Hydraulic Clutch Bleeding - Motorcycle Forum

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wenders W I had the clutch slave off and am now trying to get the air out of the system. I am using the procedure of repeatedly pulling the lever, holding it, opening the bleed valve, closing the valve and releasing the lever. Initially I got a lot of air bubbles but not anymore. I am just pushing fluid thru. Problem is, I am still not getting any resistance on the lever and am not actuating the clutch. What am I doing wrong? #1 · Aug 25, 2009 I had the clutch slave off and am now trying to get the air out of the system. I am using the procedure of repeatedly pulling the lever, holding it, opening the bleed valve, closing the valve and releasing the lever. Initially I got a lot of air bubbles but not anymore. I am just pushing fluid thru. Problem is, I am still not getting any resistance on the lever and am not actuating the clutch. What am I doing wrong? Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · Aug 25, 2009 Are you refilling the reservoir as you bleed...If it goes empty while you are bleeding, it will suck air right back into the system. #3 · Aug 26, 2009 I would think that would do a great job of bleeding the master. how are you bleeding the air farther down the line? I would think there is some type of connection farther down the line that needs bleeding. Just like on the brakes how you bleed the master and the caliper. #4 · Aug 26, 2009 Yes, I keep refilling the master. I already went thru a whole can of DOT3. What really puzzles me is that I put my finger at the output of the master and feel resistance in the lever. However, if I put my finger at the input to the slave connector, I feel no resistance, regardless how much I bleed. And yet there is no fluid leaking anywhere in the4 line. #5 · Aug 31, 2009 The problem with bleeding stuff like this with a bike is gravity is working against you. Air bubbles trapped in the line between the master cyl. and the clutch release will want to float up to the master cylinder. I can't say for sure with the clutch what the best method is, but there are several ways I have seen used with brakes that work well. The first is to not open the bleeder at all. Take the cap off the master cyl. and pull the lever SLOWLY as to not squirt fluid out the top since the cap is off, hold it for a little bit, and then let off. You should see trapped air bubble up through the master cylinder. Keep doing this until all trapped air is gone. The other method that has worked is reverse bleeding. Crack open the bleeder and use a large syringe or like instrument to force fresh fluid into the bleeder and up into the master cylinder. You will want to keep the fluid level in the master cylinder low for this procedure, so you have room for the fluid you are forcing up through. This will help carry the air bubbles up, the direction they naturally want to go, and out of your hydraulic system. #6 · Sep 1, 2009 You are correct. The way to get the air out is from the slave up to the master, and not the other way around. I was pushing large amounts of DOT3 from master to slave and getting no air at the bottom, and yet air was trapped somewhere in the many turns of the line. Thanks for your response. It solved my problem. #7 · Sep 5, 2009 good to hear. Happy riding! Insert Quotes Post Reply

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