2004/06 sportster break fluid

[BlackEagleS]

i know i am quite possibly the only sportster owner in the uk that did not know but the 2004-06 sportsters have a different brake fluid - it uses dot5 silicone based fluid which is crimson NOT AMBER. that does not mean, as it was suggested to me by one shop that dot5.1 can be used as its an 'upgraded' fluid. dot 3, 4 are a mixture of mineral and glycol and 5.1 is glycol based and there seems to be a reaction between them and the seals and (im told) the grade of ali used for the callipers. it may not be a problem that quickly happens, certainly i hope not since mine had the amber fluid in it, but ive changed it anyway (what a bitch the rear brake is to bleed).
simple to check just look at the top plate of the front reservoir and it tells you.

of course i ment brake although the time it took to bleed the back nearly breaked me!