what kind of brake fluid should i put in my 91kx500?

[turtle22]

i think its dot 3, but my buddy told me dot5. i know if u mix the wrongs ones together it turns to gum(just not sure which is the wrong combo3&4,4&5or3&5)

[KXcam22]

Use 4.  You can also get away with high temp 3  but I would use a quality brand high temp  4 like motul. maxima or belray.  It actually does make a difference when your brakes get hot.  Dot 5 is silicone based and is NOT compatible with anything eles.  DOT 5.1 is the newest and is compatible and has the highest std temp rating.  Cam.

[turtle22]

thanks,cam i knew i liked this forum. u guys have all the answers   

[BDI]

If you are changing the brake fluid I would recomend taking the caliper off of the bike. Disconnect it from the brake line and turn it upside down to drain it. the idea is to get every last drop of fluid out, it is my experience that you never really get all of the old fluid out of the bottom of the caliper otherwise. The performance difference this makes on dirt bikes is marginal but on street bikes it seems to make a huge difference. I think it is do to the size and number of the calipers. the best thing to do is take everything appart and clean it with brake parts cleaner and blow it all out with compressed air. Then put your new high quality brake fluid in. This is a must to get the full performance benefit out of the new fluid.

[turtle22]

im going to get in to the caliber for sure,replace the dust caps and seals if need be. is there any tricks to get the pistons out/in that i should know about before i tear in to it?

[BDI]

The easiest way to get them out is with air.YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFULL DOING THIS YOU WILL BLOW THE PISTONS CLEAR ACROSS THE GARAGE AND SCREW THEM UP AND POSIBLY HURT YOURSELF. Use low A/P, hold the caliper in a heavy waded up rag and blow the pistons out by blowing air into the banjo bolt hole. I if you are carefull this is a very easy way to get them out but if you are reckless this is a very easy way to screw them up and hurt yourself.

[turtle22]

what about putting them back in?

[martinfan30]

Just lube the new seals with new fluid and push the pistons back in. Be sure to push them in straight! You could damage the seal.

[turtle22]

sweet, im going in tonight.i'll let u know how it turns out. we r riding carnegie ohv on friday. for all that dont know thats the sickest place to ride around here for hills. go to youtube and watch some of the hill climbing. and sence what goes up,must come down(sometimes on crazy rutted trails) stopping or slowing will be super importand(at less to me )

[turtle22]

when i bleed the brakes,should i do it like a car. fill resavior with fluid,open bleeder wait for it to drip. close bleeder,pump brake,hold brakes,open valve(releasing the air)close valve. and repeat untill the air is out.