Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
I have a 2012 KTM 500EXC and enjoy it! I’m having concerns with the clutch. I keep losing the deal with. It’s like there is air in the line. It ultimately returns rather. I’ve kept the master cylinder filled, and I’ve attempted bleeding it, however to be sincere, I believe I made it even worse! Any pointers would be considerably valued!
“Fading Fred”
through[email protected]
We called up Alec Morefield from Slavens Racing for their input on handling the hydraulic clutch problem. Here’s his sage suggestions:
Due to the age of your bike, your master cylinder and/or servant cylinder more than likely requirement to be restored. Bikes that sit and do not get ridden frequently or simply long in the tooth usually need a restore package to repair your issue. These sets include the essential seals and O-rings to effectively restore your master cylinder and servant cylinder. After utilizing a reconstruct package, you will wish to follow the very same bleeding treatment as mentioned listed below. Before purchasing a reconstruct package, you can attempt the reverse bleeding treatment to guarantee you do not simply have air in your line.
Reverse bleeding the clutch line and clutch master cylinder is actually a primary job. Rekluse makes a clutch bleeding package that will appropriately bleed your clutch. Before you begin this procedure, ensure you have a bleeding set (like the Rekluse system) and the appropriate fluid. A Lot Of KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas designs utilize brake fluid DOT 4 or 5.1, however some older KTMs take mineral oil. Just take a look at the cap on top of your master cylinder and it will inform you what sort of fluid to utilize. If you have aftermarket caps on your master cylinder, describe your owner’s handbook to guarantee you utilize the appropriate fluid. Utilizing the incorrect fluid will lead to you needing to replace/rebuild your master cylinder and servant cylinder.
Next, eliminate the cap, and we suggest covering the master cylinder with a store towel to soak up the brake fluid/mineral oil that will slosh out as soon as the procedure starts. To start reverse bleeding your clutch, you will wish to begin down on the servant cylinder. Before you hook the bleeder set (syringe and clear line) as much as the bleed screw on the servant cylinder, fill your syringe up with the appropriate fluid. Put in the time to press out all the air bubbles in your syringe. When your syringe is filled, eliminate the rubber cap off the bleed screw on the servant cylinder. Before hooking the syringe to the bleed screw, make sure you loosen up the bleed screw. Next, put the syringe/line on the bleed screw and gradually press the fluid up from the servant through the clutch line and out the master cylinder. Keep pressing the fluid through and permit the towel to take in the overflow of the fluid (or container to capture the fluid) up until you no longer see air bubbles in the master cylinder.
