Brake Fluid, critical and often ignored!

[IrishGaucho]

Hi folks,

More often than not, I see bikes with disgusting looking brake fluid, lads completely ignoring the service maintenance schedule for it, etc...

So here's everything you need to know about brake fluid, why it's so critical and how to stay on top of it.

Hope this helps!

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Exactly this. I remember buying an old bike and running it for a couple of months before changing the brake fluid. It transformed the soft spongey brakes.

 

[OMG!!]

Well explained video as always, only 1 point I would add is when changing brake fluid, firstly check the reservoir for pieces of dirt specially at the bottom of the reservoir that will build up there overtime. Regularly removing, using a lint free paper, (blue paper) every time before a flush is started. Keeping that fluid clear and all parts working properly.

 

[IrishGaucho]

Exactly this. I remember buying an old bike and running it for a couple of months before changing the brake fluid. It transformed the soft spongey brakes.

Agreed, it does make a huge difference in feel! But also, and this is the danger of it, you can be used to the feel as it degrades over time but on a "spirited" ride it can boil and fade away which is the riskiest thing ever!!

Well explained video as always, only 1 point I would add is when changing brake fluid, firstly check the reservoir for pieces of dirt specially at the bottom of the reservoir that will build up there overtime. Regularly removing every time before a flush is started. Keeping that fluid clear and all parts working properly.

Thank you!! And yes, 100% agree with your statement. I didn't focus on the process of doing a brake flush in this video but that's an absolute valid point!

 

[OMG!!]

Thank you for your well scripted videos, I always welcome them, and enjoy all your content worded perfectly each and every time.

 

[BillWright]

I've recently changed the brake fluid on my GSA. The fluid was last changed two years ago, it says so on my invoice.
I was a bit surprised to find that when I tested the old fluid, it had a water content by volume of over 4%.

 

[IrishGaucho]

Thank you for your well scripted videos, I always welcome them, and enjoy all your content worded perfectly each and every time.

Thank you my friend, I really appreciate your kind feedback. I do put a lot of time and effort into them, so it's great to hear/read this

I've recently changed the brake fluid on my GSA. The fluid was last changed two years ago, it says so on my invoice.
I was a bit surprised to find that when I tested the old fluid, it had a water content by volume of over 4%.

Right? That's one of the points I try to drive on the video, the 2 year schedule is an average and while valid most of the time, it also depends on other factors.

Also, I've heard some horror stories of shops just replacing the fluid at the master and not doing a proper flush. So at a glance it looks like new fluid but it'll quickly mix with whatever is on the lines already and won't take much to already have a higher water content already.

 

[FatAl]

My wife's 12 year old Toyota Yaris last had a brake fluid change about 8 years ago, when it was done by the Toyota dealer as part of an inclusive service package. Since then I've been testing the fluid twice a year with one of those electronic testers, and each time it is showing it's OK. I asked about a fluid change at our two local garages and they both said they don't bother if the electronic tester shows fluid is ok.
So are we being told by the manufacturer to change the fluid far too often in order to generate work for the main dealers?

 

[JJH]

It’s not a lot of work. I look at the same way as brake pads/shoes. We change them hopefully long before they actually have to be changed. Same with oil and filters. It’s not expensive either. JJH

 

[IrishGaucho]

My wife's 12 year old Toyota Yaris last had a brake fluid change about 8 years ago, when it was done by the Toyota dealer as part of an inclusive service package. Since then I've been testing the fluid twice a year with one of those electronic testers, and each time it is showing it's OK. I asked about a fluid change at our two local garages and they both said they don't bother if the electronic tester shows fluid is ok.
So are we being told by the manufacturer to change the fluid far too often in order to generate work for the main dealers?

Well... like I mentioned at the later portion of the video, the 2 year interval is pretty much an average that I'd say airs in the side of caution. Depending on a few factors, the 2 year mark could be early or late but you're doing the proper thing by checking every not and then and doing it when needed.

But also... the below:

It’s not a lot of work. I look at the same way as brake pads/shoes. We change them hopefully long before they actually have to be changed. Same with oil and filters. It’s not expensive either. JJH

100%, I'm with you on that... for the cost and time required, I would prefer to do it before hand and be on the safe side. I do this with all fluids, engine, gearbox, final drive, brakes, etc...

Thank you both!