How To Bleed A Hydraulic Motorcycle Clutch | The Shop Manual

[@RevZilla]

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[@henrychua7451]

More shop manuals please! These tips and tricks really are very informative!

[@shadowred1980]

I get the old fluid out the res with a paper towel or hydro syringe, before filling up with the new stuff. It saves pumping the old stuff through the system.

[@AriH211]

That's a good tip!

[@pillscottvt6628]

4:20 you gotta clean out the bottom of that reservoir!

[@MitchOfCanada]

yup that much in there i woulda took the line off and put compressed air in there and cleaner to get the debris that are trapped in there.

[@gokulkrishm51]

I've never owned or rode a motorcycle with a hydraulic clutch but it's always interesting to watch something informative.

[@Hutchie2112]

excellent. The cut into the bottle and insert tube, so obvious, yet I never thought of it once. Cleaning brake fluid off off the ground will now be a thing of the past. Great stuff Ari , thank you.

[@firedog5339]

All my bikes have a cable clutch. But I still can’t keep from watching Ari when there’s a new Shop Manual video!

[@Kevin-px7so]

Ari is a legend. Thanks and keep this stuff coming.

[@bikecommuter24]

On the water bottle, I use a punch to make a hole in the cap it holds the hose securely. Also putting a piece of plastic wrap on the painted parts under the reservoir save on headaches.

[@dmaxcustom]

Never owned a bike with hydraulic clutch, but this was certainly informative. Thanks!

[@joruckus]

By far the best explanation of this process.

[@rhemyis]

You should discard the old fluid from the reservoir using a syringe or turkey baster and then fill with fresh fluid before bleeding.

[@jameshisself9324]

Another great video from Ari, thanks buddy. Another one of those pro tips: since that reservoir gets opened rarely, I like to immediately remove all fluid in the reservoir (either very carefully with a rag while avoiding spills or with a MityVac) and wipe out the sediment in the bottom. Always use a clean lint free rag and if necessary some brake cleaner type fluid of your choice, just make sure whatever you use it leaves no residue. The fresh fluid will stay fresher longer and probably not look as bad when the next change is due.

[@pax1980]

I don't even have a hydraulic clutch but listening to Ari Henning talk about motorcycle components is cathartic.

[@jasonjulian1]

Good, simple and informative for those with hydro clutches. Me? I'm interested in Ari's diet and exercise routine. Total calories consumed... Dude stays lean so well!

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

Straight to the point. A very useful video.

[@shishkatian]

God blessed Ari Hinning. Love your trip and tricks man.

[@DennisJPolson]

Very timely as I am in need of servicing the hydraulic systems on my ride. Thanks, Ari!

[@kawabungah20]

Thanks much. The Shop Manual is very helpful! Please keep it coming.

[@cpuuk]

Buy a very small bottle of the hydraulic fluid, because once opened it starts absorbing moisture and so degrades, as such don't plan on using it again in 2 years time.

[@KawasakiZ1Guy]

One of my all time favorite bikes being used for the demo

[@manborn]

I've done a bunch of brake bleeds and so thank u for this, never done clutch before

[@Quatra05]

Love The Shop Manual.

[@AriH211]

We love you too 😁

[@BananasMana]

would love one about steering stem bearings, unless you've already done one and I've missed it! thanks for the continued videos, they're helpful!

[@AriH211]

We haven't covered that one, primarily because like rebuilding a cartridge fork, it's a big job and requires special tools. It is on the list though, and I'll tackle it (and a cartridge fork rebuild) eventually!

[@handbrakeify]

"generally offers a light and consistent feel" I guess Ari has never ridden a Honda with a hydraulic clutch, they're the heaviest I've ever felt!

[@alexfraley]

Idk about using it in clutches, but it was common on the farm to use standard mineral oil in the brake and hydraulic systems if they ever needed a top up and we didn’t have the appropriate fluid.

[@SSS-mp8th]

Super easy thanks!

[@d.mar.2624]

Thanks for posting. It makes this job look easy and I'm ready to tackle it on my own.

[@duke7888]

Thanks Ari! That Duc is 😅ne stunning bike👌🏻

[@redeyedfreaks]

recently picked up a first gen vmax. this'll come in handy

[@emgiusti88]

haha that's the weekend project. Thanks for the reminder

[@enb3810]

Incredibly helpful, thank you!

[@akinyemistella1862]

Thank you, very clear instructions

[@brocky78]

Great Instructions nice & clear well done 👍

[@kmb957]

Bravo Ari 👏

[@jakgt500]

How do you clean the reservoir without introducing air? Is it ok to leave the reservoir dirty?

