clutch fluid?

kdirge · Post by **kdirge** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:32 am

went for a short ride yesterday and it seemed that shifting from 1st into second was sticking( wanting to hit neutral) alot. Took it home and after about 15 minutes looked the bike over. In the sight glass at the clutch I didn't see any fluid. What do I need to do. How do I add more fluid and what should I use. Could this be a big problem or is it a simple top off.

Post by **Boxer** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 12:03 pm

You probably just don't have the bike turned the proper way for viewing. The right brake reservoir and the clutch have different procedures and I can never remember which is which. One is on the sidestand and one is on the centerstand, one is turned far right and the other far left. Its so confusing! But that's probably it. Try to view the circle at different positions of the bike. There is nowhere for the fluid to go unless there is a massive leak, and you'd notice that for sure.

kdirge · Post by **kdirge** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:46 pm

I have tried to view it at different angles and I still seem to not be able to see anything. I keep the bike in the garage and also haven't observed any leaks. Is there any other way to assure that nothing is wrong other than to take it in to the dealership. Also if the clutch fluid is not low, what else could be causing the difficulty shifting from 1st to 2nd?

ErikU · Post by **ErikU** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:30 pm

Your manual has the specific proceedure for checking clutch fluid level. I thought mine was low too, but by the time I situated the bike the way it was called for in the manual it was fine.

The fluid just drives the clutch, so if the clutch is working ok otherwise, I doubt it's clutch fluid.

Capt. Blackadder · Post by **Capt. Blackadder** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:40 am

To gauge the level in the clutch reservoir, put the bike on the side stand and turn the handlebar all the way to the right. The level should be either at the center dot or the top of the circle... can't remember which now. It's a simple topping-up affair if it's low, but you might wanna check the clutch slave cylinder to see if there's a leak there. It's on the back of the transmission and you might have to crawl under the bike to see it. By the way, the manual says that the reservoir level will rise as the clutch wears... don't ask me how that works.