"it'll FUBAR your paintwork as soon as you change the pads."

not if you're using DOT 5!...

...why's that Norm?
You telling me that you force the fluid back up the line by returning the pistons into the caliper when you change pads?
BAD FORM, SIR!
Take the oportunity to CHANGE the fluid and expel it through the bleeder.
Can't beat regular fluid changes... at very least as often as you renew pads but at least every two years.
I realise that this doesn't apply to Buells (at present) but the best way to ruin an ABS controller is to force dirty fluid 'backwards' through it (introduces hose detritus into the valve block) so it should NEVER be done on 'modern' vehicles... excess fluid is always expelled at the caliper and new fluid bled right through.... good habit to get into whatever the vehicle / system / fluid spec.
Mind you, as previously stated, I very much doubt that any of the spotty 16yr olds in your average Main Dealer / KrapFit actually bother....

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'98 M2 Razorback, it's a keeper.

I'd already said replace it every 2 years.

As for me forcing the fluid upwards, you must be kidding! As if I'd be allowed anywhere near something as techie as brake fluid!

I am still waiting to be shot down for entering the tech forum here, though no-one has contradicted me yet...

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Good in straight lines
2001 X1 "The Tart's Handbag"
2001 FZS1000 "The Fridge"

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I started out with nothing and still got most of it left.

(and three... )

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Good in straight lines
2001 X1 "The Tart's Handbag"
2001 FZS1000 "The Fridge"

i got a fluid tester i use . tells me how much water content by dipping the fluid if it stays green it ok if it yellow its still ok but has a small persentage and if it turns red then simply replace . of course you can always replace anyway if you suspect it but this simply takes the guessing out .

I can vouch for this. Just changed the seals in a DOT5 braking system that was filled with DOT4. The seals had swollen and the master cylinder piston was not retracting particularly quickly, leaving the brake light on for a number of seconds.

Of course, it's a 12 year old bike, and it may just be down to deterioration over time...

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08 Specialized Langster

Why all the discussion about DOT 5 and 5.1, when my XB manual tell me to use DOT 4? Is it a tuber thing?

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2006 XB12Ss..... 1998 S1W..... 1996 S2T
We do not need the help of our friends so much as confidence that they will help us when we need it. –Epicurus

Yes

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08 Specialized Langster

.....and 5.1 for the XB's using proper sintered pads.

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

calling a totally incompatible fluid 5.1 seems utter stupidity!....

Bet you can't guess which country's Department Of Transportation came up with that one then.

Count on the U.S. DOT to come up with such a stupid system for grading brake fluids. Why on earth couldn't 5.1 have been labeled 4.1? Must be GW Bush's fault.

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2006 XB12Ss..... 1998 S1W..... 1996 S2T
We do not need the help of our friends so much as confidence that they will help us when we need it. –Epicurus