What clutch

Today I rode to work - well I tried, but pulled out of it after 20 km.

Clutch felt a bit soft at the end of the street, 10 km later clutch would not disengage - nearly implanted myself in the back of an Audi - though to myself "this is not OK". Returned home and managed to do a start on my driveway to get the old girl into her bedroom (the garage). Completed my trip in the tin top.

Home this afternoon, and absolutely no pressure at all on the lever. Lifted the lid and the fluid (which is only a few months old) is back as the ace of spades - doesn't even smell like dot 4 should. No leaks anywhere and level was good - same as when it was changed. When depressing the lever, a little fountain appears in the M/C - I believe this is not quite normal, or is it?

The pricing of this item (AP8106713 replaced by 978607) is a little pricey, anywhere from USD 350 - 780, if available. The Brembo Part No is 10777011 and I think the kit is PSC12 but not sure. Are these made from rocking horse poo?

Question for the educated:
Is there a rebuild kit for this item?
What are alternatives that are available?
Can a radial M/C fit into the equation successfully?

A slave cylinder (05086330) is around USD 100, should I spin for one of these while I am there?

What are my options - the bike is coming up to 14 years old?

This could be classified as a "failed to proceed" event.

Tony? The plunger on the clutch lever hasn't come loose has it?

Another possibility is that the friction material on one or both plates has in-riveted and jammed the plates in such a way there isn't enough travel in the pushrod to separate them.

Neither Pete - well the plunger is OK, doubt the friction plates. There is no pressure on the clutch lever at all - sometimes there is a little, sometimes none - feels like there is no fluid in it at all.

When the clutch kinda worked this morning, it was spongey and the take up point was all over the place - pumping it allowed it to sort of work.

I might be wrong, but the colour of the fluid is probably a dead give away...

Is the 110436292 the right kit for this device?

KIT

Not sure Tony, sorry, I've never had to rebuild one.

The slave hasn't come loose has it?

I'm still thinking from your description it might be friction plate related.

Thanks Pete, it's a little bit harder to debug that one, if it's the case. I will check the slave ...

Slave is tight on it's mount/screws - bugger to get to though!

New Clutch Pump for $386 from Mario. Decisions, decisions...

I humbly offer you my original GRiSO master cylinder. I like my radial unit. I ain’t going back to stock.

We keep going forward at this rate, Mark, I will end up with a GRiSO! Let's talk off line, after I see if I can get the kit (only $40).

Is it the same as mine? Mario suggested to buy the rebuild kit if I can get it.

I really don't think it's the master Tony. The little fountain of fluid shows its working I reckon. Look, disconnect the line from the master and put your thumb over the end of it and pump. You'll feel if it's working.

I'll try that Pete, probably tomorrow night. The fluid is black as which is indicative of something too. Not sure what though...

For some reason Tony the CARC bikes are murder on their clutch fluid. I have no idea why but they are, that's why we always do it at every 10,000km service.

Oz1200Guzzi wrote:

Is it the same as mine? Mario suggested to buy the rebuild kit if I can get it.

Yep. Same part number.

Yup, all the CARC bikes use the same M/C

Thanks for all the advice - I will start steeling my mind to the task at hand - there is a pile of shit going down in my personal life ATM, so I am just inclined to leave it alone until I feel benevolent towards it.

Sigh!

Do you have the space and wherewithal to drop the motor Tony? If you haven't done it before it's a fairly major job and I fear that this is what is going to be needed.

Have space and all tools Pete - motivation seems to be avoiding me at the moment.

Tony, if it's not something you want happening while you sort the house & other stuff you can store or work on the bike in my single garage.
There's only my bike in it.
And if you choose to work on it here in patches there's a spare bed for those times when it's gotten a bit late or you've had a few too many beverages while figuring things out.

Thanks Craig, appreciate the offer. I won't make any decisions just yet, the next few weeks may clarify where I am at.

Hi Tony,
I had the same issue with my Gris 850 last year.
When doing my first trip after the winter rest I noticed that the clutch went in very easy without any pressure.
But it seemed to work when I put in the 1st geat and took off, but when trying to put in the 2nd gear it didn't work and I came to a halt with the engine stopped. So I had to go back with the bike, hadn't gone to far away from home
I started to check the rake fluid level, but the level was correct but nothing happened when I pull the lever, it went in very easy now, when doing it I could also see a small fountain of fluid going up from the M/C, like 2 cm or 3/4".
I then started to bleed the system, changing the brake fluid at the same time, but after I was done the clutch felt as before and I didn't have any problems so far during last year season. Hopefully the season will start here in Sweden soon, right now it's -10C and a lot of snow here in Stockholm

wait a second... seeing as how that the first time in 14 years you've changed the clutch fluid....
are you sure of what you put in there          
DOT4 doesn't usually go black in 4 months....


dropping the engine - or actually , lifting the frame off the engine isn't all that bad Tony.

but you do need space and time - and good roof joists!

-don't forget to do the main bearing when you're in that far..... mine still leaks....(its awaiting time and space   )

I transport it to Pete and Michael this coming Saturday - I will be having a house move while it is at the doctor! Hopefully it will be all sorted by the gurus and while I would rather do it myself, the time and events surrounding me right now prohibit me from doing it.

New house buyer: "Why is there a motorbike tied to the rafters?"
Agent: "Oh the owner is rebuilding his MG, should be finished in a few months as he's moved up country"
buyer: "pass"