Slipping clutch?

stoney · Mar 15, 2009

Took delivery of a 3400 mile 2006 Tuono yesterday. Love it - great bike - looks lovely and goes well.

I had a problem this morning, it seemed that when I wound the power on the clutch was slipping, like riding the clutch or driving an automatic car.

The revs would surge yet the power was low. This was from leaving the house and for about 70 miles.

We stopped for lunch and then bike was fine after that, only doing it once or twice on the 70 mile fast ride home.

The clutch fluid is very dark, the bike has been stood a while and I gave it a gentle wash yesterday.

Does it sound like a knackered clutch or something more straight-forward/cheaper to fix?

B o B · Mar 16, 2009

I would reckon you just need to bleed the clutch. Dark fluid is a common thing, (do a search) and bleeding it will become a fairly regular requirement. 10 minute job and I guess you'll be fine.

Nice looking bike too.

stoney · Mar 16, 2009

So what would happen if you didn't bleed the clutch? What problem does it cause and what are the symptoms?

So apart from bleeding clutches and rear brakes every two minutes what else do I need to be looking out for?

Cheers for the comment on the bike - it does look gorgeous from head to toe.

B o B · Mar 16, 2009

If you didn't bleed it (the clutch) is makes the gears a bit 'sticky' to select. You only need bleed it when the fluid is quite black. The frequency depends on your riding. Happily, it's not every 2 minutes. I do mine about twice a year. Once bled you will feel a difference when selecting gears. Just feels smoother.

Once your back brake has been bled correctly, that should be it! If it works properly now, then forget about it.

stoney · Mar 16, 2009

I phoned the main Aprilia dealer this morning (Moto Strada Shipley) and they couldnt have been less helpful. They said they would have no chance to even look at it for 2 weeks. SO I phoned the garage that was the Aprilia dealer before them (Hobbsport - formerly BFM), they said to bring it up and they'd try and figure the problem out. I got there he immediately pulled the lever and said it was adjusted badly, the adjuster was screwed right in tight.He took it all apart, re-set it and hey presto.

Just been for a 100mile balst and its totally different. Power very smooth right from the bottom but sooooooo much more pull and torque.

Well chuffed - ta for for the pointers!

Perry · Mar 17, 2009

G'day Stoney
It must be the same all over the world "poor customer service" crap we all have to put up with. Same problem here. Once you workout the knowledgable mechanics from the grease monkeys :crazy, pass the word.:megaphone

Search

Search

Slipping clutch?

stoney

B o B

stoney

B o B

stoney

Perry

Similar threads

New Posts