You may find yourself staring at your motorcycle and wondering what to work on. What task should a undertake to keep my motorcycle in tip top shape. You will then look at the top of your bars and maybe even down by your feet at those little resevoirs, and wonder, does brake fluid go bad?
The short answer is: YES
The Need To Stop
Bicycles have it. Roller skates have too. Cars and trains rely on it. Motorcycles also must stop even though we’d prefer to never have to. Brakes are one of the most crucial systems on your vehicle of choice. Harley Davidson in 2018 put out a recall on just that and used the recall to emphasize the importance of a well maintained brake system. Specifically, they announced a recall of CVO Touring & VRSC Models from 2008-2011 with ABS . As it relates to these bikes, the fluid degrades and after some time deposits can form much like those in a your midlife blood vessels after a life of hot dogs and cheeseburgers. Once that happens , the fluid doesn’t flow freely and that impacts a valve in their ABS system. If you don’t have ABS, you have an increased chance of your brakes sticking… locking up… and crashing.
The Fix
Recalls involve a complex repair. A well trained technician with a manual, diagnostic equipment, and high end tools which will remove complicated components you can’t even pronounce. WRONG.. in this case, the fix is a brake fluid flush with DOT 4 brake fluid.
While in this case it involves a specific ABS valve, the above fix is applicable to any and ALL brake systems that rely on that wonderfully destructive fluid. Even a 1980 GS 550 is susceptible to brake fluid circulation issues. The perfect specimen of a machine that it is. Fluid that doesn’t flow or circulate the way it should will cause your calipers to take on a life of their own. And at a minimum this is an inconvenience. It can however result in a life altering crash..
When Brake Fluid Goes Bad
According to Firestone, brake fluid its self doesn’t actually brake down. The additives in it does. When that happens , the fluid changes.
Here is what potential breakdowns happen in your fluid:
- Water. Modern sealed lines don’t have as much an issue, but our motorcycles are not as sealed up as your car or truck. Water/Moisture seeps into the lines and fluid and accelerates its progression from clear wonder fluid to gunky post apocalyptic goo.
- Dissolved Copper. Brake lines , metal ones, are often lined or composed of a copper element. This is slowly dissolved into the fluid. The more is does, the more your fluid has deteriorated.
- Breakdown of fluid additives. Depending on the type of fluid, your fluid may have castor oil, alcohol, mineral oil, glycol ether, and even silicone.
Anyway it pans out, any technician will direct you to flush or change your fluid at least every couple of years. Its not a complex task. There are many tools to help out. A simple search on Amazon or GOOGLE will point you in the right direction.
The moral to this story is…
DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR BRAKE FLUID!
Be safe, & ride on