Against all Odds Changed my Clutch and Brake Fluids.

[Mzee]

Well against all odds I was able to change my clutch and brake fluids yesterday.

Having no prior background in this field; makes it even more exciting. My tools:

a) Lots of background reading: internet and YouTube.
b) Service manual
c) Vacuum pump.
d) Missus
e) Myself
f), 3 bottles of Brake fluid 5.1 about 500ml each, a couple of spanners and plenty of time.

Firstly I persuaded myself that I was only changing the fluids which of course made my work much simpler.

Secondly, in changing the fluids, the central principle was not to allow air into the system, and because of my inexperience, I started with the clutch. All went well until we started to drain the brake fluid. For some reason we did not pay attention to the fluid in the cylinder until we hard the whoosh sound. This meant that the cylinder was drained of fluid and possibly air had got into the system. This happened so fast. We remained calm and continued filling the cylinder with fluid. It was a very slow process working the vacuum pump to get the air bubbles out. We did this for the next four hours and used one bottle of fluid. When there were no more bubbles of air, we tightened the nipple and put everything back.

I test rode the bike, checking every time that there was pressure when I engaged the clutch. It worked as well as it has always done. There was no drag on the clutch system.

You see there is a lot of self-discovery here, so we cannot congratulate ourselves yet. For this reason, we decided to post and check with the gurus here that all is well so far. Obviously, the experience is exciting. I do not recommend what I did to another inexperience would be mechanic, but by the same token, I say it can be done with thorough preparation, faith and willingness to ask for help, etc.

The benefits for me have been the gain of knowledge, saving over 300$ in service fees, and joy at conquering the land yonder.

To be continued...

 

[Ramseybella]

Sounds good to me..

First time i bit the bullet and did my Tiger 1050 breaks I was all puckered up, all was going well then during cleaning my front caliper pistons slowly pushing them out using the lever one popped out in my hand!! ???
I was SH*Ting myself in Horror OMG!!! :'(

Never the less I calmed down and inspected it for dirt and slid it back in pressing them back home filled the reservoir and pumped all the air out replaced the EBC pads and life was good once more.
The clutch fluid gets real skanky and you can suck that little reservoir dry in a blink of an eye.

A little tip if your clutch seems spongy or shifts abruptly after bleeding the clutch my mechanic told me sometimes air gets caught in that upper banjo bolt attached to the reservoir. I just held down the lever and with an hex wrench popped it open and let some fluid out then tighten it was good as new..

 

[Mzee]

Sounds good to me..

First time i bit the bullet and did my Tiger 1050 breaks I was all puckered up, all was going well then during cleaning my front caliper pistons slowly pushing them out using the lever one popped out in my hand!! ???
I was SH*Ting myself in Horror OMG!!! :'(

Never the less I calmed down and inspected it for dirt and slid it back in pressing them back home filled the reservoir and pumped all the air out replaced the EBC pads and life was good once more.
The clutch fluid gets real skanky and you can suck that little reservoir dry in a blink of an eye.

A little tip if your clutch seems spongy or shifts abruptly after bleeding the clutch my mechanic told me sometimes air gets caught in that upper banjo bolt attached to the reservoir. I just held down the lever and with an hex wrench popped it open and let some fluid out then tighten it was good as new..

Thank you very much. That is an excellent tip I will not forget. ::012::

 

[Koinz]

Should've mentioned this earlier, might have saved you some time.

Before flushing the fluid through the lines, I would typically use a "turkey baster" and suck the dirty fluid out of the reservoir first, then fill it with clean stuff. This way you are flushing the system with clean stuff right from the start.

Great job on Flushing the system though. The vacuum pump helps alot as well. ::012::

 

[Mzee]

Should've mentioned this earlier, might have saved you some time.

Before flushing the fluid through the lines, I would typically use a "turkey baster" and suck the dirty fluid out of the reservoir first, then fill it with clean stuff. This way you are flushing the system with clean stuff right from the start.

Great job on Flushing the system though. The vacuum pump helps alot as well. ::012::

Thank you. Another great tip. ::012::

 

[terrysig]

Should've mentioned this earlier, might have saved you some time.

Before flushing the fluid through the lines, I would typically use a "turkey baster" and suck the dirty fluid out of the reservoir first, then fill it with clean stuff. This way you are flushing the system with clean stuff right from the start.

Great job on Flushing the system though. The vacuum pump helps alot as well. ::012::

I do a similar thing calling it the lazy mans way. I vaccum out the dirty fluid and fill with clean. Then ride and do the same thing over a couple of days or weeks. I've had the clutch clear in just a couple re-fills. Brakes always take a handful of re-fills. In retrospect should just vaccuum from the bottom but one whoosh on the linked FJR had me chasing bubbles for hours.This takes 20 mins a few times.

 

[Brick]

Hmmm you mention using Dot 5..1 fluid. I thought that was silicon based or something? I've always used Dot 4. ???

 

[avc8130]

Hmmm you mention using Dot 5..1 fluid. I thought that was silicon based or something? I've always used Dot 4. ???

DOT 5 is silicone and should not be mixed with 3/4/5.1.

It's confusing.

ac

 

[Ramseybella]

DOT-4 is Yamaha's recommendation for the fluids..

 

[Mzee]

Well yesterday, following my first experience with evacuating the clutch fluid, I took the plunge and completed the front and rear brake fluid drain. It took exactly 45 minutes. For an amateur, it was a great feeling. I started with the front right, took the lid off the cylinder, the fluid was clear and not looking grey and smelling as what I found in the clutch cylinder. I connected the vacuum to the nipple, loosened it and viola it was over in 15 mins.

This time I kept refilling the cylinder as the fluid continued to drain and never took my eye off. Then I did the same for the left nipple and finally the rear brake system, closed and cleaned up everything. Whoever invented that vacuum pump made working the brake fluids really easy.

I took her for a spin and the brakes felt fine, no spongy feeling, or any other alien feeling I am not familiar with. I went to bed feeling thankful, great and happy that I have taught myself something worth while against all odds.

The one picture shows all the fluid I drained from all the brake system. The other pictures shows my tools. What I have not included are midsize Phillips crew driver, a ring spanner size 8 and 10, gloves and some tissue to wipe out the fluid.

 

[Mzee]

Hmmm you mention using Dot 5..1 fluid. I thought that was silicon based or something? I've always used Dot 4. ???

The last time I changed my brake fluid Yamaha used Dot.5.1. and said it was okay. I have continued to use the same. I have not mixed it with anything other than Dot 5.1. I know Yamaha recommends Dot 4, but it is as you correctly point out, it is only a recommendation.

As a matter of fact, I bought the 5.1 from Yamaha. I hope that helps. ::012:: ::013::


Thank you everyone for the fantastic support. You are all a great bunch of riders. You have my vote. ::013::

Dot 5.1 is non silicone based. See attachment below of the particular 5.1 I used.

 

[Mzee]

The next thing I need to learn how to do is change spark plugs. Anyone willing to help school me?