Clutch slave cylinder rebuild

[Pete]

Hi again!

The jobs on my Blackbird don't seem to be getting an yfewer. Finished my chain and sprocket change today, looks great. Went to put everything back together again but when I got to the clutch slave cylinder it was really hard to get back on. It's been off the bike for 2 days now...

Managed to get it part the way on and the rest of the way with the aid of putting the bolts in and tightening them down. Checked the clutch lever and its really loose. Checked the fluid level and it's really low! Then checked under the slave cylinder and it's a bit wet...dried it, waited five minutes, wet again.

Now, before I drain the fluid and strip the cylinder for a rebuild with new seals is there anything I could have missed here? Could leaving it off the bike for 2 days have let the cylinder push itself out enough to leak some fluid, but putting it all back on the bike may have stopped that? I've been ringing round a few places for a rebuild kit and can get one for tomorrow morning for £28.80. Not too bad, but would obviously rather not do it if I don't have to!

[Stu]

Hmmm I personally would rebuild it if you suspect a leak

Or at least take it apart to check the seals you may have got a bit of shite in there and killed the seal

[Pete]

Stu you are always on hand for top advice. Cheers!

Off to Halfrauds now then to get some brake fluid...and clear tubing. So much stuff goes missing when you move house, I used to have all this in the garage!

Reckon I'll top it off and see how it's looking later on. If it's dropped I'll strip it...if not, I'll probably still strip it

[Stu]

Get some brake cleaner too to clean the area

[cockercas]

Try the pet store for tubing. The airline for fish tanks fits over the bleed nipples. Cheap as chips to.

[Stu]

Try the pet store for tubing. The airline for fish tanks fits over the bleed nipples. Cheap as chips to.

 

this is what I use

amongst other things depends on the bleed nipple to be fair

[Pete]

Smart thinking! Bought some from Halfords that's ever so slightly too bloody small so will be off to the pet shop tomorrow.

Just taken the bike for a 10 mile spin. I topped the fluid up earlier and left it for a couple of hours, couldn't see any more leaks so maybe it was just from leaving the cylinder off for 2 days. I've order the rebuild kit anyway and will pick that up tomorrow.

Ride was as smooth as anything. Don't know if it's the new cush drive rubbers I've put into the back wheel whilst doing the chain and sprockets or the fact that my clutch doesn't fully disengage when in gear(!), but clicking into 1st at the lights and roundabouts was literally unnoticeable. Before the bike would always 'jump' when kicking into 1st gear, now it's as smooth as buttery butter.

As I said earlier I shall probably rebuild the slave anyway, but will do it more urgently if 1) the leak comes back, and/or 2) I can't get it to fully disengage from gear. As Stu said before it could just be air in the lines so I'll try that first. If that doesn't work I'll pull the plates and see if any are stuck together.

Let all my trials and tribulations be a lesson to you all not to leave your bikes for 3 and a half years! To be fair I did ride around France for 10 days in those 3 and a half years, but all in all the bike has only covered about 8,000 miles in nearly 4 years. Oil and filter changes have been kept on top of at least once a year, and I gave it some new pads and shoes when needed, but apart from that I've not really touched it. So if these are the only problems I'll have then fair enough.

[Stu]

Slightly too small is the best

Boil the kettle fill a cup insert tubing until it's nice and hot push over nipple and it will be nice and tight