Severe Clutch Woes

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PBBoxer
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Severe Clutch Woes

Post by PBBoxer »

Help!
Over the past couple of months Ive noticed a reduction on efficiency on the clutch ie its been biting closer and closer to the bar.
Today I rode the bike for the first time in a couple of weeks and for the first 30 miles the clutch was fine, however even when the lever is right back into the bars It seemed to happen very suddenly, so bad that the bike stalls.
Found that by pumping the lever loads I could just about get it not to stall, but Im flimmoxed as to whats wrong.
Anyone any ideas please? I cant imagine it being too much or a serious problem but I am struggling to work out what it is. I had new fluid and the system bled a couple of months ago and it improved a bit but only for a short time.
1997 CBR1100XXV
1999 CBR1100XX
2009 HP2 Sport
2006 R1200s
2013 R1200RT anniversary
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Jason M
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Re: Severe Clutch Woes

Post by Jason M »

PBBoxer wrote:Help!
Over the past couple of months Ive noticed a reduction on efficiency on the clutch ie its been biting closer and closer to the bar.
Today I rode the bike for the first time in a couple of weeks and for the first 30 miles the clutch was fine, however even when the lever is right back into the bars It seemed to happen very suddenly, so bad that the bike stalls.
Found that by pumping the lever loads I could just about get it not to stall, but Im flimmoxed as to whats wrong.
Anyone any ideas please? I cant imagine it being too much or a serious problem but I am struggling to work out what it is. I had new fluid and the system bled a couple of months ago and it improved a bit but only for a short time.
Paul - The clutch system is SOooooo simple it can't be that bad. Maybe there is a leak at the clutch slave cylinder and air is getting in. You can take of the starter and the clutch slave cylinder in about 10 minutes. You could try bleeding it through the bleed valve usually found hanging around the CFrame by the shocker. As it goes, with my bike in pieces, I could post a picture of the little blighter. I was showing Andy how it works today and we launched the circlip accross the garage :oops: Cant be a big/expensive problem(hopefully). I can do very reasonable rates :P

Jason
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gus
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Post by gus »

Sounds like you have a leak.I would hazard a guess at the clutch slave cylinder.
gus
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PBBoxer
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Post by PBBoxer »

Thanks very much for the replies. I'll try to find the slave cylinder then :oops:

At times like this I wish I were even half able to mechanic
1997 CBR1100XXV
1999 CBR1100XX
2009 HP2 Sport
2006 R1200s
2013 R1200RT anniversary
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hjr1100s
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Location: Holten, Netherlands

Post by hjr1100s »

Hmmm. Similar problem over here. Clutch does dis-engage when pulling the lever, but re-engages after a few moments... giving some scary moments while waiting for a crossroad :shock:

HJ
theseadog
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Post by theseadog »

Old Fluid ? if there's no obvious leak then flush through and replace it, else slave cylinder.
Last edited by theseadog on Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Cheers
PAul

Keep it sticky side down.

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hjr1100s
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Post by hjr1100s »

Slave cilinder 's been replaced ... problem solved!

Whoe! Multistrada, BACK IN THE SHED!! This is the season for the TOUGH BIKES! :P

HJ
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PBBoxer
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Post by PBBoxer »

All stripped down today and the bottom of the slave cylinder is covered in thick black gunk.
The top reservoir is also full of black sludgy liquid. The fluid was only changed 2 months ago but was the same then.
Dont know if its the gearbox seal and crap coming all the way up to the the (doubt it) or maybe a prob on top piston and sludge going down... at a loss really. There was some sort of residue on the top reservoir aswell, almos looked like aluminium. Cant imagine crud coming up and completely turning the liquid so sludgy within a couple of minths, can amyone else?

Any ideas?
1997 CBR1100XXV
1999 CBR1100XX
2009 HP2 Sport
2006 R1200s
2013 R1200RT anniversary
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gus
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Post by gus »

Paul
Change the slave cylinder.I would hazard a guess that the seals gone and is sucking in air/clutch dust/road crap and contaminating the whole system.
gus
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PBBoxer
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Post by PBBoxer »

Thanks Gus,
Jason has very kindly furnished me with a cylinder. I'll change it, am just really concerned how all the crud has managed to get alll the way up beyond the top piston aswell.
Suppose time will soon tell!!
1997 CBR1100XXV
1999 CBR1100XX
2009 HP2 Sport
2006 R1200s
2013 R1200RT anniversary
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adamski49
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Post by adamski49 »

PB

Does this thread from ukGSer help?

Adam :)
Forgive me father for I have sinned... ex S owner moved onto pastures new with four cylinders and a chain... and back to a twin, albeit in a V.
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PBBoxer
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Post by PBBoxer »

Thanks a lot Adam, will check it out. Am suspecting rubber breaking down, but any ideas welcome and I'll have a look asap
1997 CBR1100XXV
1999 CBR1100XX
2009 HP2 Sport
2006 R1200s
2013 R1200RT anniversary
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hjr1100s
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Location: Holten, Netherlands

Post by hjr1100s »

Dont know if its the gearbox seal and crap coming all the way up
My mechanic told me that if the problem re-occurs within a few months after replacing the slave cilinder (meaning, the seal leaking again), it is likely that the above applies: gearbox seal leaking, so that gearbox oil affects the slave cilinder sealing. If so, it's a days work to take the bike apart and replace the gearbox seal :(

HJ
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PBBoxer
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Post by PBBoxer »

Thats my main worry
Bloody shite on a 2 1/2 yr old 12000 mile bike
1997 CBR1100XXV
1999 CBR1100XX
2009 HP2 Sport
2006 R1200s
2013 R1200RT anniversary
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Jason M
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Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:56 am
Location: southampton

Post by Jason M »

PBBoxer wrote:Thats my main worry
Bloody shite on a 2 1/2 yr old 12000 mile bike
Paul - if the seal in the slave has gone, then it's quite possible that the bubbles forming in that area could carry the shit back up the lines to the resevoir - did you take the starter off and check for any crap, oil, fluid in the clutch housing? As I said - you should be able to test the cylinder in-situ I reckon to see if there is a leak.

Good luck! And.... personally I would say it would be a very LONG day to change a gearbox seal :cry: I reckon you'd see a fair bit of shit in the clutch housing if that was gone though, and that gear fluid STINKS too so I suspect you'd smell it (hopefully). You MIGHT be still getting after effects from that accident too - in case any crap got inside anywhere
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