Starting to drink clutch fluid..

Message

spiderwheels · #1 Post by **spiderwheels** » Sat Aug 09, 2014 11:17 am

...as it's more classy than beer

I filled it up a few hundred miles ago after finding it low and now it's a little way down again.

I assume that's the slave cylinder - where does the clutch fluid end up anyway? How long have I got before it pops all together?

There are some posts about buying a cheap replacement seal but should I just replace the whole unit?

Falconihlist · #2 Post by **Falconihlist** » Sat Aug 09, 2014 3:23 pm

There is a tell tale hole at the base of the slave cylinder where it joins on to the spacer plate that bolts onto the side of the gearbox. Just above the bottom bolt. The seepage will usually start to cover the side stand switch cable, and you may start noticing a small damp patch where the bike is parked up.

New seals from Aprilia run from £10-£15 depending where you get it from, 20 minute job to replace, bleed and top up

Panda · #3 Post by **Panda** » Sat Aug 09, 2014 3:38 pm

I had same problem and the tell tale dripping clutch fluid off the side stand a coupke of months back. Took off slave to fit bits of dried out grease against the seal. Cleaned it out, regreased actuation rod and all sorted. Not needed to use wee bottle of fluid I started carrying under seat.

spiderwheels · #4 Post by **spiderwheels** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 2:00 pm

Thanks. I'll try cleaning it. If no better then I won't replace the seal as I wouldn't mind making the clutch lighter with one of the factory racing slaves :)

fatboy · #5 Post by **fatboy** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 6:25 pm

Im ashamed to say I top up my clutch res every few days, I still have not fitted my MPL slave.
I did the seals on the (standard ) slave cyl about 2 years ago when it failed to hold pressure rather than be semi- continent, now it holds pressure but not fluid.
Asking how long your slave cyl will last is a bit like asking when a politician will give a straight answer.....

spiderwheels · #6 Post by **spiderwheels** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 10:40 pm

Panda wrote:I had same problem and the tell tale dripping clutch fluid off the side stand a coupke of months back. Took off slave to fit bits of dried out grease against the seal. Cleaned it out, regreased actuation rod and all sorted. Not needed to use wee bottle of fluid I started carrying under seat.

I managed to get around to popping the slave off to have a look. There is a seal that sits around the actuation rod but I can't see how this would have any effect on fluid loss. The piston would have it's own fluid seal. This actuation rod seal is more like a dust seal to stop any dirt getting back to the piston.

Tweaker · #7 Post by **Tweaker** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 12:37 pm

Had the same problem on the Fut a few weeks ago (actually lost the clutch completely which made getting home interesting!). I bought one of the Factory Racing ones off that well know auction site for £50. If you're not fussy about the colour, you could pick one up for the same price. I got one of the 'Titanium' ones, which looks very classy - except it's behind the fairing so you can't see it

Much lighter clutch action now, which is far better in town traffic.

spiderwheels · #8 Post by **spiderwheels** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:14 pm

Tweaker wrote:Had the same problem on the Fut a few weeks ago (actually lost the clutch completely which made getting home interesting!). I bought one of the Factory Racing ones off that well know auction site for £50. If you're not fussy about the colour, you could pick one up for the same price. I got one of the 'Titanium' ones, which looks very classy - except it's behind the fairing so you can't see it Much lighter clutch action now, which is far better in town traffic.

I've seen them going for £50 but according the the guff the Falco sprocket cover needs cutting or an RSV one fitting.

Falconihlist · #9 Post by **Falconihlist** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:55 pm

The Tuono sprocket cover is only a tenner from the same company.

Firestarter · #10 Post by **Firestarter** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 2:45 pm

The oberon one fits just fine with the Falco cover, surprised the the factory one doesn't. Of course, buying a fancy anodised unit which is then hidden away seems a bit pointless!

spiderwheels · #11 Post by **spiderwheels** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:32 pm

Firestarter wrote:The oberon one fits just fine with the Falco cover, surprised the the factory one doesn't. Of course, buying a fancy anodised unit which is then hidden away seems a bit pointless!

Maybe that's why it doesn't fit :)

jonnie_r · #12 Post by **jonnie_r** » Wed Sep 24, 2014 6:23 am

When I first read the thread title I thought we had a petrolhead tramp among us, though I can't imagine he would a have been here long. I should imagine it's worse for you than meths.

D-Rider · #13 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Sep 24, 2014 9:15 am

jonnie_r wrote:When I first read the thread title I thought we had a petrolhead tramp among us, though I can't imagine he would a have been here long. I should imagine it's worse for you than meths.

Maybe I should move the thread to "Sam's Bar" ............

We can then debate the merits of clutch fluid - whether it should be dot 4, dot 5 (no never dot 5), dot 5.1 ..... or neat Jack Daniels .....

spiderwheels · #14 Post by **spiderwheels** » Wed Sep 24, 2014 10:19 am

I find it the perfect accompaniment to pasta dishes..

I have managed to resolve one issue in why I couldn't see the seal that had been mentioned before.. The spacer between the slave cylinder and the engine came away so firmly attached to the slave that I thought it was all the same casting.. having found some photos I can see it isn't.