at wit's end with my F@#*ing clutch

yellerduck · Post by **yellerduck** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 1:18 am

Today, I spent all day literally, trying to get the air out of my clutch line. I have came to the conclusion that there must be some kind of air leak coming in from somewhere. Has anyone had this problem? I don't know what to do I have tried everything I know.

very pissed

ducapaso · Post by **ducapaso** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:24 am

there might be various causes in yor trouble. Forgive me if I'm obvious, but did you try to remove the pump from the handlebar, in order to search air in the top end of the pump itself? A smaller air ball can also remain in the nut in the edge of the pump, so you might try to bleed also that part.
somewhere in the forum I found something about releasing the clutch cover for about 5mm (1/4"), bleed and then screw the cover while bleeding. A plastic pipe will help you bleeding without oiling dirth the clutch plates

yellerduck · Post by **yellerduck** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 12:42 pm

Hey Nicola, thanks for the suggestions. I have tried both of those as well.

ducinthebay · Post by **ducinthebay** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 3:17 am

the air hides in two places.
One is in the banjo fitting on the master cylinder. Wrap a rag aound the junction, pull the lever in, crack the bolt loose, and retighten.
repeat as necessary. If you get bubbles, count your self as lucky.

The second place they like to hide in in the clutch cover. Take the clutch cover off the bike, but leave the hose attached. Point the bleeder valve to the highest postion and open it up. Since you can't really pull the lever when its off, as the piston will come out and you will start all over again, use a brake bleeder that uses vacuum.

Another thing I have done is pull the lever down agains the bar, and tie a strap around it over night. Forgot the exact theory behind this, but has worked for me on occaision.

Cheers,

Marinus · Post by **Marinus** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:18 am

This only works if the air is in the top end of the system but when I do the front break I take the whole handle assembly off and suspend the leaver from the roof or prop it up against the front screen. The next morning all the air is gone. Top up the reservoir and your done.

Remember only works if the air is at the top on the clutch. On the front break the air will come up all the way from the bottom over night. No more trying to bleed that stange setup from below.

yellerduck · Post by **yellerduck** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:38 am

I am familiar with the methods mentioned above but I have taken things a step farther. I took my clutch cover off, put two clear lines: one on the inlet goint to a can of brake fluid and one bleed hole. I ran the bleed hole tube through my vacuum pump. Still sucking gobs of air out. I even siliconed the piston area to see if it was leaking there. This is really blowing my mind. I can't seem to get the air out.

Is there anyone out there that has had bad experience getting air out of the clutch line / cover? Is this an impossible feat?

qldman36 · Post by **qldman36** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:47 am

Do you have the bleeder screw too loose so that it is sucking air in through the threads? Just a thought.

yellerduck · Post by **yellerduck** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 1:01 am

I finally got this done, if anyone is having trouble pm me.

Post by **jcslocum** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 1:44 am

Hey, no PM's!!!!!!

Let us all in on the tricks you used!!

Garnet · Post by **Garnet** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 2:52 am

Some auto repair shops have a pump that pushs fluid up from the slave (clutch) cylinder to the top (master) cylinder. Late model Ford Rangers, some Jeeps and most new GM cars use a slave cylinder that is built into the relaese bearing. They are an absolute bitch to bleed and this little hand pump was developed to push all the air up out the top with new fluid. Perhaps it will help.

Garnet

DesmoDog · Post by **DesmoDog** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:17 am

If anyone finds themselves with a clutch or brake M/C that won't bleed, try leaning the bike over to get the banjo bolt so it's not the highest point of the system before you get too carried away taking things apart or buying new tools. Don't bother with the bleed screw(s) when you're doing this, just lean the bike and slowly pump the lever.

I had problems until i tried this on my 907, my 900ss, and my 750 GT. I had to delete the bleed screw on the clutch of my 900ss and was still able to bleed the system simply by leaning the bike.