Silicone Brake fluid

[Trigger]

Have had someone ask me to service his brakes but, they are insisting that I use DOT 5. My supplier only lists 5.1, is there any difference ?

[RGP750]

Found this Trigg

Image result for difference between dot 5 and 5.1
Since DOT 4 and 5.1 are both glycol-based brake fluids they are compatible with each other, which means they can be readily mixed without harming your brake system. It is important never to mistake DOT 5.1 (glycol-based) with DOT 5 which is silicone-based and should never be mixed with any other DOT fluid.

[Trigger]

Found this Trigg

Image result for difference between dot 5 and 5.1
Since DOT 4 and 5.1 are both glycol-based brake fluids they are compatible with each other, which means they can be readily mixed without harming your brake system. It is important never to mistake DOT 5.1 (glycol-based) with DOT 5 which is silicone-based and should never be mixed with any other DOT fluid.

Interesting, but why not just use DOT 4 ? Any benefits to using 5.1 or draining the whole system and using DOT 5 ?

[Green1]

The only benefit I can see with DOT 5 silicon based is its kinder to the paint and supposedly doesn't need to be changed as often.
I think it also has a higher boiling point not that that's ever an issue for road use. 

[Moorey]

DOT 5 is hydrophobic. So doesn't require changing as often and doesn't damage paintwork. Allegedly. 

[Green1]

That's what I said 
I don't trust the paintwork claim. Someone needs to try it out. 

[UK Pete]

Yes dot 5 is silicon and gives a good shine to your paint when you wipe it off much better for our classics paintwork

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Laverda Dave]

If you use silicone fluid in a system previously filled with a non silicone fluid you need to change all the seals apparently otherwise they will swell.

[Trigger]

That's what I said 
I don't trust the paintwork claim. Someone needs to try it out. 

Buy a litre and send it to me, I have some tanks to try it on 

[Green1]

I will buy you a litre and personally deliver it to your door if you do my pegaso headrace bearings. 
Still haven't touched the dam thing finally get the free time but been too ill to do them. 

[Trigger]

I will buy you a litre and personally deliver it to your door if you do my pegaso headrace bearings. 
Still haven't touched the dam thing finally get the free time but been too ill to do them. 

It is a Italian bike, just squeeze another bit of tin foil in the gap 

[Moorey]

A  bit of reading for anyone interested. http://www.buckeyetriumphs.org/technical/Brakes/Fluid/Fluid.htm

[Green1]

Your getting as bad as Hairy 
Nothing wrong with Italian bikes.

[Trigger]

Your getting as bad as Hairy 
Nothing wrong with Italian bikes.

Never seen you on one yet 

[Green1]

My Guzzi managed about 1000miles before springing a leak and the Aprilia managed about 300miles this year what more do you want .