Hello everyone! Something odd has been happening and I'm just not sure what it is. I don't know what I'm describing so finding info is difficult. I have a 1989 1500. When I'm in traffic or at a long light, and in gear, the engagement length of my clutch gets shorter and shorter. So usually it'll engage at about the halfway mark, but if I keep the clutch lever in for an extended period of time (between 1-3 minutes) the engagement will happen almost immediately. And after a while the bike will creep and I can't get the bike out of gear. I have to ride a bit, fully engaged to "reset" the clutch. Has anyone ever experienced this? I did replace the master cylinder push rod, bushing and rubber boot with no change in the clutch. Just watched Scott's video on the clutch slave cylinder and think maybe that's the issue. I just don't see a lower level of fluid. Any help would be great!
Barry
Clutch slip?
-
the_big_h
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 7:35 pm
- Location: Gads Hill, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1984 GL1200 Aspencade
1999 GL1500 Aspencade
1984 VF1100S Sabre
Re: Clutch slip?
If the fluid level is not going down (over a few weeks) in the reservoir, then the problem is not in the slave cylinder. Yes, if the slave was leaking you would get the same symptoms, but the fluid that leaked down would not come back into the system - it would leak out onto the ground, so the reservoir would progressively get lower and lower.
The problem is in the master cylinder - while you are holding the clutch disengaged (lever pulled), the fluid is leaking past the primary cup back into the reservoir, allowing the clutch to slowly become more and more engaged. When you release the lever, the piston grabs a complete gulp of fluid from the reservoir again, allowing full disengagement until it leaks back again.
You mentioned replacing the "push rod, bushing, and boot". From this I assume you did not replace the internal cups of the master cylinder. That's the part you actually need to change. This would essentially be a "master cylinder rebuild".
The problem is in the master cylinder - while you are holding the clutch disengaged (lever pulled), the fluid is leaking past the primary cup back into the reservoir, allowing the clutch to slowly become more and more engaged. When you release the lever, the piston grabs a complete gulp of fluid from the reservoir again, allowing full disengagement until it leaks back again.
You mentioned replacing the "push rod, bushing, and boot". From this I assume you did not replace the internal cups of the master cylinder. That's the part you actually need to change. This would essentially be a "master cylinder rebuild".
-
WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 23579
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer - Contact:
Re: Clutch slip?
It is almost always that piston cup in the master cylinder that causes this, but it could also be pitting and corrosion inside the master cylinder wall which that cup seals against.
-
Bhink1100
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2019 9:35 am
- Location: United States
- Motorcycle: 1981 gl1100
1982 gl1100
1989 gl1500
Re: Clutch slip?
I cannot thank you enough for your responses. I will order a rebuild kit and get on it. Scott's video is very clear and precise so I'll follow his lead and let you know how it pans out. Thanks again!
Barry
Barry