Clutch master suddenly dry

[JPaganel]

The clutch circuit is pretty simple, there aren't that many places it can leak, so I'm assuming the slave cylinder is my problem. The weird thing is, I have not seen any drips or wetness. Can the leak be a phantom like that?

[FJmonkey]

The fluid went somewhere, unless you have a practical joker working on your bike. The slave is a common known weak link on our FJs. It is also why so many lower fairings are cracked on the Left side only. The brake fluid makes ABS plastic brittle. Look for paint bubbling up around the salve and CS sprocket cover. If you have DOT 5 then your paint and plastic will be fine. Get a rebuild kit from Randy and some fresh fluid. I found a great write up on rebuilding the slave on a UK site. You can find it with Google. You might consider rebuilding the master as well while the system is open. Once it is sealed back up and bled, you will have years of trouble free service.   

[markmartin]

I'm guessing that if you run your finger along the top of the frame just below the slave you will get an oily residue on your finger. My theory is that the fluid just seeps out slowly. You can install a new seal kit for little money,it's an easy job, and that may very well cure your ills.

The same thing happened to me this summer while on a 5 day trip. And I had put a new seal kit and replaced the fluid abut 2000 miles earlier. The clutch was working fine the day before, and upon leaving one morning I hardly had any clutch, and upon inspection, there was no fluid showing in the sight glass.  We limped to the nearest NAPA and picked up a length of clear tubing in case I had to bleed it and some DOT4.  It held up fine after topping off the master and there is still fluid showing in the sight glass today. That said,  I noticed this morning that it is still seeping--oily residues on the frame.   I've ordered and received a new slave from Randy and will be installing it this winter.  I've put 3 slave kits in four years, so I'm taking it as a sign that I need a new slave.

[JPaganel]

Ordered a master kit and a slave kit from Randy. I haven't done a clutch before, but I've done  a bunch of brakes. How hard can it be?

Hopefully I'll be able to swing new line as well. There is a place in town, a franchise of an Aussie company called Pirtek that makes industrial hydraulic hoses and will make hoses to order while you wait. I had them make me hoses for my XS. Teflon core, stainless steel braided jacket, sealed in PVC. Oughta last damn near forever.

[fj11.5]

Your in luck having pirtek over there , great company mate  ,and no ,I don't work for them 

[markmartin]

Ordered a master kit and a slave kit from Randy. I haven't done a clutch before, but I've done  a bunch of brakes. How hard can it be?

You'll be fine.  This may help if you run into trouble bleeding.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=9092.15

[JPaganel]

You'll be fine.  This may help if you run into trouble bleeding.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=9092.15

I never have trouble bleeding. It's stopping the bleeding I usually need help with...   

[FJmonkey]

I never have trouble bleeding. It's stopping the bleeding I usually need help with...   

[JPaganel]

You've never stabbed yourself in the foot?

[FJmonkey]

You've never stabbed yourself in the foot?

No, but I did make an impressive save of an Exacto knife that was rolling off the table... The scar will remain with me till death... 

[JPaganel]

No, but I did make an impressive save of an Exacto knife that was rolling off the table... The scar will remain with me till death... 

Knives and guns are things best left to drop...

[andyb]

Unrelated to the thread's start, but a lovely way to stop the bleeding and put the skin together?  Superglue.  Used during Vietnam as a fast and easy replacement for stitches to stabilize wounds in order to buy time to get to proper medical assistance.

[red]

Unrelated to the thread's start, but a lovely way to stop the bleeding and put the skin together?  Superglue.  Used during Vietnam as a fast and easy replacement for stitches to stabilize wounds in order to buy time to get to proper medical assistance.

Or you could take the Star Trek approach, with no sutures, no glue, and no waiting to heal:

http://theness.com/roguesgallery/index.php/science-and-medicine/set-lasers-to-heal/

The U.S. military is now funding more programs to develop this easy technique, and Google can find more about it, if you like.

Cheers,
Red

[fj11.5]

Was going to say there's some awesome glues used for rc cars etc ,but lasers are just a little better