Clutch issue - already did a search..

[Gixster]

Wow, been a long time since I was over here. Anyway, I haven't popped in here in a while, as my Busa has been trouble free and I've been riding!

Anyway, last September, I destroyed the clutch slave cylinder, as well as the sprocket cover. Finally got around to replacing both of those this week. (Yes, the bike sat for 5 months. Hey, I have a TLR I can ride too!!)

Anyway, I got those items replaced, bled the clutch using a Mityvac, got all the air out, and the clutch is slipping now. It's not as bad after I bled it the 2nd time though, but it's still slipping.

I've measured the clutch pack, it's sitting at a shade under 2", the plates all have good material on them, nothing is warped or bent.

The clutch was PERFECT prior to the slave going south, so I find it hard to believe that the clutch plates are beat now.

Is it possible that they've dried out and I need to give them a good soaking in oil prior to putting them in? I've put probably 5 miles on it since I put it back together and noticed the slipping.

I'm comfortable that the clutch line is bled, so I don't think that's a problem anymore.

I'm plenty mechanically proficient, I'm just not sure what the problem might be that is causing this. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Oh yeah, it's a 2003 model with 51,000 miles on it. It's a tourer for me. It hasn't been abused and I've owned it since brand new.

 

[mike1180]

If it is slipping, it may mean that the rod that sits inside the slave and goes through to the clutch assembly is not coming back out all the way.
Check and see if it is seated in there properly, and if the slave is mounted correctly on the cover.

 

[Gixster]

If it is slipping, it may mean that the rod that sits inside the slave and goes through to the clutch assembly is not coming back out all the way.
Check and see if it is seated in there properly, and if the slave is mounted correctly on the cover.

I've already verified those things. Did that a little while ago. All is well there.

I'm soaking the clutch plates now since they've probably dried out over 5 months and running some scotch-brite on the steels.

Hopefully that will do the trick!

 

[mike1180]

If that doesn't work, try and take off the clutch fluid reservoir cap, and take off the slave and push the cylinder cup in as far as it will go.
Be careful, the fuid may come out of the reservoir (it eats paint).
Reinstall the slave and then rebleed the system.
If it wasn't all the way in when you started, it may cause the symptoms you state.

 

[Gixster]

If that doesn't work, try and take off the clutch fluid reservoir cap, and take off the slave and push the cylinder cup in as far as it will go.
Be careful, the fuid may come out of the reservoir (it eats paint).
Reinstall the slave and then rebleed the system.
If it wasn't all the way in when you started, it may cause the symptoms you state.

Hmm. Interesting point. When the new clutch slave was sent to me, the piston was out just a little bit. Maybe 1/8" or so. I didn't bottom it out before I put the thing together and started bleeding the clutch. If what I'm doing now doesn't do the trick, I"ll try what you suggest.

Thanks!

 

[Gixster]

Well, the clutch plates being dry seems to have been the problem.

I soaked them all for about 5 minutes in oil and took a scotch-brite pad to the steels, and she grabs hard now. I forgot how quick she accelerates.

Thanks for the help!