Clutch Hydraulic Problem

[David Allaband]

Hi everyone. I have a problem that's been getting gradually worse over time. It's a fight getting into neutral or it won't go in at all. The bike is pulling even when the clutch is in. I bled the clutch master/slave cylinder and there was a lot of air in the system. After bleeding the clutch worked great for a few days but now it's hanging up again. So I think there's a large enough leak that I need to fix it. There's also moisture all over the slave cylinder so I think the problem is the slave. The bike is an FJ1200 with 40,000 miles on it.

I think I should rebuild the master and slave but not replace the hose. Does that sound like a good idea? I see Randy over at RPM sells parts and drop in replacements for the slave but nothing for the master. Is the master not usually a problem? Should I just rebuild the slave? Is thee something about the hose I don't know and gives me a reason to replace it?

Thanks for any help!

[FJmonkey]

David, you just described the leaking slave problem. Have you been checking the fluid level in the master? Is it below the line? I had the same problem and filled and bleed the system. Almost did not make it home as the clutch would almost not disengage. I got both rebuild kits from Randy and rebuilt both the same day. When you rebuild the master pay very close attention to how the master comes apart. Especially the direction of the push rod between the lever and the piston. Plenty of write ups on doing both, look them up and get familiar with the work. Good luck.

[David Allaband]

Thanks for the help! Looks like I'll have to wait until RPM has the slave rebuild kit in stock again. I can't find any writeups on rebuilding the master or slave. I used the search function. Do you know of any off hand? While looking for a writeup I saw a post about braided steel clutch hoses. I've put these on brake lines before and loved them. Any opinions or ideas where I can get one? Thanks again!

[FJmonkey]

Thanks for the help! Looks like I'll have to wait until RPM has the slave rebuild kit in stock again. I can't find any writeups on rebuilding the master or slave. I used the search function. Do you know of any off hand? While looking for a writeup I saw a post about braided steel clutch hoses. I've put these on brake lines before and loved them. Any opinions or ideas where I can get one? Thanks again!

Try this

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=672.0

[markmartin]

I had this same problem David at about 43,000K (?).    I replaced the slave seals and spring with a rebuild kit from Randy and it's been fine since.  That was about 8000 - 10,000 miles ago.

BTW, Randy's kit comes with a new spring.  Some kits don't.

[racerrad8]

BTW, Randy's kit comes with a new spring.  Some kits don't.

The kits will be back in stock on Friday.

Randy - RPM

[David Allaband]

Thanks! I got the write up and read it. I'll read the one in my Haynes manual too (but will never trust their torque values again).

Thanks for the update on the kit Randy, I'll order it tomorrow.

Thanks for the info Mark.

Anybody know anything about a braided hose for the clutch? If it's not a fortune I would like to do this whole hydraulic system at once and be done with it.

Thanks again!

[rktmanfj]

Anybody know anything about a braided hose for the clutch? If it's not a fortune I would like to do this whole hydraulic system at once and be done with it.

Thanks again!

Galfer and Spiegler both stock them, among others.

[SlowOldGuy]

I have yet to see a SS clutch line that didn't block access to the top slave cylinfer mounting bolt. 

Since clutch bleeding can be "challenging" at times, I have never installed my SS clutch line because I don't want to have to loosen the line to get the slave off.  However, come to think of it, since I use DOT5 fluid I haven't had to remove the slave in 10 years (well, except to change the CC sprocket).  :-)

DavidR.