Clutch doesn't disengage :(

Over winter all the brake fluid in the clutch leaked out of the slave cylinder...(I'm new to RSVR ownership)

I found out one day when I fired it up and the clutch did nothing and I had to put some pressure on the gear lever to get the bike into neutral....then I took a look at the empty reservoir and hey presto

So I bought an Oberon replacement slave and have fitted it and refilled the clutch using the 'syringe' method.

I have bled at both the master and the slave each 3 or 4 times. No bubbles come out.

I have turned the slave on its side and pumped the piston in after pushing it out with the clutch lever a number of times (at first squeezing the clutch lever didn't push out the piston though)

The piston in the new slave at this moment only moves circa 4mm when I squeeze the clutch, is that right?

Is it basically that there is still air left in the system which I can't get out?

Please help as I'm desperate to get back on the road. The only time I've ridden the bike is to get it home back in August last year and the gearbox was perfect.

Sounds like air still in system.Pressure bleeder is way to go . the one you plug onto tyre.
Have you tried pumping it up then releasing bleed screws or on e pump open then lock way ?

I have pumped the clutch lever then released as well as opening the nipple on the master, squeezing then locking.

One thing I have noticed just now comparing new with old, the old piston sticks out 1cm at rest and moves freely.

The Oberon didn't out the box and still doesn't move freely. It seems as though the oberon piston may be stuck??

The Oberon piston was flat in line with the cylinder and is still that way...

I'll re-bleed it again tomorrow and see if that helps..

Hi cassius
I can't remember how my Oberon unit looked out of the box but I'm pretty sure it should have more movement than your describing. I found it really easy to bleed took a a few reservoirs but then it was bang on and I haven't had to touch it again so I think it might be faulty if you have done as you say on the bleeding. Worth another go with the syringe but if it still dosnt work I'd send it back mate.

Will do badapple thanks

No problem let me know how you get on

Oh dear...I've put the original slave back on...pre-filled it with brake fluid...then followed the oberon method of 6 pulls on the lever, cracked open the bleeder till no more bubbles, closed and repeated until only fluid comes out.

The clutch lever was very soft at this point. So, then bled at the master until again, no more bubbles.Now the lever isn't spongy.

But even now when I put the bike into first, pulling on the clutch still doesn't do anything, so I still dont have a working clutch??

I took off the slave to check and the piston comes out on itd own accord so there is free movement and pressure behind it?

Could there be something wrong with the pushrod it pushes on?

Cassius said:

Oh dear...I've put the original slave back on...pre-filled it with brake fluid...then followed the oberon method of 6 pulls on the lever, cracked open the bleeder till no more bubbles, closed and repeated until only fluid comes out.

The clutch lever was very soft at this point. So, then bled at the master until again, no more bubbles.Now the lever isn't spongy.

But even now when I put the bike into first, pulling on the clutch still doesn't do anything, so I still dont have a working clutch??

I took off the slave to check and the piston comes out on itd own accord so there is free movement and pressure behind it?

Could there be something wrong with the pushrod it pushes on?

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Hmmmmm that's not good. I'm no expert far from it but if it's still not working I would imagine you have a deeper problem. Perhaps the pushrod or the clutch basket itself. Sorry I can't help anymore hopefully someone more knowledgeable can.

Could my clutch plates have seized over winter?

Clutch had seized, now sorted!! Did the old put it in gear on the stand and apply rear brake trick. Now back to the Oberon...lol...what a mission

Cassius said:

Clutch had seized, now sorted!! Did the old put it in gear on the stand and apply rear brake trick. Now back to the Oberon...lol...what a mission

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Sounds like it but at least it was only time and not money spent and your now back on the road nice one.

Very true, I'm trying to do a lot more myself rather than be let down by a garage. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I've experienced excellent service, but sometimes I haven't and for minor stuff like this why not do it myself? It's all part of the joy of ownership :thumbup

Cassius said:

Very true, I'm trying to do a lot more myself rather than be let down by a garage. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I've experienced excellent service, but sometimes I haven't and for minor stuff like this why not do it myself? It's all part of the joy of ownership :thumbup

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Always worth a go especially as there are plenty of people willing to help if they can on here someone else has usually come across the same problem and how to fix it.