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Re: [ST] Tech Info



OEM Sprint brakelines ARE stainless-steel braided lines.  They are just covered in rubber
so you can't see the braiding.

DOT5 brake fluid is silicone-based and DOT5 was originally designed for military vehicles
which are often left unattended for long periods of time.  It doesn't attack rubber.  DOT5
fluid is also not hydroscopic (it does not absorb water and will not mix with water).
It's only major advantage is that it doesn't attack paint, unlike poly-glycol fluids.
DOT5 brake fluid also has higher dry and wet boiling points, which means that it is better
suited for extreme temperature situations.  However, since it does not absorb water, any
water (which is heavier than brake fluid) that inevitably gets into the system will pool
at the lowest points (usually the calipers) and when that water boils it will affect
braking iin the same way that moisture in hydroscopic brake fluid does.  It will, over
time, also cause corrosion of caliper pistons.  Also, as it approaches its boiling point,
DOT5 fluid will become slightly compressible -- hence a spongy brake feel.  Lastly,
silicone and poly-glycol fluids are incompatible and should therefore never be mixed.  So
if you really want to switch to DOT5, you'll need to disassemble and thoroughly clean the
ENTIRE system.

So the recommendation against using DOT5 is correct, but not for the reason given.

Neil


- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Nathan Maher" <nate@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: September 30, 2004 8:59 AM
Subject: RE: [ST] Tech Info


> Matt,
>
> Call me crazy, but I was under the impression that the stock lines on my RS
> were already braided SS, that's straight from the mechanics mouth, at least
> the front anyway.
>
> Can someone set the record straight?
>
> Nate
> 00SprintRS
>
> --Original Message-----
> From: owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Heyer,
> Matthew A.
> Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 11:31 AM
> To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [ST] Tech Info
>
> 1 - DOT5 brake fluid.  This should not be used on our bikes.  The reason
> is that DOT5 fluid can have an ill effect on the rubber in our brake
> lines.  You can use DOT5 brake fluid if you change your brake lines
> (like to stainless steel braided).
>
> Matt Heyer
>
>
>
>
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