Clutch biteing point changes as you ride

tristan · Jun 29, 2011

Hi i have just got home from a 200mile round trip. on my travels the clutch lever biteing point gets closer to the bar( to the point that it touches and each gear change isnt smooth). after 100miles i stopped and bleed the clutch and it was perfect again. then in 50 mile time the clutch bite is back at the bar again.

what is up with it why would the biteing point change? i have read many other q&a on this forum on clutch probs but none that really describe the same thing as this.
Could it be the slave leaking? (its dry to the touch) or an air lock somewhere? also the fluid in the reservoir is again black after changing the fluid about 350mile ago on a service! why is it black so soon? it was fresh brand new fluid i used.

Im abit concerned that bike is getting un reliable as i spend more time tinkering than actually riding it!
Any advice would be welcome

tris

Graveltrap · Jun 30, 2011

It does sound like a failing slave cylinder seal. Check for fluid below the slave cylinder and in the recess above the front sprocket cover.

If you can get the part (I got one an evilbay last year), they are a pretty easy job. There are a number of threads about how hard it is to bleed the clutch once the slave seal is replaced, but there is a bleed nipple on the lever as well as the slave, use that after the bubbles stop comming from the slave bleed niple and it should be sorted (you could also try bleeding here before replacing the salve seal).

Spoonz · Jun 30, 2011

Black fluid is normal. It's contamination from seals and aluminium from the M/C and slave. It has no negative effect on your fluid other than visually.

Your problem is either air getting in via the slave or M/C seals or your not getting all the air out when you bleed. = Air heats up, expands, loose clutch pressure.

If it's a radial M/C they are well known for M/C seal issues. I had mine replaced twice under warranty.

tristan · Jun 30, 2011

thanks for your advice i will have agood look tonight and try bleeding it and looking for the second nipple. ill let you know how i get on.

tristan · Jun 30, 2011

hi i have just bleed the clutch, and its working again,but for how long???? i have had a look for the 2nd nipple and there isnt one!! also had a look to see if the clutch casing was loose but it isnt.(thats after reading loads of threads on here) the slave isnt leaking at all and the fluid in the reservoir isnt droping so defo no leak! im thinking either master cylinder seals on the way out and cant hold hot fluid, or slave seals worn and not holding enough pressure. i may buy an mpl slave anyway to see if it cures it,tho not sure yet.

Graveltrap · Jun 30, 2011

You would know if it had a bleed nipple on the master cylinder as it sit on top! Mines an 05 RSVR.

Maybe they fitted one on the newer RSVR after the old one was a bugger to bleed!

andirsv1 · Jun 30, 2011

1998-2000 = no M/C nipple!!!

tristan · Jun 30, 2011

mines an 02 so maybe at some point its been changed? gona ride it to work today to see what happens

andirsv1 · Jun 30, 2011

tristan said:
mines an 02 so maybe at some point its been changed? gona ride it to work today to see what happens

Sorry bud, that should have read 98-03 (Gen 1 Mille) = no nipple!!

ninja609 · Jul 1, 2011

although there is no nipple on the master cylinder you can still bleed it on your '02 tristan. i had the same issue with my '02 rsvr after replacing the slave cylinder for an oberon unit. to bleed at the master cylinder just pull the clutch lever in and hold, then crack off the banjo bolt that comes out of m/c and connects to the brake hose. this is a high spot in the system. tighten the bolt straight back up, release the handle and your done, takes 30 seconds. just make sure you cover the area well as brake fluid will seep out. i did this once approx 4 months ago and not had a problem since.

tristan · Jul 2, 2011

Thanks ninja609 glad to here you fixed it and that you can pass on your knowledge. ill try that and see if it cures it, im still tempted to buy a mpl up rated slave so the lever is lighter in traffic, and for clutch up wheelies! he he

Search

Search

Clutch biteing point changes as you ride

tristan

Graveltrap

Spoonz

tristan

tristan

Graveltrap

andirsv1

tristan

andirsv1

ninja609

tristan

Similar threads

New Posts