torn rubber seal a clutch activator, how important is it?

[markmartin]

Hi all,

While replacing the brass clutch pivot I decided to clean the little push activator---while doing this, I ripped what looks like a dust cover.  The picture below is the activator with the ripped off rubber seal. The other half of the seal is still on the master cylinder.
Questions:
1.) how important is this rubber piece?
2.) Is it a dust cover or an oil seal?
3.) If I  reinstall this activator with the ripped rubber piece, will I get fluid leaking out of it/  I.E.  should I wait and replace it before running it?

[FJmonkey]

That is a dust seal to keep crap from the back side of the real seal. So it preserves the life of the pressure seal. You can ride without it, so get one on order with RPM or your parts dealer of choice and put it on when you can.

[markmartin]

Thanks man.  Will do.

Looks like I'll need this kit--the boot is part of an assembly. Cool, I've never re-built an MC.

http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AClutchrbkit

[FJmonkey]

Pay close attention to the direction of the plunger/push rod, the part that makes contact with the lever. When put in backwards, even a properly bled (like 4 times) will feel like a lot of air is still trapped. DAMHIK... 

[markmartin]

   There's a 50/50 chance you just saved me a couple of hours.