Cleaned the Clutch Master res and bled it, and tightened the Turn signal switch

[Bminder]

What did I do to my FJ today?

Clutch Bleed:
Pulled the Clutch Master Reservoir cover to bleed it and there was this gray gunk in the bottom.  So I sucked out all the fluid, and when I took a metal pick to the gray gunk, it broke up in chunks like gray shaved-chocolate pieces.  Got it all out with the shop vac and then used Q-tips to clean it all up like new.  Filled with fresh brake fluid and gravity-bled it til new fluid came out. Feels like it shifts better and not bang into first like it does sometimes, but who knows, could be my imagination.

Turn Signal:
When I bought the bike back in May or June, I noticed that the turn signal switch didn't move as smoothly to the right as it did to the left, and right turns took a little harder push on the button to cancel.  Figured it was due to age and that one day I would look at it and try to lube it or something.
But then the other day I went to make a right turn and the switch was hanging down loose.  There are two screws holding the turn signal switch to the bottom of the bracket and one had fallen out and the other was loose.
So I bought a new screw, tightened them up, and now the switch works nice and smooth both left and right.  Must have been loose the whole time before.
What would be good to lube it with?

And that's what I did to my FJ today.

[RichBaker]

The banging into gear is usually caused by the oil squeezing out of the clutch pack overnight and the plates sticking, the 1st shift from neutral breaks them loose and causes the bang. This is why I usually pull in the clutch and rock her back and forth to break the clutches loose, before starting her....

[Bminder]

The banging into gear is usually caused by the oil squeezing out of the clutch pack overnight and the plates sticking, the 1st shift from neutral breaks them loose and causes the bang. This is why I usually pull in the clutch and rock her back and forth to break the clutches loose, before starting her....

Even after it's warmed up good it will still bang into first gear sometimes.

[ribbert]

The banging into gear is usually caused by the oil squeezing out of the clutch pack overnight and the plates sticking, the 1st shift from neutral breaks them loose and causes the bang. This is why I usually pull in the clutch and rock her back and forth to break the clutches loose, before starting her....

Even after it's warmed up good it will still bang into first gear sometimes.

I think you are talking about different things here. There is the issue that Rich describes after sitting overnight, if you start it in gear the bike will lurch forward. Then, there is the transmission lash take up, including the chain, that you get anytime you go from neutral to first. Even hot there is always some clutch drag from the oil that spins the transmission in neutral and when you select a gear, it stops, with a bang or clunk.

Noel

[Bminder]

I think you are talking about different things here. There is the issue that Rich describes after sitting overnight, if you start it in gear the bike will lurch forward. Then, there is the transmission lash take up, including the chain, that you get anytime you go from neutral to first. Even hot there is always some clutch drag from the oil that spins the transmission in neutral and when you select a gear, it stops, with a bang or clunk.

Noel

That's good to know.
When the bike is cold first thing in the morning, with it in gear and I hold the clutch in, it takes a little effort to roll it against the resistance, but after a few inches it starts rolling freely.

After Randy helped me get the carbs sorted, and I synced them, the 1-2 shift became smooth as buttah.

[theLeopard]

gravity-bled it til new fluid came out

I want to do this, someone please tell me how. do I need to hold the lever open or just loosen the screw?

[Joe Sull]

The banging into gear is usually caused by the oil squeezing out of the clutch pack overnight and the plates sticking, the 1st shift from neutral breaks them loose and causes the bang. This is why I usually pull in the clutch and rock her back and forth to break the clutches loose, before starting her....

I like this! I will do it!