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katie1 · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 9:04 pm Post subject: Clutchless gear changes

The kind of title that makes me sound fairly hardcore but, in reality, what I've had to do for most of my 130 round trip today!
Not sure if this is just a coincidence but after a trip out yesterday, topped up the oil. Still seems to be below minimum after adding 3/4 litre but as of this morning I have almost no clutch! Bike pulls even with the clutch pulled fully in and I had some interesting gear changes, especially going through rush-hour Watford...

So, questions. Is it coincidence and the clutch slave seals have given up, big time, straight after filling up with oil or have I committed the classic Aprilia 'too much oil' error?

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Remember, when you are dead, you do not know you are dead. It is only painful for others.
The same applies when you are stupid.

old git · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 5:56 am Post subject:

sounds more like you have got air in the clutch system.
Too much oil would usually blow into the airbox ( often noted on several bikes) but not sure if you had sooo much as 3/4L too much.
I would check the oil level correctly and bleed the clutch system, have a look in the resevoir could be as simple as the level is too low ( theres not much in there to start with) and you have let air in.
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Hiding under a carpet of grey hair & lard.

fatboy · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 6:31 pm Post subject:

Havingrepaired and replaced a few slave cylinders, they usually give you warning signs, diminishing fluid level and clutch performance, tell tale fluid dribbles below the cylinder...usuallly !
as OG pointed out it is all too easy tolet the level of fluid drop enough too allow air in, a bit of woohoo wayhay cornering with low fluid levels can do that
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Cleverly disguised as an adult !

katie1 · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 7:27 pm Post subject:

Thanks chaps, will check the fluid levels at the weekend and see if that's the problem.

In the meantime, the VFR is meeting my woohoowayhaying needs

_________________
Remember, when you are dead, you do not know you are dead. It is only painful for others.
The same applies when you are stupid.

katie1 · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 12:50 pm Post subject:

Ok, just checked in my garage and can only find Dot 4. It's compatible with Dot 5.1 but the manual states Dot 5. I'm guessing it's probably had 5 in if that's the Aprilia standard but does anyone use anything else?
_________________
Remember, when you are dead, you do not know you are dead. It is only painful for others.
The same applies when you are stupid.

fatboy · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 6:40 pm Post subject:

I would have no concerns at all about dropping to DOT 4 on the clutch, both are compatible.
I actually use DOT4 in the clutch abd DOT5.1 in the stoppers.
This is because of price and convenience, DOT 4 was in all of the hydraulilics when my bike left the factory, 5.1 is better hence my use of it in the stoppers, DOT 4 runs the brakes on the car which weighs a fair bit more than the bike !
Unless you are a stunt rider your clutch will never need to work as hard as your brakes
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Cleverly disguised as an adult !

D-Rider · Admin Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 15430 Location: Coventry

katie1 · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 4:52 am Post subject:

D-Rider · Admin Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 15430 Location: Coventry