Clutch Question.
06-09-2007 | 11:42 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4
Clutch Question.
Hello everyone. I am new to the forums, and would like to start out by saying hello, and ask a question.
I have done a search on this forum and have not found a definitive answer.
Is it just me or does the clutch pull really weigh, like, 30 pounds? I find I cannot pull the clutch more than like 15 times (in a row(traffic)) before my hand just wants to let go. It is so freakin' heavy.
My only saving grace on this. When I bought the bike, 3 weeks ago. I found that when I pulled the clutch, fluid would come out of the reservoir. After cleaning the mess, I checked under the cap and found a HUGE diaphragm. Way too big for the application. I found that it was folded in on it's self. (Make a circle with your hands, then fold your fingers towards you thumbs.) The fluid was leaking out at the finger location. I picked up the new innards for the reservoir from the local Honda shop, and all is well ... well, except for the heavy clutch pull.
Should it have a 30 pound pull? ... Do you all have very strong hands, and are used to it? ... Or is my saving grace, bleeding the clutch? Also, how heavy should the clutch be? My brothers GSXR 1000 clutch weighs like, 1 pound compared to mine. No one has a heavier clutch than me...What a crappy thing I can brag about.
Sorry for the long winded post. But, I am afraid that is how I get down
Thanks for your time.
I have done a search on this forum and have not found a definitive answer.
Is it just me or does the clutch pull really weigh, like, 30 pounds? I find I cannot pull the clutch more than like 15 times (in a row(traffic)) before my hand just wants to let go. It is so freakin' heavy.
My only saving grace on this. When I bought the bike, 3 weeks ago. I found that when I pulled the clutch, fluid would come out of the reservoir. After cleaning the mess, I checked under the cap and found a HUGE diaphragm. Way too big for the application. I found that it was folded in on it's self. (Make a circle with your hands, then fold your fingers towards you thumbs.) The fluid was leaking out at the finger location. I picked up the new innards for the reservoir from the local Honda shop, and all is well ... well, except for the heavy clutch pull.
Should it have a 30 pound pull? ... Do you all have very strong hands, and are used to it? ... Or is my saving grace, bleeding the clutch? Also, how heavy should the clutch be? My brothers GSXR 1000 clutch weighs like, 1 pound compared to mine. No one has a heavier clutch than me...What a crappy thing I can brag about.
Sorry for the long winded post. But, I am afraid that is how I get down
Thanks for your time.
06-10-2007 | 07:40 AM
#3
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
From: South Texas
Yeah that's not normal. Sounds like either it has too much fluid with no room for expansion and/or in need of a good bleeding.
Yes, a rubber diaphragm is used and should look very similar to the one in the brake m/c.
Yes, a rubber diaphragm is used and should look very similar to the one in the brake m/c.
06-11-2007 | 12:47 PM
#5
Slacker
Superstock
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 489
From: San Antonio, TX
Contamination?
When I bought the bike, 3 weeks ago.
I checked under the cap and found a HUGE diaphragm. Way too big for the application. I found that it was folded in on it's self.
I picked up the new innards for the reservoir from the local Honda shop, and all is well ... well, except for the heavy clutch pull.
... Or is my saving grace, bleeding the clutch?
I checked under the cap and found a HUGE diaphragm. Way too big for the application. I found that it was folded in on it's self.
I picked up the new innards for the reservoir from the local Honda shop, and all is well ... well, except for the heavy clutch pull.
... Or is my saving grace, bleeding the clutch?
STOP what you are doing and pay attention! The problems you describe are symptomatic of a CONTAMINATED clutch hydraulic system. Most likely the previous owner added a petroleum oil based chemical, such as POWER STEERING FLUID or engine oil or transmission fluid, to the clutch reservoir. This type of chemical WILL cause brake system rubber components to SWELL up far beyond their original size.
Most likely your rubber flex hoses and master cylinder seals have swollen up, just like the diaphragm in the cap. It is also probable that the oil mixture has made it's way down the clutch line and affected the seals in the slave cylinder as well.
If this is the problem the only cure is to flush out all the bad fluid, then replace ALL internal rubber parts, and flush again with alcohol before adding fresh brake fluid.
To test for contamination (i hope you have not yet bled out the system) , drain as much fluid from the master reservoir as possible into a small clean container. Styrofoam coffee cups work well for this, being disposable. Then, add some water to the cup. If oil is present it will rise up to the top immediately. If no oil is present, you will have what looks like coffee mixed with lots of cream.
I hope that I am wrong about this as all the different rubber parts could add up to a good chunk of cash, but you do need to check to be certain.
06-11-2007 | 08:51 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4
Thanks for the info Tim....now I am worried lol. I just went out and checked the old diaphragm to what it looks like. My heart sank into my stomach when I read the word, "NISSIN", in the middle of it.
I have a feeling that you may be onto something here as the old diaphragm feels sticky. As rubber feels when it is being broken down. It WAS very hot these last 2 days, where the old diaphragm was stored. I am hoping that will account for the sticky feeling. Yes it is sticky, but it is also leaving no residue on my fingers.
BUT, my question is, would the swelling be uniform? It is misshapen in no way. Just perfectly larger. When I first discovered the problem, I was hoping the cap fell off at some point, and the diaphragm was lost. It was then replaced with a wrong diaphragm, and was just forced in there and made to work.
Also, I unfortunately bled out the system yesterday morning. The pull MAY be lighter. Not really sure. Still pretty heavy though. I imagine swollen rubber seals and the like, would indeed cause the pull to be heavy, as the fluid is having trouble getting past them.
Could anyone say how much fluid is in the system? I bought a new bottle of DOT 4. I really didn't use that much of it.
I have a feeling that you may be onto something here as the old diaphragm feels sticky. As rubber feels when it is being broken down. It WAS very hot these last 2 days, where the old diaphragm was stored. I am hoping that will account for the sticky feeling. Yes it is sticky, but it is also leaving no residue on my fingers.
BUT, my question is, would the swelling be uniform? It is misshapen in no way. Just perfectly larger. When I first discovered the problem, I was hoping the cap fell off at some point, and the diaphragm was lost. It was then replaced with a wrong diaphragm, and was just forced in there and made to work.
Also, I unfortunately bled out the system yesterday morning. The pull MAY be lighter. Not really sure. Still pretty heavy though. I imagine swollen rubber seals and the like, would indeed cause the pull to be heavy, as the fluid is having trouble getting past them.
Could anyone say how much fluid is in the system? I bought a new bottle of DOT 4. I really didn't use that much of it.
06-18-2007 | 08:40 AM
#8
Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48
Hi MSG,
I can't speak about the more serious potential problem that you have, but can I ask if you have ever owned a bike with a hydraulic clutch before? I had a Ducati SuperSport last year and sold it, that bike has a hydraulic clutch as well and the pull is heavier than a cable clutch.
I can't speak about the more serious potential problem that you have, but can I ask if you have ever owned a bike with a hydraulic clutch before? I had a Ducati SuperSport last year and sold it, that bike has a hydraulic clutch as well and the pull is heavier than a cable clutch.
06-18-2007 | 02:34 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4
This is my first hydraulic clutch bike. I see what you are saying. I am going to have to find another bike and see. That is a good point I never thought about. Though it may be moot (from my end). I went for a ride late last week and found the Hawk isn't nearly as agile as I had hoped. I think I am going to get a R1 or a 954, then sell this lovely bike. She is a good one, just can't offer what I am looking for in a sport bike. 
I am still going to look into the "problem" and make sure everything is going to be straight for the next rider
I am still going to look into the "problem" and make sure everything is going to be straight for the next rider
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