Just one addition to step 4: don't let the reservoir run dry - keep it full of fluid while the fluid is running out the bleeder. If you let it run dry you're just letting more air get into the line.
help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
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- Alan_Hepburn
- Posts: 226
- Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2016 10:56 am
- Location: San Jose, Ca, USA
- Motorcycle: 1994 GL1500SE with a California Sidecar
Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
Alan Hepburn - San Jose, Ca
1994 GL1500SE with a California Sidecar
1994 GL1500SE with a California Sidecar
- hap2
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
ok thanx...will do that
- hap2
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
BTW, My bleeder bolt (down by the alternator) is a 10 mm, not 8. So glad I had a small 10 mm open / box end wrench.
- hap2
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
I did all the steps listed below & still nothing.
Here's the steps I followed:
In order,
1 pull the clutch lever & release
2 pull the clutch lever & hold it pulled (with elastic bands or whatever)
3 open bleeder screw
4 wait for all fluid to drain out
(don't let the reservoir run dry - keep it full of fluid while the fluid is running out the bleeder. If you let it run dry you're just letting more air get in)
5 close bleeder screw
6 then release lever & fill resevour
Just one addition to step 4: don't let the reservoir run dry - keep it full of fluid while the fluid is running out the bleeder. If you let it run dry you're just letting more air get into the line.
Just one thing I can think of...MAYBE I didn’t have the bleeder tube below the level of the fluid in the bottle? (so air got back into the line?)
I think I'll invest in a one-man bleeder kit!
Here's the steps I followed:
In order,
1 pull the clutch lever & release
2 pull the clutch lever & hold it pulled (with elastic bands or whatever)
3 open bleeder screw
4 wait for all fluid to drain out
(don't let the reservoir run dry - keep it full of fluid while the fluid is running out the bleeder. If you let it run dry you're just letting more air get in)
5 close bleeder screw
6 then release lever & fill resevour
Just one addition to step 4: don't let the reservoir run dry - keep it full of fluid while the fluid is running out the bleeder. If you let it run dry you're just letting more air get into the line.
Just one thing I can think of...MAYBE I didn’t have the bleeder tube below the level of the fluid in the bottle? (so air got back into the line?)
I think I'll invest in a one-man bleeder kit!
- DenverWinger
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Past rides
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1978 Suzuki GS-550 (1985-2005) sold
1977 GL-1000 (2002-2006) sold
Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
I did mention, "Repeat as needed". Absolutely try repeated pulling clutch lever to see if you can pump any pressure up before holing lever and opening bleeder....
Another thing to try is after pumping up the pressure, crack open the hydraulic line fitting ("Banjo Bolt") at the clutch master cylinder to see if you get any air bubbles out of that. Be ready to catch fluid and not get any on the paint, Brake fluid loves paint and ABS plastic for lunch. Brake fluid eats paint!.
Another thing to try is after pumping up the pressure, crack open the hydraulic line fitting ("Banjo Bolt") at the clutch master cylinder to see if you get any air bubbles out of that. Be ready to catch fluid and not get any on the paint, Brake fluid loves paint and ABS plastic for lunch. Brake fluid eats paint!.
♫ 99 Little Bugs in the Code, ♪
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫
♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪
~Mark
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫

♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪

~Mark
- hap2
- Posts: 803
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:00 pm
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
OK, I'll try again for the 3rd time & this next time, pump the clutch 5X before opening the valve
Do u suggest getting a one-man brake bleeding kit or a mityvac?
Do u suggest getting a one-man brake bleeding kit or a mityvac?
- hap2
- Posts: 803
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:00 pm
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- Motorcycle: 1992 GoldWing 1500SE
Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
What a pain this is for a novice like me
- DenverWinger
- Posts: 583
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Past rides
1972 CL-350 (1980-1988) sold
1978 Suzuki GS-550 (1985-2005) sold
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
The Mityvac's are good, but no reason you can't bleed the system manually. Unless, that is, you have a fault in either the master cylinder or the slave. In either case, a rebuild kit is likely in order....
From repeated pumping of the clutch handle, are you losing fluid? That says either a line or the slave is leaking.
On the other hand, if after pumping up the clutch handle and you can't get a squirt of something out of the bleeder on the slave cylinder, says the master cylinder is not pumping.
On the third hand, if so far you've got nothing at all to come out of the bleeder, the bleeder itself might be plugged.
Use logic and work this through, you will be happily successful!
The fluid has to go "somewhere" when you pull the handle.... even if it's just leaking past master cylinder piston seals and going back to the reservoir.
From repeated pumping of the clutch handle, are you losing fluid? That says either a line or the slave is leaking.
On the other hand, if after pumping up the clutch handle and you can't get a squirt of something out of the bleeder on the slave cylinder, says the master cylinder is not pumping.
On the third hand, if so far you've got nothing at all to come out of the bleeder, the bleeder itself might be plugged.
Use logic and work this through, you will be happily successful!

