Motorcycle Repair: 1986 Aspencade hydraulic clutch, v65 magna, hydraulic clutch

Question
Chris,

I have just bought a 1986 Aspencade SEi and the clutch doesn't seem to be working.  I have added the appropriate amount of DOT 4 fluid, but there is just no tension on the handle, even after repeated pumping.  I have not tried to bleed the system yet, but I suspect that's my next move.
1. Do you bleed the clutch the same way as you would a brake?
2. If that's not the problem, what should I do next to find the problem?  I know it could be either the master cylinder, the slave cylinder or the clutch itself.

Thanks alot.
Jon

Answer
Hi Jon.
 So many people have come to me with this problem.  Yours is not the only bike that has it, so you would think that they would tell us all the secret to bleeding hydraulic lines like you have on the GL series, the Magna, the Intruder, the Vulcan, etc., but they don't.  Well I have the bleeding secret and here it is;

Some bikes have an additional problem with both the clutch and front brakes, including my own on my V65 Magna.  The problem stems from the configuration of the master cylinder, which is that the connection to the hydraulic line at the master cylinder creates a pocket that air bubbles like to hide in (this is called a reverse trap) and the method for bleeding that section is a little tricky if you've never done it before.

 Here's the proceedure;

1) Bleed the clutch/brake line like normal.

2) Put a wrench on the banjo fitting and squeeze the lever.


3) (NOTE: Use a box end wrench for this) While holding the clutch/brake lever in, crack loose the fitting and reclose it quickly. Have a rag over the fitting connection that you are working on because it will spit at you as pressure expells the air and a little fluid.

<<<<<<<IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT release pressure on the lever till the fitting is tightened back up or you will suck air back into the line.>>>>>>>

4) Test the clutch/brake again.  If done correctly, you will have pressure near the beginning of the lever movement rather than at the end.

5) repeat as needed, but you should not need more than 2-3 times to get the system working correctly.

NOTE:  If you do this more than 5 times, then you will have to rebuild the slave unit and/or the master cylinder.  Usually, it is the slave unit that goes bad and the fix takes about 30-60 minutes to do)

Good luck.
FALCON