no clutch lever tension

[breakchad]

Hi guys,

I have a 1997 1100xx Blackbird I bought from a buddy about 6 months ago, it runs fine. a few days ago I hopped on and there was no tension on my clutch lever. I assumed the cable broke, I went back to fix it later that night and the tension was back, I even hopped on it and drove it around the block for a minute to be sure.

Today I went to get on it and the same thing happened. No tension and the clutch wont disengage. Apparently the cable isn't broken since this is an issue happening on and off.
Could it be something to do with my hydraulic fluid?

If you need any more info just let me know.

 

[Jaws]

Hi and welcome to the forum @tu*

Little unsure if you are just yanking our chain or not..

1) You say the brake lever has no tension ( I am guessing you mean no pressure ? )

2) You then talk about a cable breaking ? There are no cables apart from the throttle cable

3) You THEN say the clutch does not disengage ! ?

So that is all the controls failing in the space of a couple of days ??

IF, the first two things are a mistake and you meant the clutch all along, then yes, first thing is to check your master cylinder reservoir is full or at least has plenty of fluid in it

If it has then I would say the master cylinder rubbers have gone weak, and need replacing

If you do not have fluid in the master cylinder chances are high the slave cylinder rubbers have gone..

None of the jobs are hard to do at home with fairly basic tools

I notice you are in Florida.. There is a great guy who could maybe help you with more info who is in Ft Lauderdale who I could put you in touch with ?
You can mail me at john@jaws-motorcycles.co.uk

 

[breakchad]

Hi Jaws,

Yeah sorry about the typo, I fixed it to say clutch not brake. I was talking about the clutch lever all along. I can see that there is still fluid in the reservoir but it may be a little low. I'll add some and try and see if it helps, I'll check the rubber pads while I'm at it.

I read on another thread that it takes DOT 4 fluid? I don't have the owners manual since I bought it from a friend. I just wanted to confirm if that's what you would recommend.

Thanks for the quick feedback.@tu*

 

[Jaws]

Yup, dot 4 is the correct fluid.. pretty standard stuff, available from most bike and car parts outlets @tu*

You MAY need to bleed the system to get rid of any air in the system.
If you are unsure about doing it post back and I will try to describe the methodology for you..

If you have Skype please feel free to call me .. Search for Jaws-MC @tu*

 

[DLN1965]

For a moment there Jaws I thought he HAD you .... F1sh1ing

Brake no tension ?:dunno:

Clutch not working ?:dunno:

Cable breaking on the clutch/brakes ? :dunno:

Mmmmm

But you equalled the comments with...... "Little unsure if you are just YANKing our chain or not.." :bow:
After all Breakchad is an American !!!!

Spot on with the seals advice ... Sound like one or both have perished (in the heat of the Floridian sun?)
Or there is air in the system which when pumped a few times gets firm enough to use and then when stationary for a while...... the pressure releases?


BTW Is Breakchad an anagram of AndyBiker ? (if you take a few letters away and add a couple of different letters)

 

[breakchad]

Thanks Jaws,

I do skype and if I have any issues bleeding the line I will let you know. I've done it before on a car. this will be my first time on a bike. hopefully they are similar in methodology.

@dln1965- I sense sarcasm LOL but I'll just tell you anyway. Breakchad is short for Breaking Benjamin (my favorite band) and Chad (my real first name)@tu*

 

[DLN1965]

Welcome Breakchad

@dln1965- I sense sarcasm LOL but I'll just tell you anyway. Breakchad is short for Breaking Benjamin (my favorite band) and Chad (my real first name)@tu*

Sarcasm ?? who me ?? ha ha ha 8rfl@
Seriously I did give back up to Jaws re the seals ... And TBH I had a similar thing happen on mine... But only when I had not ridden for a while.... And I never really got down to the true cause.... All I know its fine now! after putting in new fluid and bleeding the clutch

For those who know about 'AndyBiker' ..The comment would have been funny ... g0551p

Ohh I forgot to ask ....Whereabouts in Fla are you ??? I used to work for the Mouse in Epcot many years ago... And spent most of free time visiting most of Fla..... EXCELLENT part of the World !!
PS Great choice of band too !

 

[breakchad]

@dln1965 Ha Ha yeah I'm no stranger to sarcasm ;-0))

Yeah noticed the reservoir is low when I got home to check it. I ride my bike everyday so I know it wasn't because it's been sitting. I'm gonna try adding more fluid and bleeding the clutch. hopefully that's all it is.

And I don't get the AndyBiker reference. (care to elaborate?)

Also I from Lake City, FL if you're not familiar with it's location, it's right where I-75 and I-10 meet. North of Gainesville.

 

[Jaws]

Chad,, Andybird ( Andy ) is the poor bugger who seems to take the brunt of most of the piss taking jokes on here !

 

[DLN1965]

Once again Jaws beat me to it !!!

Andybiker is loved by many people on here ....
BUT I'm certain you will be welcomed in a much more civilised way .... Especially as you invited us all over to stay ;-)

Gainesville and surroundings brings back happy memories, I visited a young lady who was studying at UoF ... And because of her I met my first American footballer who was 'studying' at the same college..(in 1989... Showing my age) Someone called Emit Smith (apparently he became quite good)
I spent most of my time slightly more south and when spring break came along ... Well ..... I'm sure you know what I mean !!!!

Good luck and hope you get your clutch sorted !!! And just repeating Jaws advice .... Check for leaks, check seals, and bleed the system .....

 

[andyBeaker]

Who the fook is Andybiker?:dunno:

 

[breakchad]

:Update:

This solution totally worked. I added DOT 4 and bled the line. just took it for a ride down the road and it shifts great! better than when I bought it 6 months ago. Thanks for the help guys.

Gainesville and surroundings brings back happy memories, I visited a young lady who was studying at UoF ... And because of her I met my first American footballer who was 'studying' at the same college..(in 1989... Showing my age) Someone called Emit Smith (apparently he became quite good)

Definitely showing your age there ha ha. Emit went on to play for the Dallas cowboys and has long since retired.

And Spring break in Florida is the ONLY place to be!

 

[DLN1965]

Who the fook is Andybiker?:dunno:

My mistake Andy !!!

I think "AndyBiker" is a cross breed of Andybird the Banker AND SteveBiker.....
Two of the most favourite characters on here !!!!!
LOL

8rfl@

 

[Jaws]

Good result ! @tu*