Fluids for Harleys?

**1200custom** · 3rd April 2008, 17:19

what type of oil and brake fluid do you guys use for your harley

**JimO** · 3rd April 2008, 17:29

BRAKE fluid

**1200custom** · 3rd April 2008, 18:02

Originally Posted by jimjim

BRAKE fluid

thanks for that

**JimO** · 3rd April 2008, 19:53

Originally Posted by 1200custom

thanks for that

no worries

**jafar** · 3rd April 2008, 20:40

Originally Posted by 1200custom

what type of oil and brake fluid do you guys use for your harley

DOT4 Brake fluid Any brand

Harleys have seperate oil for the engine & transmission so you can probably use car oil & transmission fluid. Your local Harley stealership would be able to tell you what they recommend

**Headbanger** · 3rd April 2008, 20:57

I'll check the puddle under my bike and get back to ya.....

**jafar** · 3rd April 2008, 21:04

Originally Posted by Headbanger

I'll check the puddle under my bike and get back to ya.....

Sounds like a 'triumph' of engineering

**Owl** · 3rd April 2008, 21:58

Originally Posted by jafar

DOT4 Brake fluid Any brand

Do Harley's not use DOT 5 silicone fluid anymore?

**mudthug** · 3rd April 2008, 23:56

Early 90's to 2005 Dot 5 silicone brake fluid was standard in all factory models, mainly for the non paint damaging qualities...Expensive as ....

2006 on they went back to dot 4 apparently because it performs better with ABS systems.....However fucks the paint quickly like paint stripper... much cheaper with an infinite choice of brands.

A few mates have taken apart their brake systems totally cleaned them out and gone back to dot 5.

**Owl** · 4th April 2008, 05:51

Originally Posted by mudthug

Early 90's to 2005 Dot 5 silicone brake fluid was standard in all factory models, mainly for the non paint damaging qualities...Expensive as ....

2006 on they went back to dot 4 apparently because it performs better with ABS systems.....However fucks the paint quickly like paint stripper... much cheaper with an infinite choice of brands.

A few mates have taken apart their brake systems totally cleaned them out and gone back to dot 5.

Thanks for clearing that up mudbug! I'm not sure why anyone would want to return to DOT 5 though.

**Omega1** · 4th April 2008, 07:37

DOT 5 was the recommended type for my 1995 Evo, Oil always used HD 20/50
Though what oil to use is about as controversial as China's free trade agreement...each to there own

**Tank** · 4th April 2008, 08:23

Originally Posted by 1200custom

what type of oil and brake fluid do you guys use for your harley

Im assuming you are referring to brands as opposed to DOT4 vs DOT5 or nonsynth / synth for the oil.

With the DOT4, DOT5 you must follow the manual - otherwise you can stuff you brake lines - generally a bad thing.

Same with the oil - in your manual it will have the ratings of oil that you are best using. They have tested this to hell - so best to listen to them.

With Brands - stick to known brands. Given the type of use all will do the job as long as its not a cheap, cheap noname fluid.

The other option being because Harleys are 'well hard' like their owners just fill them with meths and irons fillings. Oil is for pansies.

**Biggles2000** · 4th April 2008, 10:55

I've only used Squarking Budgie Syn 3 for all the 3 oils, only 40k on the clock and so far so good. I have had experience as the oil supplier, with big end failures using an well known oil companies top of the line synthetic oil. It seems that the roller big ends skid and this promotes bearing failure.