[@wigletron2846]

You can use a syringe to take all the fluid out of the reservoir. As long as you don't operate the clutch/brake you won't get any air into the system even if the reservoir is dry. Just refill the reservoir before pulling the lever.

[@jakgt500]

@@wigletron2846 thanks bro 👍🏻

[@Ff6022]

Hope more vids will be done on that multistrada

[@dirtbikesicehockey4788]

great tips...have you ever used the syringe reverse bleeding technique?

[@AriH211]

I have. It’s my go-to when replacing hoses.

[@Buckarooskiczek]

One more pro tip: I have a dedicated plastic Pepsi bottle with a proper hole drilled in the cap for the hose, which reaches the bottom of the bottle and protrudes enough where I can set it in the ground and the hose doesn’t want to jump off of the bleeder nipple. When you’re done, just properly dispose of the used fluid in the bottle and save it for the next job.

[@godslayer8998]

I am curious how do you adjust the biting point on hydraulic clutches my panigale 959 bites very earl like mybe 3-5cm of the handllebar how can i adjust that and is it posible.

[@THEGEEK2001]

Can use Shimano / magura / baby oil for mineral fluid.

[@TheDRUM2112]

Great video, thanks!

[@RomanPerez-op5xg]

What happens if you overfill the resoviour, wouldn’t that make the clutch engage more?

[@Lucdz66]

I have changed my brake fluid (dot 4 recommended) for dot 5.1. Can i do the same with my clutch fluid (dot 4 recommended as wel)

[@rraji866]

I used to add a 1/4 water inside the bottle, it makes vaccum chamber so when I bleed out the old oil the hose wont let air to going back to the system..

[@jameshardy6277]

Spot on. As the hose is submerged in fluid, for air to travel up the hose into the bleed nipple it would have to lift the fluid in the catch bottle. Surprised most videos don't mention this.

[@RicoLane83]

Thanks

[@nazhif1]

to this day I'm amazed that only a handful of flagship superbikes come with hydraulic clutches.

[@fattymcgee123]

really? my 1250 bandit from 2008 has a hydraulic clutch. it's the only street bike i've owned, so i don't have a ton of experience in the matter.

[@juha2031]

You did not mention when you add the new liquid into the system? Is it only in the end or all the time when the chamber is getting almost empty?

[@jasonjason7277]

dont let the chamber get near empty. top up once your about half full.

[@MyLife78689]

Thank you

[@trey1531]

Ducati 1000DS!!

[@jasonbedell3530]

CRKT makes really good, affordable knives. SOC makes really good knives as well, if you have the $$. Keyshawn is good also.

[@LucianoAlves-iq3lc]

One question, you don't need power on to do this procedure, right?

[@AkaBull]

Thanks for that 👍

[@bmwdan3445]

I have a BMW K1300S with mineral oil for the hydraulic clutch, Im told that there’s no reason to flush this fluid because it does not absorb moisture like brake fluid. What’s your take on this, the dealer told me this.

[@agoisambaduel3641]

that was great and really nice, thankz

[@rayslife4k]

Can I do it without a bleeder nipple idk where to find one

[@Artistree-hg4lz]

Thanks good video

[@biocta]

When I last bled my RC51's clutch, each time I first pulled the lever after closing the bleeder valve, it wanted to squirt some brake fluid up and out of the reservoir. Had to clean up a couple spills. I had to pull the lever really really slowly to keep the fluid in the reservoir. It only happened on the first full pull, it wouldn't do it on any subsequent pulls. Not sure what's wrong, the master cylinder would probably like to be rebuilt due to age but the clutch works fine when I ride. Is this something that can just happen on some bikes, or could there some weird issue it could have that makes it want to squirt fluid like that without necessarily affecting performance during regular use?

[@jasonjason7277]

thats normal behaviour. its the fluid coming back through the return hole. your initial pull on the lever should be very slow because of the returning fluid. once you reach the biting point you should be ok to pull faster and pump.

[@smartbikers4550]

Is clutch and break fluid is same????

[@jasonjason7277]

yes

[@acvn-hg9gy]

My master cilinder keeps spittibg bubbles and after 15 mibutes of bleeding, nothibg comes out of the nipple. After a rebuild master- and slavecylinder. So with a dry system. Stuff sucks.

[@brianbrown6633]

Great video 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@rony3646]

Never flush the old fluid through the system! Suck it out and clean the tank. Fill with fresh fluid. You really don't need to do the pump method. I just gravity bleed my brakes and clutch. i will close the bleeder and pump one or twice to flush the M/C piston, then i just leave it open. Gravity will do the rest. Takes a little longer but you can't get air bubbles like you can with the pump method.

