Hi All, I wondered if any of you could give me some advice regarding the clutch on my 2003 999S. The lever is working exactly as it always has, but it doesn't transfer the same amount of movement to the clutch plate as it used to. I've just ridden 100+ miles, and it is usable, but the gears have become a bit notchy and its almost impossible to get into neutral. I'm thinking of bleeding it as soon as I can get some fluid, but I wondered if there is anything else I should check first. The only things I've done to it lately have been to clean it and adjust the chain. Cheers then! Steve
Sounds like it needs bleeding, it's not disengaging correctly so probably air in the system... No signs of leaks anywhere?
Thanks Freak No leaks that I can see, but I've only had a very quick look whilst putting it in the garage. I'll have a bit more time tomorrow, hopefully. I've never bled the clutch before, but I'm hoping it's going to be an easy fix!
it could be leaking at the crankcase end, it's worth checking the seal hasn't gone on the slave cylinder.
Thanks again for your replies. I've just bled a whole load of fluid through, which all came out clear and air-free, and made no difference. I then cracked the bleed nipple in the reservoir which released some air, and the clutch action is back to how it was originally. Without your post Mr C, I wouldn't have touched the reservoir one, as I didn't know it was a bleed nipple! I guess that the air will slowly get back in there, and that I need a permanent solution. Do you know if there's an alternative master cylinder that makes the lever action a bit easier?
Your looking at the best part of £200 for an upgraded M/C you could go for a larger bore slave cylinder. Personally i dont mind the heavy clutch
Not sure if it helps but have you checked the push rod and bearings on the pressure plate? I asked for some help regarding my 749 clutch and some of the guys here suggested that. It may need some grease to stop the push rod from spinning. If it spins, it raises the temperature and causes air in the system. On another note, the Oberon master cylinder isn't as heavy as stock.
Its possible your clutch pack thickness needs looking at , have you got any spare plates , i'm thinking that you might need another .5mm which you could get by removing your dished plate , if its a std 999 clutch pack the dished plate will be the thinner 1.5mm one ( with a dot stamped into it). If you have some spare 2mm plates you could try swapping the dished for that to see how it is . That may give you the answer you need .
I think my clutch plates should be ok, as it hasn't been many miles since I had them out and changed some to get the right thickness. For £200 I'm thinking I love my heavy clutch!!
My Oberon slave cylinder didn't cost the Earth and it transformed my clutch into something wonderful. Much nicer now :smile:
Ah. Don't try to buy them direct from Oberon, that's a real pain. If I recall correctly, I got mine from here, though I contacted them direct, I didn't go via eBay. No problem with the service I got, spot on.