♫ 99 Little Bugs in the Code, ♪
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫
♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪
~Mark
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫

♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪

~Mark
- hap2
- Posts: 803
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
Fluid is coming out of the bleeder when I pump. When I release, it comes out faster for some reason.
No squirting or leaks anywhere.
No squirting or leaks anywhere.
- hap2
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
If i continue to not have success at my efforts, I'll just pay someone to load it on a trailer & take it to my mechanic guy whose 60 mi away, but very good at both work & price
- DenverWinger
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1978 Suzuki GS-550 (1985-2005) sold
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
Starting to sound like failed master cylinder.
♫ 99 Little Bugs in the Code, ♪
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫
♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪
~Mark
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫

♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪

~Mark
- hap2
- Posts: 803
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:00 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta
- Motorcycle: 1992 GoldWing 1500SE
Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
The good news is, on the 3rd try, I was able to bleed the bike clutch by myself...took about 20 min, so now I can ride it. (So master cylinder is still good)
I used this method & just made sure the tube stayed the bottom under fluid.
1 connect hose
2 counter-clockwise loop hose & hold loop together with zip tie
3 loosen valve
4 then remove reservoir cover & fill up reservoir
5 secure clutch lever with elastic
6 keep refilling reservoir 3X until you see no bubbles & clear fluid
7 tighten valve
8 remove hose
9 put reservoir top back on
Thank you all for the help.
I used this method & just made sure the tube stayed the bottom under fluid.
1 connect hose
2 counter-clockwise loop hose & hold loop together with zip tie
3 loosen valve
4 then remove reservoir cover & fill up reservoir
5 secure clutch lever with elastic
6 keep refilling reservoir 3X until you see no bubbles & clear fluid
7 tighten valve
8 remove hose
9 put reservoir top back on
Thank you all for the help.
- hap2
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
The little rubber cap covering up the bleeding valve has gone missing. Does anyone know where I can get another one or what I can cover it up with (that will stay) in the meantime?
Thanks
Thanks
- AZgl1800
- Posts: 1504
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
get a piece of vacuum line, put a dab of silicone on one end of it, slip it over, and it is good for life...
or until you find the little cap again.
or until you find the little cap again.
~John
- hap2
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
Thank you very much. I appreciate it
- WingAdmin
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
With all the hassle involved in bleeding brakes and clutches, especially on hard to do ones like on the split-braking systems, to me, having a Mity-Vac and the time saved, is worth the expense. I can fill and bleed a completely dry system with a Mity-Vac in minutes, the first time, every time, by myself. It works.
- hap2
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- Motorcycle: 1992 GoldWing 1500SE
Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
In my case if it’s a real emergency I do it manually without the expense of a mityvac. Usually, just pay someone to do it and it’s done right I don’t have to worry about it. Then I’m done with it and all is good
- RockportDave
- Posts: 293
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- Location: Rockport Texas
- Motorcycle: 1999 GL1500 SE
Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
Years back we realized bleeding the clutch and brakes (especially the foot brake) was easier with a hand vacuum pump. MityVac or even the cheaper version from Harbor Freight works real good. We also found we got a “better pedal” on the foot break by using a hand vac pump. The travel on the foot pedal would be a lot longer bleeding conventionally verses the hand pump. Using the vacuum pump pulled the fluid through the system helping to get all the air out.
Which ever way you do it, be sure to keep fluid in the reservoir and use DOT 4 fluid.
Dave
Which ever way you do it, be sure to keep fluid in the reservoir and use DOT 4 fluid.
Dave
1999 GL1500SE 5th Goldwing through the years
- hap2
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- Motorcycle: 1992 GoldWing 1500SE
Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
Right u r. Can I re-use the bled fluid or just toss it?
- RockportDave
- Posts: 293
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:39 pm
- Location: Rockport Texas
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
Use it to start a campfire. The fluid in these systems should be replaced whenever the color is getting darker. Brake fluid even in a sealed system will start to get moisture and if left too long will start corroding the system.
Dave
Dave
1999 GL1500SE 5th Goldwing through the years
- hap2
- Posts: 803
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:00 pm
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- Motorcycle: 1992 GoldWing 1500SE
Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
ok thanx..It's been 2 yrs, so I guess I shud get the brake, engine, & rear end fluid changed
- RockportDave
- Posts: 293
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:39 pm
- Location: Rockport Texas
- Motorcycle: 1999 GL1500 SE
Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
If your brake fluids look clear and all is working correctly no need to rush into it.
There are good articles in the dyi sections that give great info on maintenance and also a service manual is one of the best tools to have.
Dave
There are good articles in the dyi sections that give great info on maintenance and also a service manual is one of the best tools to have.
Dave
1999 GL1500SE 5th Goldwing through the years
- hap2
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- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:00 pm
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Re: help bleeding / flushing 1500 clutch
Gotta b done eventually anyway. I've got plans to do it, so y not?