Dear Geek:
What's up with those glasses? Anyway, the clutch on my new Suzuki Bandit feels funny, and the fluid in the window is dark. What should I do?
Wayne Kerr
Miami, Florida
1. Your hydraulic clutch needs to have its fluid changed, and that should fix any problems. Take the cover off the clutch master cylinder and use a syringe with a short tube to remove the old fluid. You can skip this step, but all that dirty fluid will be going through your clutch system.
2. Once you've sucked up as much of the dirty fluid as you can, dab any leftover dirt with a clean rag, being careful not to leave any lint behind. Use some quality DOT 4 brake fluid to refill the reservoir. If you happen to get bubbles trapped in the holes at the bottom, lightly tap the line, lever and reservoir until they are freed.
3. Cut a hole in the top of an old container and feed in the end of a two-foot length of one-quarter inch clear hose. Tape the hose to the container and poke a small breather hole near the top. Route the hose from the bleed screw on the slave cylinder (put the wrench on first) so that it goes straight up for a few inches before looping back into the bottle.
4. Pump the clutch lever several times and, while holding the lever into the bar, crack the bleed screw until fluid comes out. Quickly close the screw and release the clutch lever. Repeat this until the tube has a few inches of fluid above the bleed screw. Top off the master cylinder as needed so the holes in the bottom are always well covered. Open the bleed screw about a quarter turn, and pull the clutch lever in.
5. Leaving the screw open, slowly pump the lever-the fluid in the hose will prevent air from going back into the system on the return stroke. Keep pumping (while ensuring there is always fluid in the master cylinder) until you see clean fluid in the tube. As you pull the lever in slowly, close the bleed screw. Pump the lever several times.
6. Quickly crack the bleed screw open and close while holding the lever into the bar. Pump the lever several times again until it feels normal. Top off the master cylinder and re-fit the cover. Be sure to dispose of your old brake fluid properly. Call (800) CLEAN-UP or visit www.1800cleanup.org to find your closest recycling center.
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