Clutch Problem

[Guy]

Over the past couple of days, I've noticed that the biting point is right at the limit of the clutch lever. There is no clutch slip when riding, even under hard acceleration but the slightest touch on the lever begins to engage the clutch.

I've done some searching on this site and I've checked that the lever is not touching the handguard and that the fluid reservoir is not over full. What I have noticed though is that the fluid is black in colour, although from what I have read that doesn't necessarily suggest there is a particular problem either.

Does anyone have any ideas what might be wrong? Am I right in thinking that as it's a hydraulic clutch there is nothing that can be adjusted?

Thanks

 

[Timolgra]

Check your clutch fluid level is not too high

 

[Bronco Billy]

Check your clutch fluid level is not too high

and that your lever isn`t touching the handguard ........

 

[Guy]

I've done some searching on this site and I've checked that the lever is not touching the handguard and that the fluid reservoir is not over full.

I've already checked both of those things and they seem OK.

 

[Bronco Billy]

Yes but have you checked the Handguard isn`t touching (http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154293
Fantastic news for Altzheimer's disease sufferers... - ::. UKGS'er.com .:

 

[turbine_2]

Mine started going black just before the slave cylinder detatched itself.

On the other hand, have you checked the fulid level, handguards and ....

 

[Guy]

Mine started going black just before the slave cylinder detatched itself.

On the other hand, have you checked the fulid level, handguards and ....

I checked it in better light this morning and it's more a very dark murky green colour. Was the biting point right at the limit of the lever when your slave cylinder gave up?

Good point about the handguards and fluid, I'll go check them now......

 

[turbine_2]

Biting point has always been close to the limit of the lever, what I did find was that while filtering the bite point was shifting at the end as the fluid leaked out. Once it was fixed the bite point was a bit further back which took some getting used to but the fade had been gradual.

 

[Guy]

Is it possible to check the slave cylinder for leaks without dismantling the rear of the bike? I've not noticed any fluid under the bike when it's parked.

 

[ricardo]

Similar symptoms before my slave unit gave up the ghost. Bled new fluid through and got about 1000miles before it went again (in the Ardeche). Again bled the fluid through and it was black and dirty. Managed to get back to Zeebrugge though. Although the slave was knackered it didn't leak any fluid...

 

[ricardo]

Thinking about it... and it's taken a while... my clutch biting point gradually came back to the bars as opposed to moving out to the limit of travel.

 

[Voyager]

Thinking about it... and it's taken a while... my clutch biting point gradually came back to the bars as opposed to moving out to the limit of travel.

Then it gets to the point where you have to pump the lever just to get it into gear - then you're off !

Mine packed up on the way back from Morocco/Spain last year. It started getting bad on the A38 near Plymouth but got me to Carstairs (Lanarkshire).

The last 30 miles to home (in the dark and the rain, naturally) were 'interesting', fortunately there wasn't much traffic about and all bar one set of traffic lights were in my favour.

It was first and second gear only though.

I bled the system and the old fluid was black, but it only lasted a few miles. I changed the slave cylinder and it has been OK since.

I stripped the old slave cylinder and wasn't impressed with the quality.

Bob.

 

[turbine_2]

Is it possible to check the slave cylinder for leaks without dismantling the rear of the bike? I've not noticed any fluid under the bike when it's parked.

Not sure, I know it's a pain to get to though. I was (un)lucky in that when mine started the actual leaking stage it was leaking externally.

 

[Guy]

Thanks for all the info, the biting point seems to have moved back a fraction from the end of the lever, it's also due a service next week so I'm going to leave it until after the service and see how things are.