Honda Shadow hydraulic clutch problem

[m***@hotmail.com]

I've got a 1996 Honda Shadow VT1100C. I got it all ready to roll today, and
as I squeezed the clutch lever, it had no pressure to it whatsoever, and it
didn't function. It is a hydraulic clutch system, so the first thing I did
was to check the master cylinder. It had no fluid. It worked fine when I
used it last. I assumed that the fluid had leaked out somewhere while the
bike was sitting in storage in the garage. However, I can't find anyplace
where it looks like there was a leak. There's not even an oily spot on the
concrete garage floor anywhere underneath the bike. I refilled the master
cylinder, but how do I bleed the clutch system? I tried to trace the clutch
line from the master cylinder, in hopes of finding where to bleed it, but I
was unable to. Can somebody help me? Thanks a bunch.

[David T. Ashley]

Post by m***@hotmail.com
I've got a 1996 Honda Shadow VT1100C. I got it all ready to roll today, and
as I squeezed the clutch lever, it had no pressure to it whatsoever, and it
didn't function. It is a hydraulic clutch system, so the first thing I did
was to check the master cylinder. It had no fluid. It worked fine when I
used it last. I assumed that the fluid had leaked out somewhere while the
bike was sitting in storage in the garage. However, I can't find anyplace
where it looks like there was a leak. There's not even an oily spot on the
concrete garage floor anywhere underneath the bike. I refilled the master
cylinder, but how do I bleed the clutch system? I tried to trace the clutch
line from the master cylinder, in hopes of finding where to bleed it, but I
was unable to. Can somebody help me? Thanks a bunch.

Your best bet is to get the Honda shop manual. Honda distributes these
through Helm, Inc. (www.helminc.com).

It appears they have yours and it costs $36.00.

Expect 1-2 weeks for delivery.

That should answer all of your questions ...

In the interim, you might have a Honda dealership do the work for you.

As far as where the hydraulic oil went ... "the crankcase" seems like an
obvious possible answer, depending on how the system works and what failed.

[The Older Gentleman]

Post by m***@hotmail.com
I refilled the master
cylinder, but how do I bleed the clutch system?

Via the bleed nipple, exactly as with a brake.

Pull in lever, open nipple, close nipple, release lever, pull in lever,
open nipple, close nipple, release lever, repeating ad nauseam.

It can take some time before pressure builds up and fluid enters the
system, mind. It's often quicker to pump the lever a few times, hold it
in, and then open the nipple.

[P. Roehling]

Post by The Older Gentleman
It can take some time before pressure builds up and fluid enters the
system, mind. It's often quicker to pump the lever a few times, hold it
in, and then open the nipple.

And place a container down to catch the energetic squirt that will otherwise
go all over your garage floor...

[Stupendous Man]

The slave is hidden behind the cover by your left ankle. Remove it by
pulling out. The slave is an easy replacement, my wife has the same bike,
same problem last year. The rebuild kit was about $35, no idea what a whole
cyl costs.

[e***@eastlink.ca]

Hi, I own a 1983 shadow and the same thing happened to mine last year. I
had to rebuild both the master cylinder and the slave cylinder, not a hard
job. The hardess part was to bleed the system. I have the honda service
manual from honda and the way they discribed how to do it just did not work.
The only way I could get it done was to loosen the hose where it connects
to the master cylinder. My master cylinder is pointing to the sky and it
traps air in there and there is just no other way to get the air out. A
friend of mine told me that many shops forces the fluid from the bottom
bleeder screw up to the master cylinder. That would probably work if you
had a pump or go to the drug store and get one of those real large syringe,
cheap and effective.

Have fun

ERic

[Stupendous Man]

. A

Post by e***@eastlink.ca
friend of mine told me that many shops forces the fluid from the bottom
bleeder screw up to the master cylinder. That would probably work if you
had a pump or go to the drug store and get one of those real large syringe,
cheap and effective.

That's the easy way, and necessary in some BMW cars. Use a short section of
clear tubing to attach it to the bleeder. Make sure you have a garden hose
within reach in case something goes wrong, brake fluid is easily washed away
.

[Zyp]

Post by Stupendous Man
. A

Post by e***@eastlink.ca
friend of mine told me that many shops forces the fluid from the
bottom bleeder screw up to the master cylinder. That would probably
work if you had a pump or go to the drug store and get one of those
real large syringe,
cheap and effective.

That's the easy way, and necessary in some BMW cars. Use a short
section of clear tubing to attach it to the bleeder. Make sure you
have a garden hose within reach in case something goes wrong, brake
fluid is easily washed away .

And try not to get any on the paint. It's great paint remover.

[r***@gmail.com]

Post by Zyp

Post by Stupendous Man
. A

Post by e***@eastlink.ca
friend of mine told me that many shops forces the fluid from the
bottom bleeder screw up to the master cylinder. That would probably
work if you had a pump or go to the drug store and get one of those
real large syringe,
cheap and effective.

That's the easy way, and necessary in some BMW cars. Use a short
section of clear tubing to attach it to the bleeder. Make sure you
have a garden hose within reach in case something goes wrong, brake
fluid is easily washed away .

And try not to get any on the paint. It's great paint remover.
--
Zyp try putting fliud in start sqiuzing the clutch until you see no more bubbles it will start getting tighter as you squezz