CHANGE your clutch hydralic fluid

[FORMA MOTO]

You will thank me. Even if it's new.  

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better clutch action.

[MartyMOOSE]

Really Kran part of basic maintenance it gets dirty really quickly. 

MM

[FORMA MOTO]

58 minutes ago, MartyMOOSE said:

Really Kran part of basic maintenance it gets dirty really quickly. 

MM

I am used to Jap clutches.  The oil in those lasts forever....

[surfer-dude]

what kind of fluid is recomended?

 

[FORMA MOTO]

1 minute ago, surfer-dude said:

what kind of fluid is recomended?

 

Dot 4

[S.O.A.N.Z]

Also remember to replace your tires when the tread gets worn - heaps better traction  

[Ben500RR-S]

Next chance I get, next week, I'm going to do it.  

I'm going to hope for better clutch action from my 2017.  It sure can't hurt as like you, Kran, I have never paid much attention to the hydro-clutches in all my other, Jap-streetbikes.  

[jpbova]

My slave went, and I replaced it with 5.1.  Kran is right.  I have way better action and modulation now 

[dirtbird]

14 hours ago, THE KRAN said:

I am used to Jap clutches.  The oil in those lasts forever....

... 'cause it's made of steel. 

[basalt]

I'm inept. Any time I change anything hydraulic, it gets worse...

[silver_fox]

1 hour ago, basalt said:

I'm inept. Any time I change anything hydraulic, it gets worse...

Pull in your clutch and or brake lever and zip tie it to the bars, leave it over night and any air in the system will be out. 

[surfer-dude]

18 hours ago, THE KRAN said:

Dot 4

Thanks kran mann, Yeah! ?

[Ben500RR-S]

I changed out both the clutch and brake fluids.  Replaced them both with Motul DOT4.  Have not ridden, yet. I will be looking forward to a change in the clutch feel, that will be nice.  

I changed the rear brake fluid a week ago and did the oil/filter/trans-oil change today.  All fluids are new for this upcoming spring season. 

 

The clutch fluid was pretty discolored.  

 

My x-mission fluid came out a cream color.  I think it was from the cold/condensation from all the riding this past winter.  The motor oil was normal looking as I had used a 0W-40 Mystik snow-machine oil in both sumps and I'll be using it again next winter.  

Edited April 6, 2018 by Ben500RR-S

[yz250f 78]

Are guys using ATF fluid for the hydro clutch?    Racers use to put that in there ktm 65 hydro clutch

[FORMA MOTO]

1 hour ago, yz250f 78 said:

Are guys using ATF fluid for the hydro clutch?    Racers use to put that in there ktm 65 hydro clutch

No way, Dot 4 

[Jetwag03]

And maybe also check you slave cylinder. I just decided to go with the 2014 slave cylinder due to what seemed like a hard to pull clutch, this is what I found. It might be hard to see in the pics, the rubber boot is pinched and tearing and out of shape. The new cylinder allegedly has a slightly larger cylinder but it looks the same. It does feel a little lighter now so that's at least an improvement. BTW this 2017 430-rrs only has 6 hours on it.

[GP]

That's sloppy assy that pinched the boot , my '13 was like that.  That boot, IMO, is there to separate the slave piston oring from the trans oil, as there different material requirements.  From owning a lot of GGs, in the bikes that used DOT4 in the clutch system, the dark looking fluid was from the slave oring breaking down, so perhaps this is a good idea.  I just rebuilt mine this winter.  What I found odd was the Brembo clutch master rubber boot under the cover was very swollen, like it was in contact with oil, but it was not.

[NW_drZ]

I've noticed since new my clutch fluid always has a black murkiness to it in the master cylinder reservoir, even right after changing it and riding a few times.  I have also noticed that clutch master cylinder always seems to have a slight wetness around the outside where the lid bolts down.. Guess it slightly weeps at times there?  The rubber boot is seated properly to.  When I first noticed the murkiness I equated it to the fluid reacting to the matte black paint / coating on the master cyliner.  And or a slight amount of water getting into the master cylinder from washing or rain.  I may be totally wrong on that.  Either way I haven't noticed any effects in the clutch pull or engagement.  Seems to work perfect.  

You can kinda see the darker color around the lid here.  Doesn't look wet at this moment, but does look like it was at one point.  And that was not caused from when I changed the fluid.  I always clean it up well right after a fluid change.

Edited April 9, 2018 by NW_drZ

[Wait a while]

Also with brake fluid the additive package breaks down over time. The additives control pH, viscosity, foaming, corrosion, etc. So when it breaks down not only does performance suffer but metal and rubber parts do too. 

[Maplepoles]

Good advice. I'm a believer now.   I never changed brake or clutch fluid before this weekend.  My 16 500rs clutch slave gaskets failed sometime over the winter in storage.  The gasket in the slave fell apart when I pulled it apart to check it.  That was in less than 2 yrs of moderate temps and riding conditions.  I'll be changing brake and clutch fluid every year now.  Never did find a rebuild kit for the slave or the master. Just ended up replacing the slave with the larger 14 model.