Brake Fluid

[tzracer]

That may be true - but have you ever boiled your brakes in a race? ÊOr heard of anyone who has? Ê

I had problems with my TZ brakes, switched brake fluids, problem went away.

I consider brakes to be the most important system on the bike. I use 1 liter of brake fluid a year. Costs me $72 per year. I consider it money well spent. How much is your life worth?

[251am]

 Thanks for the link Brian. The article says Castrol strongly recommends draining the system, flushing, and refill/bleed. Did you have to put different o-rings in your master or calipers?
  I'm asking as I gather the SRF is a silicone based fluid. I have rebuilt braking systems with new lines, m.c., and pads, but neglected to change any internal rubbers.(I also neglected to do a "flush".) At that time I had access to Mercedes DOT 5, which is a silicone based fluid, and it proceeded to eat the caliper and master cylinder internals, ate em alive. So, I'm a little hesitant to go back to a silicone based fluid like the M.B.. Anyway, thanks for your time.      

[tzracer]

No ti is not a silicone based fluid - it is NOT a DOT 5 fluid. It carries a DOT 4 rating. Since I was changing lines and master cylinder on my SV, I just emptied the calipers (let them drain over night after blowing out with compressed air). I assembled the system, bled the system, then flushed 2 reserviors worth of fluid through each caliper. That should get rid of most of the old fluid.

When I switched on my TZ, I drained the entire system, disconnected the lines, used brake cleaner to flush the brake lines, disassembled and cleaned the calipers, disassembled and cleaned the master cylinder. Then reassembled and bled the system and flushed 2 reservoirs of fluid through each caliper. This should be done any time you change type/brands of brake fluid if you want the full effect of the new fluid. Yes it is a PITA, yes it takes time, yes it is the correct way.