Used Motorcycle Rehab - Clutch Fluid Change - VFR800 Episode 1

I haven't shown this bike on the channel before, but today we'll be tackling a clutch fluid change on my VFR800. This is one of those jobs that your friends may mock you for doing, since it's pretty simple, and very easy to put off, but you do so at your own peril. A failure of the clutch release mechanism, whether it's a cable, like the SV650, or a hydraulic system like this VFR800, is one of a relatively few things that's likely to strand you on the side of the road. As such, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and we'll provide that ounce of prevention today.

[@Father_EggWhites]

Thank you for recording this I’m doing this tomorrow and had no clue how to properly do it till now

[@TheReapersSon]

Excellent video and clear presentation that gets right to the point, with no music or distractions from the lesson at hand. I hope you will make other videos, as I would watch more of this type of content. I have a 5th Gen ('99) and I imagine the process is pretty much the same on that gen vs. the 6th gens.

[@AaronAverett]

Thanks, I'm glad it helped you! I've never worked on a 5th gen, but really, the process for this is basically the same on any motorcycle with a hydraulic clutch that I've ever seen, VFR or otherwise.

[@TheReapersSon]

@@AaronAverett Yeah I just went and looked on my '99 and it's the same plug and bolt. I'm gonna do it this coming week because you made it look so easy! Can you do a linked brake fluid change, next? :)

[@AaronAverett]

I totally would, if I still had that bike. :(

[@alexslaydon5589]

Thanks for the video Aaron! Super clear and easy to follow. Will be doing this on my 03 VFR tomorrow!

[@AaronAverett]

Thanks, man! Don't forget your JIS screwdriver! ;)

[@beaujerry6089]

instablaster...

[@acvn-hg9gy]

Aaaaaand subbed! Clear video quality and angles, good info, nice voice to listen to, and you have the second best motorcycle in the world, only after the 5th gen ;p

[@carlchristianson4269]

very clear and concise, thx. what diameter is the bleed hose you used?

[@AaronAverett]

Thanks! I think the tube is 6 or 7 mm ID, but it came with the bleed bottle, so I didn't have to buy it, and the ends on it are a little stretched out, so I can't measure it accurately for you. It looks like they've revised the bottle design, but this is the current iteration of it. It's a game changer versus using an empty soda bottle and a piece of aquarium tubing. www.amazon.com/Genesis-Person-Brake-Bleeder-Bottle/dp/B000W7F2GI

[@mrsaip]

Great vid. I’ll try it on my vfr 08.

[@ristokekko8147]

Nice video.

[@derekrostock1596]

Curious what you would do next to combat the super high clutch grab point on the 5th Gen VFR. Clutch springs? MC rebuild? Mine grabs hard but only the last 5mm of travel. Thanks in advance.

[@AaronAverett]

The engagement point would be close to the handlebar if this were an issue with the hydraulic system, so I doubt overhauling the master or slave will fix your problem. It might be worth pulling the clutch cover off to check the condition of the clutch itself. It's possible it's just worn out, and that's one of the things that could happen if it is. There is a procedure for checking the clutch pack in the service manual that involves measuring the thickness of the steels and frictions with a caliper. Or you could just replace them, if you've got it all apart. I don't think they're expensive. Are the levers on your 5th gen not adjustable? The ones on my 6th gen were. It would have been pretty easy to adjust this out that way, as a last resort.

[@derekrostock1596]

@@AaronAverett Thanks for the input! The bike only has 10k miles so I doubt it’s the plates themselves but you never know. I’ve heard the high grab point just being a quirk of the ‘98-‘99 model years but it’s something I’d def be interested in fixing if I could replace components entirely. I’ve read they revised the ‘00-02 clutch assembly to “smooth” out shifting. I’ll probably just replace disks while in there and throw some heavier springs on to see if it changes anything. Appreciate it!

[@AaronAverett]

@@derekrostock1596 you could maybe also grind a few hairs off of the clutch release rod, if you just want the friction zone closer to the handlebar.

[@douglascursons1500]

I have same issue on my 2000 gen 5 ..biting point is just before full release of lever travel..and it only done 20k ..think its standard and like u say its a quirk of that era ..I bled the clutch all as well prior ..all fine

[@acvn-hg9gy]

I notoced this with my 5th gen aswell. Have you found a fix for it yet? Best regards

[@audience7264]

Damn jis head. Just make it universal philips. Everyone has phillips

[@AaronAverett]

Maybe in Japan, everyone has a zillion JIS screwdrivers in their toolbox, and Phillips screwdrivers are rare as hen's teeth.

[@BigBadLoneWolf]

JIS is a better head, the screwdriver will not cam out and chew up like a phillips. you can always swap out for hex socket screws