Clutch not working after front sprocket replacement

Hey guys.

So I just replaced my chain and sprockets, and in the process, you have to remove the clutch slave cylinder (to get to the front sprocket). After putting it all back together (no bolts left over, yay), the clutch doesn't engage. I pull it in, change gears, let it out, and nothing. With the bike off, if it's in gear, it still rolls around fine without the clutch being engaged.

I took it back apart and the cylinder seems to be working, if I don't tighten the bolts for it all the way and pull the clutch in, I can feel it trying to push out. I didn't forget to put the pushrod in or anything. I've taken it apart a few times now, with no luck.

I feel like I'm missing something stupid (entirely possible) or just did something horribly wrong, but I pretty much followed my Haynes manual to a T except for not getting a new gasket, which I don't think would affect it like this.

Any ideas? Thanks for reading and any help would be appreciated.

PS - the bike is a '99, with about 40,000 miles on it, if that helps.

 

Make sure the rod is going into the piston seal. Check that the piston goes back the whole way, and that the rod is straight, you can pull it out to check.

 

Maybe you've pushed a bit of crud back into the relief port in the master cylinder so the piston moves out but won't retract? Probably best to start with a flush and bleed of the clutch line and see if that clears it.

 

Thanks guys. I re-seated the rod into the piston a few times and finally got it on so that it works. I need to bleed the clutch soon anyway and I'll do that when I get home (now that I can), since I have uninstalled speed bleeders there.

Thanks for the replies!