silican brake fluid (anyone used it)

[lonner]

as the title suggests.

i have not tried it and assume its dot 5 synthetic etc

any pitfalls as apparently it does not ruin paint and no water absorption.

thanks for any info

[Bezzer]

Dot 5 Silicone isn't really used on road machines more for race as it has a high boiling point but needs to be changed regularly or in classic type motors where they hardly ever run as it's not corrosive. Not really suitable for the road as needs to be changed regular as it absorbs air , not moisture like Dot3/4, not absorbing moisture means the water stays in the system seperately , reduces pressure and can be a bitch to get out. Also you can't use it with ABS systems as it doesn't lubricate well and can't mix it with 3/4 so you need an uncontaminated braking system - hoses, master cylinder, calipers etc. All in all not worth changing to
____________________
I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Think the main bike use for it is for Harleys. Also used in some military vehicles.

Advantage is that as it doesn't absorb water it pretty much lasts for ever so little need to bleed it. Down side is as it doesn't absorb water, any moisture in the system tends to stay there and is difficult to flush out.

Doesn't attack paintwork.

Although it has a high boiling point if tends to give soft brakes even in normal use.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[lonner]

thanks guys

i noticed its rather pricey too.

was told to fit it with all my new brakes but i have no probs with dot4 as i change it regularly

[Kickstart]

Hi

They might have been suggesting DOT 5.1, which is a normal non silicon fluid (and is compatible with DOT 3 and DOT 4) but with a higher boiling point than DOT 4.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[MarJay]

I thought it wasn't legal to use dot 5 on the road?
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[lonner]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Nothing I have heard of about DOT 5 being illegal for road use. Plenty of people do use it, including Harley Davidson as standard in many models (at least until recently). Virtually nobody uses it for racing as it has the down side of spongy brakes while its up side of long life is pretty irrelevant.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Ariel Badger]