[Parman]

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I'm going to attempt to change the clutch fluid on my 95 GL1500 SE. I saw the instructional video and think I can do it without any major issue. I've ready a few of the forum articles.

I see there was somediscussionsover the type of fluid. What is the preferred type offluid to put into the clutch reservoir's?

 

[Webtrack]

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DOT 4 is the one recommended and can be found at O'reilly's Auto parts.

 

[rpeters549]

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Dot-4 brake fluid. Available in many locations.

Maybe I did it wrong, but I just used a syringe to suck the old out of the reservoir, replaced it with fresh, then bled it through like a brake until clean stuff came out, refilling the reservoir as needed (about twice I think). Seems to have worked for me several times over the years.

 

[Ken Bergen]

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rpeters549 wrote:

Dot-4 brake fluid. Available in many locations.

Maybe I did it wrong, but I just used a syringe to suck the old out of the reservoir, replaced it with fresh, then bled it through like a brake until clean stuff came out, refilling the reservoir as needed (about twice I think). Seems to have worked for me several times over the years.

That's exactly right.:claps:

For the clutch Dot-3 would be good enough. The only reason for using Dot-4 is that you only have one bottle of fluid to do all three systems.

 

[rpeters549]

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Ken Bergen wrote:

rpeters549 wrote:

Dot-4 brake fluid. Available in many locations.

Maybe I did it wrong, but I just used a syringe to suck the old out of the reservoir, replaced it with fresh, then bled it through like a brake until clean stuff came out, refilling the reservoir as needed (about twice I think). Seems to have worked for me several times over the years.

That's exactly right.:claps:

For the clutch Dot-3 would be good enough. The only reason for using Dot-4 is that you only have one bottle of fluid to do all three systems.

OOh--- Make a note of that! I will show my wife!



JK- she treats me very well.

 

[pcfix_3]

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There are differences in DOT-3 and DOT-4. Either one will work, but if it's say dot-3 and you want to change to dot-4, make sure that you get as much of the dot-3 out as you can. From what I understand they don't mix too well. I believe that DOT-4 is what I have in my brake system and my clutch.

 

[Ken Bergen]

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pcfix_3 wrote:

There are differences in DOT-3 and DOT-4. Either one will work, but if it's say dot-3 and you want to change to dot-4, make sure that you get as much of the dot-3 out as you can. From what I understand they don't mix too well. I believe that DOT-4 is what I have in my brake system and my clutch.

Dot-3 and Dot-4 are compatible, Dot-4 just has a higher boiling point and is more suitable for high demand braking.

Dot-5 on the other hand is not compatible with Dot-3 or 4 and may destroy some rubbers in early braking systems.

 

[Bike...and Dennis]

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You can also use synthetic. Easier to find than DOT-4 and fully compatible with 3 or 4. And easier on the paint.

 

[rpeters549]

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I have Valvoline synthetic DOT-4 in there now. Have used it for years and it is great.

 

[pcfix_3]

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Ken Bergen wrote:

pcfix_3 wrote:

There are differences in DOT-3 and DOT-4. Either one will work, but if it's say dot-3 and you want to change to dot-4, make sure that you get as much of the dot-3 out as you can. From what I understand they don't mix too well. I believe that DOT-4 is what I have in my brake system and my clutch.

Dot-3 and Dot-4 are compatible, Dot-4 just has a higher boiling point and is more suitable for high demand braking.

Dot-5 on the other hand is not compatible with Dot-3 or 4 and may destroy some rubbers in early braking systems.

Ok, I was just confusing the 3. lol

 

[kamikaze84]

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Use Sesame oil its a Japanese bike. LOL I would stick to what the cap says. DOT 4

 

[Dusty Boots]

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When you drain/suck the old fluid out, make sure you use a Q-tip.rag or something to remove all the gunk/dirt that will be caked to the walls/bottom of the MC. !!

I have to change mine yearly, due to amount of miles ridden and it amazes me each time I change it how much dirt/gunk haws built up in such a short time. :shock:

As mentioned, cover the area around the clutch MC with rags to prevent any brake fluidsplash/drips from coming in contact with the paint/plastic!



Dusty

 

[JerryH]

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I use DOT-3 in everything. It is completely compatible with DOT-4, and is fine for most applications. As was said, DOT-4 just has a higher boiling point, but is a LOT more expensive. If I am going to replace all the fluid in both brakes and the clutch, I get a qt bottle of DOT-3 for half the price of a 16 oz bottle of DOT-4. That is for OLDER bikes and cars, or bikes of an older design. A 1500 may actually need DOT-4

 

[hoghideman]

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hi,does everybody use speed bleeders? great item. use them on all my motorcycles. i really believe that a 10 yr.old could bleed brakes with the speed bleeders. just thought i would throw this information in. hoghideman

 

[rpeters549]

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A quart bottle of synthetic DOT-4 was well under $10.
That's a LOT of fluid...

 

[cobradb]

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what ever the manual requires pls

ive found that new fluid 2x/yr is good for me,, mine get ugly for some reason after abt 6mo,, easy enough to do.

 

[flylow]

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Should an additional acronym be used here? We use RTFM but how about FTFM for follow? :smallpopcorn:

 

[Goldwinger]

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Get the smallest bottles you can get. Once you open the bottles you don't want to store them. Use what you need then throw out (sorry, dispose of in an environmentally proper manner) the left overs. Or just keep flushing until it's all gone.

 

[TXRLGL1500]

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where is the video located on changing clutch fluid. Badly in need of replacing it on my 1500
Thanks

 

[SidecarMike]

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JerryH wrote:

I use DOT-3 in everything. It is completely compatible with DOT-4, and is fine for most applications. As was said, DOT-4 just has a higher boiling point, but is a LOT more expensive. If I am going to replace all the fluid in both brakes and the clutch, I get a qt bottle of DOT-3 for half the price of a 16 oz bottle of DOT-4. That is for OLDER bikes and cars, or bikes of an older design. A 1500 may actually need DOT-4

There's more to it than that. I was a Jaguar mechanic years ago. DOT 3 will dissolve live rubber seals in no time at all. Dot 4 will not. European cars and bikes used live rubber well into the 90's and some aftermarket seals may still be.

DOT 5, when mixed with earlier stuff rolls up in little black balls in the reservoir. When we switched from organic to synthetic, we first flushed everything thoroughly with denatured alcohol, then replaced all rubber. If you do a good job, five years down the road it will be just as clean as when it came out of the can.

I'm told the newer synthetics mix better than the early stuff, but I would still flush it well.