clutch

[hux9800]

hi all,im im in australia,,i have a 2002vfirestorm,there is a clutch problem,clutch lever over extends,clutch jumps ,its hydraulic,,no adjustment, im very sure it can be fixed,,any assistance?

[tony.mon]

Welcome!

Not sure what you mean by the lever over-extends...
But there is a problem inherent with the clutch with all Firestorm/superhawk models, when trying to launch the bike quickly, especially on the drag strip, as you release the clutch it's fine, but as you then add more throttle the clutch makes a graunching noise and locks up.
You get interesting wheelies, but it doesn't launch quickly.

Is that your problem?

[hux9800]

ahhhh,,,thanks for the reply,,the clutch lever comes all the way out,the clutch only engages about 1/16th of an inch before it stops,then put on the throttle,it releases and grabs,as if it needs to be about 1/2 inch like most normal clutch handles,
its hydrauliic,as you know,and no adjustment, so im wondering if something inside is lose or broken,,just wondered where to look before i pull it apart and break something expensive,
bruce

[Wicky]

Have you tried replacing the hydraulic flid and bleeding it? What condition is the clutch slave seal & piston & bore? as grit can work its way way in scratching the slave piston bore / damaging the seal causing a slow leak of fluid - which in turn progressively alters the clutch biting point.

[tony.mon]

Have you tried replacing the hydraulic flid and bleeding it? What condition is the clutch slave seal & piston & bore? as grit can work its way way in scratching the slave piston bore / damaging the seal causing a slow leak of fluid - which in turn progressively alters the clutch biting point.

Exactly right, Wicky.
Bleed the fluid through, check for leaks at the slave (lower cylinder) end.

Did you take the front sprocket cover off recently?
The spring inside the slave pushes the piston out allowing air into the system and you have to re-bleed.
if so, when you bleed it, just keep going, it takes longer than you think it should about 20 minutes of normal bleeding should get it back.

[MacV2]

Have you tried replacing the hydraulic flid and bleeding it? What condition is the clutch slave seal & piston & bore? as grit can work its way way in scratching the slave piston bore / damaging the seal causing a slow leak of fluid - which in turn progressively alters the clutch biting point.

ha a ha ha you said 'flid'...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=flid

Not heard that in years...damm the PC brigade...

[Wicky]

Have you tried replacing the hydraulic flid and bleeding it? What condition is the clutch slave seal & piston & bore? as grit can work its way way in scratching the slave piston bore / damaging the seal causing a slow leak of fluid - which in turn progressively alters the clutch biting point.

ha a ha ha you said 'flid'...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=flid

Not heard that in years...damm the PC brigade...

In a previous life as a sixthformer in that Inbetweeners stage of life, there was a school trip to the Gower Penisula for a week supposedly setting an example to the bulk of 5th formers - and there was a crazy craze much to the exasperation of the teachers of doing flid impresssions (sticking ones arms through the opposite arm in jumpers/coats). I think we captured the record for the most flids in a telephone box - fully documented with photos.

Also have a biker friend whose surname is Field - which transmogrified into his biker nickname 'Flid'. ( A little secret not to be told to anyone under any circumstance - is around the same time my biker nick courtesy of the old curmudgeon Ian Mutch from MAG is 'Cherry Cake John' cos of my fondness for er cherry cake or sumfink.)

[sirch345]

Welcome aboard

I hope you're getting somewhere with the Storm's clutch,

Chris.