brake fluid,

[kevgs]

hi, guys just a quick one does it really matter what brake fluid we use dot 3 or dot 4 on older bikes , we used to run with dot 3 back in the day ,

is dot 4 just better quality, cheers kev,

[Swiss Toni]

And Dot 4 is kinder to paintwork!

[Gixer1460]

23 minutes ago, Swiss Toni said:

And Dot 4 is kinder to paintwork!

Its not actually! Dot 5 which is silicone based is the one that doesn't affect paint, 4 will happily eat paint as well. The DOT ratings defines relative fluid boiling points - 3 is fine for most 'everyday' applications, 4 is higher and better for racing or barrelling down alpine roads with a caravan behind you LOL! Word of caution don't try mixing mineral based oils with silicone ones - it'll end in tears and no brakes!

[Captain Chaos]

To add some confusion, DOT 5 is silicone based and DOT 5.1 is not. 

[Gixer1460]

1 hour ago, Captain Chaos said:

To add some confusion, DOT 5 is silicone based and DOT 5.1 is not. 

Yeah - sorry, forgot about 5.1 - really extreme temps LOL!

[stockcar]

If you think dot5.1 is ‘extreme’ then you have never used pukka Race fluid………

[wraith]

23 hours ago, stockcar said:

If you think dot5.1 is ‘extreme’ then you have never used pukka Race fluid………

Is that not a pie