Out of clutch fluid today

Hey guys i went to take my bike out today, the last few days the clutch lever felt really weak, and then today i noticed the reservoir on the handle was empty. I popped it in first and the bike started rolling, so i know that the clutch is at least somewhat engaged.

what is the best way to fill the reservoir? just take the 2 screws off the top? and will i need to bleed the system?? sorry i'm new to bikes.

and finally, is there a common leak place for an 87 VFR700F2?

thanks all!

 

Since you are not seeing the fluid it probably is leaking into the left side area under the secondary gear area, (countershaft sprocket cover) Take that cover off and look for brake/clutch fluid.

Bleeding a system isn't hard to do. If your bike rolls in gear your clutch isn't working and that doesn't have anything to do with the clutch fluid.

You said:
Hey guys i went to take my bike out today, the last few days the clutch lever felt really weak, and then today i noticed the reservoir on the handle was empty. I popped it in first and the bike started rolling, so i know that the clutch is at least somewhat engaged.

what is the best way to fill the reservoir? just take the 2 screws off the top? and will i need to bleed the system?? sorry i'm new to bikes.

and finally, is there a common leak place for an 87 VFR700F2?

 

I am no techie here but. I suggest you pull the cover off the reservoir. Sol long as there is fluid covering the bottom of the reservoir, and over the top of the line that feeds the hydraulic system, you should be fine with just topping it up....for the short term. I mean, where did the other fluid go. You need to answer that one.

If the reservoir is empty, and the system has sucked air into it, unless you are comfortable with bleeding the system, get someone in the know to do this for you.

Your last question, I cannot help you with. Matter of fact, I don't think I really helped you at all.

 

Ok Update::

I took off the top of the clutch cylinder/resevoir and filled it up with fluid and put it back on, then tried to bleed it. I pumped it up and held it and released the fluid to get the air out about 8 times and it shot out every time it pumped. unfortunately i still have a very weak clutch pull and when i popped it into first the wheel started spinning again even the the clutch was in..

help por favor

 

Did you check the area around the Clutch Slave? On the front Sprocket Cover?

I had a similar issue with my 1st Gen and it was a leak at the Clutch Slave.

 

that's what i'm thinking. i am having a hard time finding one online, most of the sites have the master but not the slave, and the Honda dealer wants $101 for a new one

anyone know of a good genuine/oem parts site that will have it?

 

Is it leaking?
Why don't you just rebuild it. I would be guessing 30-40 dollars.

 

^Just found your thread slowbird and going to confirm and order a rebuild kit and see how it goes. Also i sprung for the mityvac haha...couldnt help myself.

this is the only rebuild kit I can find, seems like the same company on ebay

http://www.darkhorsemotorcycleparts...R750-VFR800-CB1000-CBR1000-ST1100-GL1500.html

 

There are the parts available from HOnda the piston is less than 20. Complete assmbly is 70 from cycle parts warehouse

 

I used this kit to rebuild the slave on my 500 last fall, worked great, no problems.

 

The kit I used to rebuild the slave on my VF500 was a cheapy kit. Still workin good with the new owner.

Nice buy with the Mityvac....I want one.

 

Slave rebuild parts consist of 2 seals, cheap, easy to do.

Mityvac is more of a crutch than a cure-all. Best clutch bleed is done by removing slave from cover, then clamping piston fully retracted, but you need to be super-careful not to over-tighten the 2 long bolts securing the slave to engine and cover.......or this could happen: (mounting point on engine block destroyed)


PM me for a fix for this that i developed.

 

well this was a nice learning experience. 15 days later I finally got it running right again with the help of a friend.

The slave cylinder gasket was bad and leaked out, unfortunately for me, i screwed up the new one and will have to rebuild it again as soon as I run to the dealer.
I had a hell of a time getting this thing to bleed properly, even with the power bleeding kit (mityvac) i just couldnt get the thing to fill properly. My friend came over and pumped the handle then cracked the 12MM banjo bolt on the side of the master cylinder and it began to fill properly, we bled it and it finally started working again. The gasket is now crappy so I have to replace it soon but now I know what to do.

Hope the info helps anyone else who's looking, and thanks for the help guys!

 

Good going at getting it going . Makes me wonder of there is a bur that needs to get polished off so you don't keep wrecking the rubber seals. Did you burnish the inside of the cylinder?

 

no no, i was too eager and pressed it in crooked with a vise like a dumbass without lubing the seal....yeah i know ha. but i know for next time

 

Brake assembly lube is best for these jobs where brake fluid is involved. Are you sure your master cylinder is working correctly if you cannot bleed it properly?

 

yeah everything is working properly now, i just have to redo the seal.