Clutch Problems

[Egon]

Coming back up the road last night the clutch starts playing up. I was having real problems down shifting as the clutch wasn't dis engaging unless the lever was pumped half a dozen times or so

There is signs of leakage around the outside of the slave cylinder and I was looking at changing the banjo washers.

The bike is now on 44k and i was wondering if it would be worth changing the slave cylinder itself whilst I'm in there or would this just be a waste of money

Its an 02 1150 btw

 

[RickG]

The slave cylinder should be good for a lot longer but obviously it depends if you've spent 44k in a city or on the open road. Mine did 120k without problems doing an equal mix of city and motorway use. If you are stripping it off the bike you could have a look at the bore. If it's scored or corroded then change it.

 

[Big Lad]

Make sure the gear lever linkage is not seized. Try with your hand (not on the move ) to see if the lever is moving freely. Worth a go as it's a common problem.

 

[Voyager]

My clutch slave cylinder went on the way back from Morocco/Spain last October, but it kindly held until I was on the M6 heading North from Plymouth.

By the time I got to within 30 miles of Edinburgh I could only change gear if I pumped the lever really quickly, then it would engage - but I couldn't slip the clutch for more than a couple of seconds. I had to push the bike through road junctions, traffic lights etc.

The bike (2004 GSA) had done about 18,000 miles by then. When I removed the slave cylinder it was leaking and appeared to be full of dirt. I fitted a new one (around £80 for a rather tacky piece of kit). So far so good (its only done 2,000 miles since).

I had tried bleeding it (the fluid coming out was almost black and had a lot of very small bubbles in it), but it only lasted for a few miles before the problem returned.

I suggest you steel yourself for a replacement !

And have fun replacing it - I hope your hands are smaller than mine.

Bob.

 

[Steptoe]

There is signs of leakage around the outside of the slave cylinder and I was looking at changing the banjo washers.

The washers are tiny ali things, and they corrode badly causing leaks and loss of fluid pressure. So if it's leaking from that area just replace those before buying anew slave cylinder. It's 50/50 if it's those leaking or a fecked slave cylinder.
Don't forget the clutch hose also corrodes merrily away underneth the rubber outer hose which holds the water - Nice design.
Cut the rubber outer off while your in the area. Pics below.







What it should look like

[/QUOTE]

 

[Egon]

Cheers for the response guys

Had a look last night and the input banjo from the lever looks pretty corroded and that's where the fluid appears to be coming from so I think I'll go with Steppers on this one and change the washers first