SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB500/550

silicone or standard brake fluid

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mickwinf:
Just rebuilding the caliper and master cyl on Lazarus, using red rubber grease to assemble and all new parts, the question is should I use silicone fluid, is it compatable with red grease and does it cause any problems with bleeding on our old bikes? Does it have any effect on the feel?

Johnny4428:
Hi Mick, got Dot5 silicone in 550 and 750 here without any issues. Just need to make sure the system is flushed of old fluid.

K2-K6:
I feel that you need to get right to the outer extreme of temperature use on brake fluids to understand any significant difference in performance or feel generally. Unlikely to get even close in one of these brake system, more likely if racing.

The choices appear free to me,,without any concern really.

A point of note though, even the original Honda 750 workshop manual calls specifically for silicone grease to assemble the caliper, it's piston and seal. No alternative is given. It's the water repellent properties that give some level of protection from ingress down beside the piston area as no weather seal is in place.

Red rubber grease is vegetable oil based and doesn't, I believe,  offer the same attributes in that location. Seems more sustainable in rubber booted locations that are effectively screened from exposure directly to weather effects.

McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
I have silicone brake fluid in both of my bikes - aside from it not being hygroscopic it's not a paint stripper.👍👍👍

mickwinf:
Thanks for replies, I have only done caliper up to now with a smear of red grease around the seal would it be better to replace with silicon grease?

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