Clutch fluid issues

[Duke Konan]

Hi,

My relatively new monster S2R slipped off the stand while parked on a hill yesterday (DUH...yeah I feel stupid). All seem fine other than scratch bar end and brake lever until I dropped my glove this morning, bent down to pick it up and noticed that the window near the clutch slave cylinder was devoid of any liquid! I then looked at the reservoir and couldn't see any fluid in there either.

Could it be that the fall has caused it to leak? I have found what appears to be a leak just above the cat where the two halves of the block that the engine sits on joins.

In terms of symptoms, the bike is a little more jumpy when cold but rides absolutely fine after a few minutes. Clutch isn't dragging, gears are engaging pretty much as normal from what I can tell. I did smell a slight burning smell once or twice today.

Could the fall have jarred something and caused the fluid to leak? Also, what are the effects of riding like this? Is it ok to ride a bike a few miles to the mechanic or should I have it collected in a van?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Nickj]

It's not a good idea using a hydraulic system without any or little fluid, you could easily find your clutch stops working, that is pull lever and no disengage. That would probably be rated as a bad thing!!
Burning smells are usually not too good either, usually rated as bad too.

First thing to do is give the engine a quick clean so that you can see if you do have a leak and also to remove any fluid on the casings if you do. Hydraulic fluid makes a good paint stripper!!
Then top up the fluid to the correct levels, if you work the clutch for a few minutes you'll see if there's a leak anywhere.

Find it, fix it.

[Nickj]

Oh its also quite a good idea to get into the habit of doing a small 'pre-flight' visual check.
Tyres, controls, lights...

[Pomp1]

not sure as I havent got an s2r, but you're not talking about the rotor window? that wouldn't have any liquid in it anyway.

[Nickj]

The window on the right hand side is for checking the timing, shouldn't be anything but air in there.
The window on the left, about twice the size is the oil level. On the side stand the level will probably drop below the window. With he bike upright it ought to be between the two marks on the casings.

[Pomp1]

^^^^^^correct, but he says "the window near the slave" and not having an s2r I wasn't sure..tried to google pics but tey're too small.Beside if there was a leak, the clutch would feel very "spongy" and soon loose effectiveness.
I would assume the leak is from somewhere else. Is the leak between the two halves of the crankcase? If so the burning smell could be oil dripping on the cat

[Pedro]

The window on the right hand side is for checking the timing, shouldn't be anything but air in there.
The window on the left, about twice the size is the oil level. On the side stand the level will probably drop below the window. With he bike upright it ought to be between the two marks on the casings.

Errr... the sight glass on the right hand case (as you're sitting on it) is the oil level and the sight glass on the left is for the timing last time I looked.

So the sight glass by the clutch slave should be free from oil etc

[Pomp1]

left,right,what difference it makes..:D

[Nickj]

Surely can't you mean that you don't sit on the bike facing the back ???????
Must be why it took me so long to get the hang of riding :dizzy:

[jerry]

My S4 was knocked over 2 months ago and the clutch master on the lever was blown when the lever was forced in so hard so no clutch pressure replaced for £120.probably similar problem they cannot be repaired as brembo do not sell the seals.

[pike]

My S4 was knocked over 2 months ago and the clutch master on the lever was blown when the lever was forced in so hard so no clutch pressure replaced for £120.probably similar problem they cannot be repaired as brembo do not sell the seals.

Yeah, although my problem was with the back brake master cylinder, you're right, I had to buy a complete new unit as they don't sell a seal kit.

Back to the initial clutch problem though, was there a puddle of fluid under/adjacent to the bike? i'm just guessin if it was full before then leaked overnight you should have noticed something??Cause I dion't think clutch fluid evaporates?

[jerry]

It will evaporate eventually ,, it does in thailand , but is 30c here.