Hi there,
The problem I'm having with my 1999 ex-police ST1100 on 49000 miles is this:
With heavy use of the clutch in town traffic or slow maneuvering riding the clutch the clutch lever goes soft and no longer disengages the clutch.
Open road riding the clutch and gear changes are sweet.
Initially there was no loss of fluid visible anywhere.
The clutch came back to life after leaving the bike to sit and cool for half an hour.
The clutch fluid was changed and master cylinder internals replaced with a new kit.
The next time it happened fluid leaked from slave cylinder.
A new slave cylinder was fitted and Goodridge braided hose fitted.
This still hasn't fixed the problem.
Any ideas?
On one forum this is said:
"It sounds like clutch swell. That's when the clutch is abused and warping has expanded the clutch pack. As it heats up it expands even more. the net result is the travel of the clutch engadgement/disengadgement is greatly increased as the clutch pack is thicker when engadged. Therefore you have to move a lot more fluid before it reaches the point of disengadgement. This means a new clutch. Both metal and fiber discs. I would highly recomend rebuilding both cylinders and replacing the hoses with braided line. Do it right once and you'll never have to touch it again."
And on another this:
"So if you have serviced the master cylinder and the slave cylinder and replaced the fluid and the hydraulic hose to no avail, and you are happy with your work, then the problem must be at the clutch. I think it would need a new set of clutch plates, and would need the hole clutch (basket inner and outer and all parts connected) checking and measuring for wear. The clutch springs may now be very weak and effected by heat build up in the engine when in town or traffic. Also the clutch push rod and its bearing could be worn."
And finally this:
"Have you tried viagra in the clutch fluid?"
Ok seriously that last one I made up but any thoughts on this before I strip the clutch would be greatly appreciated as having a floppy clutch is never great when you've got a cute girl on the back of your bike.
Cheers
The problem I'm having with my 1999 ex-police ST1100 on 49000 miles is this:
With heavy use of the clutch in town traffic or slow maneuvering riding the clutch the clutch lever goes soft and no longer disengages the clutch.
Open road riding the clutch and gear changes are sweet.
Initially there was no loss of fluid visible anywhere.
The clutch came back to life after leaving the bike to sit and cool for half an hour.
The clutch fluid was changed and master cylinder internals replaced with a new kit.
The next time it happened fluid leaked from slave cylinder.
A new slave cylinder was fitted and Goodridge braided hose fitted.
This still hasn't fixed the problem.
Any ideas?
On one forum this is said:
"It sounds like clutch swell. That's when the clutch is abused and warping has expanded the clutch pack. As it heats up it expands even more. the net result is the travel of the clutch engadgement/disengadgement is greatly increased as the clutch pack is thicker when engadged. Therefore you have to move a lot more fluid before it reaches the point of disengadgement. This means a new clutch. Both metal and fiber discs. I would highly recomend rebuilding both cylinders and replacing the hoses with braided line. Do it right once and you'll never have to touch it again."
And on another this:
"So if you have serviced the master cylinder and the slave cylinder and replaced the fluid and the hydraulic hose to no avail, and you are happy with your work, then the problem must be at the clutch. I think it would need a new set of clutch plates, and would need the hole clutch (basket inner and outer and all parts connected) checking and measuring for wear. The clutch springs may now be very weak and effected by heat build up in the engine when in town or traffic. Also the clutch push rod and its bearing could be worn."
And finally this:
"Have you tried viagra in the clutch fluid?"
Ok seriously that last one I made up but any thoughts on this before I strip the clutch would be greatly appreciated as having a floppy clutch is never great when you've got a cute girl on the back of your bike.
Cheers