Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: kawasince66 on September 12, 2013, 09:30:47 PM

Title: 1ST Brake/clutch fluid change
Post by: kawasince66 on September 12, 2013, 09:30:47 PM
Can I use synthetic dot 4 when I change fluids?  Can synthetic and non-synthetic be used together?  How many 12 oz. Bottles does it take to change clutch and brakes?  The parts guy at the dealer sold me 2, 12 oz. bottles of Castrol synthetic dot 4 and said this is all I need.  Before starting the job I watched the Fred Harmon video and he doesn't seem to like synthetic.  It looked like he used more than 24 oz..  Has anybody had a problem with synthetic?  Rick     :-\


Title: Re: 1ST Brake/clutch fluid change
Post by: B.D.F. on September 12, 2013, 09:37:45 PM
You can use any DOT 4 fluid you can find.

At pint might do it if you are careful, a bit more if you flush more fluid that you have to as most of us tend to do. As a pint is 16 oz., I think you will need to get into the second bottle but if not, you should be able to return it if you do not open it.

I used to think synthetic would not leave such a rigid system as non- synthetic fluid but then I found out how truly tough to bleed these bikes are. After going to an automatic (powered) fluid changing device, I cannot tell the difference between synthetic and non- synthetic. These bikes are tough to bleed, somewhat easier if you never allow any air into the system at all and just change the fluid.

Brian



Can I use synthetic dot 4 when I change fluids?  Can synthetic and non-synthetic be used together?  How many 12 oz. Bottles does it take to change clutch and brakes?  The parts guy at the dealer sold me 2, 12 oz. bottles of Castrol synthetic dot 4 and said this is all I need.  Before starting the job I watched the Fred Harmon video and he doesn't seem to like synthetic.  It looked like he used more than 24 oz..  Has anybody had a problem with synthetic?  Rick     :-\
Title: Re: 1ST Brake/clutch fluid change
Post by: Conrad on September 13, 2013, 05:02:57 AM
You can use any DOT 4 fluid you can find.

At pint might do it if you are careful, a bit more if you flush more fluid that you have to as most of us tend to do. As a pint is 16 oz., I think you will need to get into the second bottle but if not, you should be able to return it if you do not open it.

I used to think synthetic would not leave such a rigid system as non- synthetic fluid but then I found out how truly tough to bleed these bikes are. After going to an automatic (powered) fluid changing device, I cannot tell the difference between synthetic and non- synthetic. These bikes are tough to bleed, somewhat easier if you never allow any air into the system at all and just change the fluid.

Brian

On the other hand, if you do not have any air in the system to worry about bleeding the F & R along with the clutch is a snap (with a Motion Pro bleeder) and only takes about 15 mins. I used synth brake fluid too and it worked just fine. I can't recall how much I used though.