the holes in the lid.

Id be taking em back, it sounds like your problems are more than DOT 4 related , Manafacturing sounds shithouse ,Please tell me you didnt buy them from DEMONS CYCLE SOUTH through US EBAY ,If so , good luck if you try sending them back.

Got them thru Outlawcycleproducts on ebay (99.9%positive feedback), still dont like my chances, dont want to send them back, hopefully I can resolve all issues.

Good luck with it.

Scotty, thanks for the knowledge.

 

 

HD went to Dot5 in '04-'05, at least they did with the softails.

I had a warranty period service at some point that fucked up and bled/refilled my brakes with dot4.. incompetent assholes. I didn't find out until I did a full brake flush as part of a trip prep when the bike was 2.5 yrs old.

I basically pumped a full bottle of dot5 through it and flushed it clean. Haven't had a drama, bike is 4yo this year.



Even scarier.... did my old leccyglide at the same time and got 3 different kinds of fluid out of it.. yikes !!

Use old coke bottles (cos they're chem resistant and clear) and flush your brakes right out... let the bottle sit for 10 and scare yourself shitless at what comes out.

Cheers, Richo.

As I understand it you can use dot 4 and 5.1 in the same system both mineral, dot 5 being synthetic and shouldnt be mixed with mineral and as scotty said all the seals would have to be changed to accommodate synthetic, if it were me I would flush all the dot 4 out if ya not happy with it and fill with dot 5.1 motul...................