gsx1100g clutch gone

[gandy666]

hi, so the hydraulic clutch on my GSX1100g has gone altogether.

there a few kits around on the net. anyone who's done a clutch rebuild before, do I just need the friction plates, or do I need the full kit with separator plates and springs? bike has only done 18000 miles amd i haven't thrashed it.

bike was laid up for a while so assuption is the friction plates dried out and with me using the bike pretty regularly now, the friction plates have disintegrated. cltuch was absolutely fine til last week, then the pressure went in the lever, assuming cos the friction on the plates went. i bled them through, nice the engine spins when I change gear.

also. do I need to change the oil when I change the plates?

How easy a job is a hydrulic clutch rebuild ? anyone got some instructions?

[Bezzer]

It'll be better to check the clutch condition before you buy anything given the problems you've been having previously which point to the slave-master cylinder actuation side. You're presuming they are knackered but check the actual condition of the plates to see if they are still in good condition, in spec, basket not notched etc before forking out on bits you might not need.
You can usually do it without losing any/minimal oil if you put the wheels on a plank then over on it's sidestand before taking the cover off but you might well need a new cover gasket.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[gandy666]

done a bit of research and I may have overfilled the reservoir when I changed the fluid and bled the system on Sunday.

makes sense - brake fluid expands as the cable goes over the engine, thus engaging the clutch, thus the problem only occurs when the bike has fully warmed up. didn't happen until 38 miles into a 40 mile journey. same last night. certainly was not a problem before I lost clutch pressure on Friday.

sounds feasible and I can do it by the roadside afore I drive tonight - just have get a straw and sook some fluid out.

will let you know how I get on.

[Vincent]

It sounds like your problem is more likely to be the actuator side of things rather than the plates. When the plates are worn out, the clutch will start to slip and gradually get worse rather than the lever go soft. Have you checked the fluid level in the reservoir?
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Space Is Deep

[gandy666]

thanks for the replies guys - much appreciated

[gandy666]

not too much fluid in the reservoir. took some out no change.

not the oil - phoned suzuki tech support and a couple of dealers / mechanics. 10W40 Semi synthetic is the recommended oil for the bike.

check the push rod tonight, but everything pointing towards worn friction plates / springs / spacers

[gandy666]

for anyone still following this, it turned out to be the return hole into the master cylinder reservoir was blocked when the hydraulic fluid went off and turned to jelly, plus the master cylinder piston was not returning to rest properly to allow fluid back into the res, plus the friction plates were worn.

so a combo