Hi all. I've been having some clutch problems. The gear box often felt very notchy and I often could not find neutral or at worst couldn't get it out of 1st gear while stationary. This was particularly evident after a high speed blast. I was advised to try bleeding the clutch so I did. Well, I just seem to continuously get air bubbles coming through. I've put loads of fluid through but still get air. I'm topping up the reservoir, putting a little pressure on the lever then opening the nipple then closing it to release the lever. I've been at it for hours! Any advice??
It does sound like air in the system, are you sure everything is tight maybe replace the copper crush washers??
Which multi is it? If there's a bleed nipple on the master cylinder, bleed from there before the slave. If not, wrap a rag around the banjo on the master and undo the banjo a little, pull the lever, lock it off and release the lever.... Use the banjo like a bleed nipple.
I've checked everything is tight but assumed that any leak would show up under pressure as a fluid leak?
It's a 1200. Yea, I've bled from the master but still continue to get air from slave. Presume I'm looking for absolutely no air? I've put about 500ml through it but never really seems to get rid of it. Is my bleeding technique?
If my experience is anything to go by, you need to bleed the master first. I couldn't get anywhere till I'd bled the master.
Well I did it at the weekend. Did the slave first then the master - spot on, really nice and smooth now... This was how my Ducati tech at the dealers advised me to do it
there's no hard and fast rule, but if the master has significant air in it, then bleeding the slave is either slow, or never happens. It's important to make sure both are free from air. Also worth a listen for any noises from the master or slave that could sound like fluid or air escaping when the lever is pulled.
Well, I've tried various methods of bleeding and I just constantly get air through. If I pull the lever slower I get less, but that's about as good as it gets. I gave up and rode it and its no better. Could the seals in the master cylinder be letting in air even though I have no fluid leak?
In short...Yes. If you've tried bleeding it to no avail, could be the seals in the master cylinder. Have you replaced the levers at all?
Hi, All the bikes Ive owned with hydraulic clutches I find are best bled with the slave in your hand. If you have fluid in the system you can simply actuate the piston in and out to force air and fluid up whist slightly rotating the unit to ensure the all the air makes its way to the banjo. After all, that's the direction air wants to travel,,,up! Just keep an eye on the reservoir.
No new levers and still no joy. I've just tried the 'slave in the hand' method and it works fine but I still end up with a load of air back in the line. Oh, and I've torn all my remaining hair out too!
