Hydraulic fluid change

[weeder]

The brake fluid should be changed once a year regardless if you put miles on.

Hyd fluid eats  moisture  in a closed system  on brakes and clutch systems. ,  If its a year old or not clear then time to change it.

This napa unit works good for 1 man bleeding of brakes and  clutch  , you can  prime it and get up  to pour in new oil.  

make sure you don't let the level down below intake and not take in air .

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Brake-Bleeder-Kit-Vacuum-Operated-Used-To-Bleed-All-Hydraulic-Systems/_/R-BK_7001008_0006382152

[sandy]

Thanks but you're preaching to the choir. Many of us have used that for quite a while now. Harbor Freight sells that unit too. It's a Mity Vac. I agree, it's a great tool for one man bleeding.

[Willow]

Sandy, he's not preaching to the choir here.

I do own a couple of Mity-Vacs but I think a statement that one needs to change his brake and clutch fluid every year is rather ignorant.

[Chrisj CMA]

I changed mine 2 years ago and the fluid is still clear in the sight glass........brakes and clutch operate perfectly.  If your fluid went back to brown in a year or less, I think you must have made the mistake I made the first time.....not getting it all out to begin with.

BTW I have no such vacuum tool I use the squeeze, open, close, release method and yes, I do it one man with no problems.

Tech tips are always a good thing, but sometimes I think we make something complex when its a simple thing or overdo something because more has to be better.

Flushing hydraulic fluid is as old a maintenance issue as many of us riders........

[Gryphon Rider]

Service manual says every two years or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.  I ride enough that I do it whenever I change pads, which is probably less often than the manual recommends.  Every year regardless of of mileage is overkill, but not harmful.

[NEHI]

   I have been using DOT 5 on all my vehicles from the time it was introduced. It doesn't absorb moisture, seals last longer ,and best of all it doesn't eat your paint if you spill some! Downside is the cost.

[Willow]

...  Every year regardless of of mileage is overkill, but not harmful. 

I apologize.  The way Gryphon puts it is better.  I'm  a little too much unpolished.   

[Brian]

After the gray sludge I found in my clutch res I am thinking synthetic is the way to go the next time. I still have the OEM brake lines on a 97. How long will the OEM lines last?

[weeder]

   I have been using DOT 5 on all my vehicles from the time it was introduced. It doesn't absorb moisture, seals last longer ,and best of all it doesn't eat your paint if you spill some! Downside is the cost.

""I have been using DOT 5 on all my vehicles """   

 cars  or /and Valkyries?

I didn't go to Dot5 cause all the warnings said don't  go from 3 , 4 to 5  .  not compatible.   see that Nehi?

[The emperor has no clothes]

I changed mine 2 years ago and the fluid is still clear in the sight glass........brakes and clutch operate perfectly.  If your fluid went back to brown in a year or less, I think you must have made the mistake I made the first time.....not getting it all out to begin with.

BTW I have no such vacuum tool I use the squeeze, open, close, release method and yes, I do it one man with no problems.

Tech tips are always a good thing, but sometimes I think we make something complex when its a simple thing or overdo something because more has to be better.

Flushing hydraulic fluid is as old a maintenance issue as many of us riders........

That's the way I've always done it also. Partly because it is simple, but partly because it reminds me of being a kid and helping my dad bleed brakes on cars.