[@cyclezncigarz7015]

Hey Ari, I've bled my clutch many times but am curious, Is there a difference between the auto parts DOT 4 (i.e. Prestone) & say Motul? The latter is twice as much but if I get better engagement I'd definitely go there. Thoughts??? Thanks

[@jasonjulian1]

The DOT specification is meant to be nearly if not identical between brands. It's like engine oil in that so long as it meets the specification, it is expected to perform adequately.

[@TheManoy66]

Everytime i think of bleeding the brakes or clutch its always Ari that comes to mind. But for some reason, its the Ari Henning with the dreadlocks wearing shades from Motorcyclist Magazine that pops in my head. 🤔

[@andyboyd7511]

That’s a pretty handsome Multi, I can’t say I love the screen but the bike is rad. 1100S DS?

[@loydmunger7695]

Super awesomeness 👌 👏 👍

[@heykat18]

When I tried this method on my 17 SDR I got an error message. Found out it requires to be pressure bled.

[@andreasbeaufort3594]

I got VERY curious about that Ducati. What model is that? And thanks for another Shop Manual! Always great tips in excelent videos!

[@albertque2503]

multistrada, 1100s probably but I’ve never seen a white one with red trellis and that logo

[@jackofnotrades5053]

me casually looking at the most likely 30 year old fluid in my 1994 cb 1000, telling myself that it has been change at least once by the previous owner, but knowing very well it has not been.

[@wigletron2846]

Lol I just went through this on a 14 year old bike. I had no issues with the fluid and it was fairly clean, but I used a brake fluid tester on it and it needed to be changed.

[@rockway32]

The easiest thing to do , made my clutch 100% more easy to pull

[@SynicalBeats]

Vacuum bleeders are so much better and easier.

[@DolfVeenvliet]

What happens if you fill your reservoir to the top in stead of 75%?

[@falcn12]

you get overflow when the engine and clutch heat the fluid in the line. take a syringe and suck some out.

[@thehighflyin12]

Just bleed it some more until the level is where you want it.

[@DolfVeenvliet]

@@thehighflyin12 well sure... Just wondering what would happen if you don't

[@thehighflyin12]

@@DolfVeenvliet it would spill over when you go to put the cap and diaphragm in

[@molallamerica896]

An old whiskey bottle works well because it doesn’t tip over easily.

[@MitchOfCanada]

3:54 - might wanna clean the reservoir first and remove all the debris in there...

[@andyandroseadventure]

more advanced tutorials please!

[@lp_6014]

Til some bikes use a hydraulic clutch

[@disekjoumoer]

Uhm, Ari, the KTM manual says to reverse bleed the clutch. Is there a difference?

[@AriH211]

It serves the same purpose. I think reverse-bleeding makes sense when the reservoir is especially small, since it eliminates the risk of running the fluid low and sucking air.

[@disekjoumoer]

@@AriH211 Thanks, Ari!

[@MainelyMoto207]

"Recycle the fluid" Hahahahahahahahahahhaaha

[@jazlynn011]

Until I find out one of those bolts are rung out on my vtx1800

[@derweibhai]

Speed bleeders!!!!!!! Tue best $7 you can spend!!!!!!

[@wigletron2846]

Over time the valves in speed bleeders can fail. They aren't really necessary on a bike as you can usually reach the bleeder and lever by yourself.

[@timothymills733]

On a Ducati you would never need to change it as within two years it will all have leaked out through the OEM slave cylinder 🙂

[@falcn12]

pneumatic brake bleeder is so much nicer

[@gabrielvazquez2297]

Sorry for the ?. How hot 2016 CBR 1000 supposed to get. That you for your time..

[@gagnon124]

I just rebuilt my clutch master cylinder and now I can't get the air out of it

[@CCitis]

Just be careful with the reservoir open she doesn’t spit back on you!

[@lpka]

I see that even old Ducati reservoir covers are shit as the new one.

[@johnwadsworth4916]

No more mineral oil in these bikes

[@jareddior9909]

It is not this easy I did the exact same thing and clutch fluid doesn’t come out this easy

[@thegraeescape3285]

Worked for me 💁🏻‍♀️

[@tarouyamada2686]

Pretty smart, not showing the front end of that Multistrada. That would easily distract viewers away from the maintenance job. Talk about one ugly Duc, those were some dark times :P

[@Doggebe]

Meh missed the most important part. Drain and clean the reservoir before putting in new fluid. Otherwise you are just pulling crap into the lines.

[@AkaBull]

Damn wish I had waited to the end of this video before dumping old fluid down the toilet 🚻 😕

[@arkantos006]

Damm

[@arkantos006]

Wait wait wait , is this the first comment !?

[@ParadiseBiker]

Don't care 😂😑

[@vonvillamar1037]

5th comment hehe