Old brake fluid/clutch fluid?

[pepperami]

So there I am , trying to organise my limited space in my shed.
I find that I’ve got half a dozen different bottles of brake fluid/clutch fluids/power steering oil/fork oil.
Do opened bottles of said fluids contaminate over time (1 - 2 years) for example, do they absorb moisture, making them useless.

I seek your wisdom oh mighty BCF!
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[to v or not to v]

go by the colour of the brake fluid i reckon.
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
Moto Guzzi V7.

[Islander]

Hydraulic fluid will probably be ok as long as the caps are on tight but if you're not sure then don't take the chance.

Power steering and and Fork oil will be fine.

[stevo123]

you can buy a tester that measures the percentage of water absorbed for little cost. Makes a nice addition to the tool armoury as well.
example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334023272572?epid=17030575420&hash=item4dc556a87c:g:OW0AAOSwtkBgtd7b

[xX-Alex-Xx]

For the cost of new brake fluid, just get new. It normally says on the bottle how long it can be stored for after it’s opened (usually about 6 months IIRC).
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DILLIGAF

[A100man]

Throw a party and sling it in the punch bowl...
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[weasley]

The brake fluid will absorb water - usual advice is to use freshly-opened. Fork oil is just mineral oil so will be OK for decades if kept in a closed container.
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[weasley]

Power steering fluid is also ok - it’s essentially ATF.
The clutch fluid will depend on the type - if it’s DOT 4 type then it’s like brake fluid, if it’s mineral then same applies to above.
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[steve the grease]

[Ste]

[blurredman]

I'd use it.

Think one of my car had it's original brake fluid and it's 41 this year. Black like.. oil.

Just remove from reservoir then bleed it through.. Then a few times over time, remove the stuff in the reservoir and replace with whatever you have.
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 50k.

[pepperami]

I found that for some reason I have two unopened bottles of clutch/brake fluid, so I’ll keep them.
The opened ones have gone cloudy, so they will go (recycle oils).
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!