| Author | Message | ||
     S1125r |
I got back from a lengthy ride earlier and looked at my clutch fluid sight glass, and it has turned black. I checked my oil, it's fine, the clutch hasn't changed in function in the last thousand or so miles, and everything seems to be great... other than the color. I spoke to my mechanic and he says it's because the difference in temperature between the brake and the clutch, which I think is a load of bullshit. I'm in Italy, though, so I'm willing to chalk that up to a miscommunication with a non-English speaker. Anyone have any thoughts on what might have caused this and how to fix it? I don't want to just treat the symptom if there's a more serious problem lurking. | ||
| Jdugger |
DOT4 fluid, such as used in your hydraulic clutch, will turn black when it has taken on moisture. It's time to flush the fluid and replace it. And, next time, don't wait until it's black, because you are promoting corosion in the system. A clutch is a lot less critical than a front brake, and the demands on the fluid are generally a lot less severe. Still, it's probably been a while since you have serviced the brake, too, so go buy a fresh bottle of DOT4 and flush both with new fluid. For a street bike, plan on servicing these systems at least yearly. | ||
| Pariah |
Weird. Could be motor oil is getting into your clutch hydraulics? Here's an idea... Behind the secondary (outer) clutch cover there's a diaphragm and a diaphragm oil seal... see page 6-20 in the Service Manual (2008 1125R). There should be hydraulic fluid on one side of this diaphragm and motor oil on the other side (I think). The two should not mix. I'd have a technician open the outer clutch cover and have a look... maybe a seal, gasket or rubbery part has been compromised. Of course, what Jim suggests is probably best... flush the system, replace the fluid and see if that fixes things first. (Message edited by pariah on July 02, 2009) | ||
| S1125r |
Me thinks there's a problem, then. The bike is about 3 months old and it was fine when I got it. I'll flush it, definitely, but I also need to check seals it seems. Thanks for the info. | ||
| Jdugger |
What's the manufacturing date of the bike? Is this an 08 you just bought, which means the fluids are now 15-16 months old? | ||
| S1125r |
No, it's an 09. Built in Dec O8. | ||
| Jdugger |
Hmm. Black DOT4 almost always means you have water contamination from somewhere. In older fluid, this is just "father time" and moisture from the air. A flush is for sure in order, but might not fix the problem long term. Go through it, look for creases in gaskets, etc. Places where the fluid could be exposed to the air somehow. | ||
| Avc8130 |
Every hydraulic motorcycle clutch I have seen has black fluid almost instantly. I have flushed my buddy's 848 and another buddy's SV1000 and they both went black within a week. ac | ||
| S1125r |
What causes it, though? I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the most mechanically savvy, but I am extremely curious. Is anyone else getting black fluid in their 1125 model clutch reservoir? Edit: Looks like I might need a bleeding system myself. How good is something like this: http://www.compacc.com/p.cfm/c/1111014/p/544 Any input there? (Message edited by s1125r on July 03, 2009) | ||
| Avc8130 |
The easiest way to change the fluid is with a Mighty Vac (or similar). Draw a vacuum at the bleeder and keep filling the reservoir until clean fluid comes out the bleeder. ac | ||
| Mr_incognito |
I always do my brakes and clutch at the beginning of the season. Dirty brake fluid is no bueno. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
I thought black was fastest? How does that relate to clutch fluid? <wink> R | ||
| Jdugger |
> I thought black was fastest? How does that relate to clutch fluid? It's so fast it prevents the slow release of the clutch resulting in unpredictable downshifts. | ||
| Jdugger |
Bleeding: I use a glass jar and a piece of vinyl tube. Old school. | ||
| Pariah |
S1125r, the mighty vac you found seems handy. I like tools that make bleeding easier, too (sorry Old School Jim!  ) I've used this one (or at least an older version of it) for clutch hydraulic fluid bleeding on my 1125R: http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+maintenanc e/oil+changes/multi+fluid+extractor.do?search=basi c&keyword=bleed&sortby=newArrivals&page=1 The end fit nice and snug on the clutch bleed valve. I'm sure the mightyvac will work nicely, too... nothing like making sure you get all the air out. And, by the way, my clutch fluid is not black/opaque. It is AS CLEAR as my brake fluid, as seen through the sight glass. I replaced my clutch fluid about six months ago. So I don't think black clutch fluid is normal, at least on the 1125. | ||
| S1125r |
Good info, thanks Pariah. I'm taking it back in to be worked on this week, hopefully they'll find something. | ||
| Pariah |
Please let us know what they find, if anything. I think we could learn a lot from your experience. |
