brake fluid

**Mrs Busa Pete** · 10th November 2007, 07:34

the question was asked the other day over debating what was wrong with the front brakes .HOW MANY KMS OR MONTHS DO YOU REPLACE THE FLUID in todays high kms use of bikes ,pads seam to last longer than before but if you do 24-30 thousand kms a year is that asking to much of the fluid .the service programe for my busa dosent make much referance to this area so what does the panel have to say on the mater

**NZsarge** · 10th November 2007, 07:41

Originally Posted by busa pete

the question was asked the other day over debating what was wrong with the front brakes .HOW MANY KMS OR MONTHS DO YOU REPLACE THE FLUID in todays high kms use of bikes ,pads seam to last longer than before but if you do 24-30 thousand kms a year is that asking to much of the fluid .the service programe for my busa dosent make much referance to this area so what does the panel have to say on the mater

Honestly I don't know, check the handbook if ya got one. I will do mine before summer start in earnest just need to sort some braided lines first

If you think that fluid need replacing mate just do it, fluid is'nt an arm and a leg and if it keeps brakes up to it why not eh.
Just be sure to get the correct DOT rated fluid though.

**Mrs Busa Pete** · 10th November 2007, 07:49

i dont use the brakes that much i ride at a consistant pace and let the bike do the work having a pilion on 60% of the time i try not to upset them by screaming in to corners and pulling on the pics more set my self up for things ahead of time .at the pub the track day boys said 10thousand kms

**muzz** · 10th November 2007, 07:50

I change my brake fluid every 3 months,
As brake fluid will draw moisture through the rubber lines
the more riding that you do and the hotter your brakes get the more you should change it

**Mrs Busa Pete** · 10th November 2007, 07:52

this busa is only 6months old with 12thou on it

**muzz** · 10th November 2007, 07:56

Originally Posted by busa pete

this busa is only 6months old with 12thou on it

age doesnt come into it but usage does.

**NinjaNanna** · 10th November 2007, 07:57

The hand book for my late model VFR spec'd every 2 yrs or 24,000kms. Was the same for the hydrolic clutch fluid as well (they both used DOT4 brake fluid)

The reason for it is as Muzz said - due to the tendancy for the fluid to trap moisture

**NZsarge** · 10th November 2007, 07:58

Originally Posted by busa pete

this busa is only 6months old with 12thou on it

Handbook, does that say when it should be done?
BTW the one and only Busa I have riden had freakin' shocking brakes!! It was an '03 done about 15K. I was disgusted, my 60k bike has waayyy better brakes, for a bike capable of such high speed I was suprised.
Dont mean to be Busa bashing but I had to get that out....

**muzz** · 10th November 2007, 08:08

As brake fluid ages, the corrosion-inhibiting additives in it break down. The earliest signs of chemical decomposition can often be detected within a year or so, or after 10,000 to 12,000 miles of normal driving. Hard use that elevates brake temperatures and pressures can accelerate the rate at which the fluid additives break down even more.
Moisture also creeps into the system to further add to the contamination problem. Humidity in the air can be drawn into the fluid anytime the fluid reservoir is opened for inspection or anytime a brake hose, line or bleeder valve is opened when servicing the brakes. Even if the fluid reservoir is never opened, moisture will still infiltrate the system through microscopic pores in rubber brake hose. The rate at which this happens depends on the age of the vehicle and the type of brake hose used. Newer hose made with linings that are less permeable to moisture help extend the life of the fluid. Even so, moisture can still slip past piston seals in wheel cylinders and calipers.

**jonbuoy** · 10th November 2007, 08:18

Every year, all the crap and water seems to collect in the caliper.

**scumdog** · 10th November 2007, 08:36

The next time I replace my brake-fluid will be the first.

Never have done it in years (except if I've had a caliper off) and never had a problem.

If I was using silicone fluid I would be more concerned as it does not absorbe the moisture but leaves it as tiny globules of water that will do more harm than the tiny % absorbed into standard fluid.

Expecting a flood of "you should..." posts anytime soon.

**muzz** · 10th November 2007, 08:48

When you get moisture in your fluid and your brakes get hot the moisture is drawn to the heat, the wheel cylinders being the hotest part that the fluid is in.
Did you know that water expands to something like 600 times its size when hot (steam).
steam can be compressed and if you are compressing steam then you have less pressure in your brake system leading to brake failure.
And because the moisture is drawn to the wheel cylinder it will also pull the dirt in the system with it.

**muzz** · 10th November 2007, 09:21

Originally Posted by scumdog

Expecting a flood of "you should..." posts anytime soon.

Well scumdog you should...
nah you are a big boy now, you make up your own mind.

**Mrs Busa Pete** · 10th November 2007, 09:26

this is not about busa brakes its just a look see at what people did or dident do i changed the fluid on the old busa when i got it and again when i fitted braded lines .being under waranty now havent done much to it and as we are getting an 08 busa in january probobly wont tuch it at all and yes the brakes are still shit on the busa compared to a pure sport bike so no track days for busa pete [well on a busa any way] the bike in question is a gsxr 1100 and we desided that a reco of the master cilander was in order if he keeped it for another year plus a fluid replacement imediatly