Clutch Fluid Level

GRiSO Capo Posts : 956 Join date : 2014-06-05

Hi all,
I just noticed that the little clutch fluid indicator window on my bike appears to be empty. The clutch seems to be operating fine, though it does tire the hand out around town quicker than my other bikes do. The bike is a 2011 with less than 3k miles and I can't see any sign of a leak, so I'm guessing it came from the factory like this. Can this wait until I take it in for other service, or should I be more concerned?

Godfather Posts : 3154 Join date : 2013-05-28 Age : 59

First off, remove the lid from your clutch reservoir and have an actual look. If it were empty, the clutch wouldn't work. Take the lid off and reassure yourself.

Some GRiSOs have a more stout pull than others, but I can't remember the exact year splits. If yours is one of the tougher models, then I think this can be remedied with spring and/or clutch plate swaps if I remember correctly.

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2012 MOTO GUZZI GRiSO 1200SE

2013 MOTO GUZZI STELVIO 1200NTX - Orange Blossom Special

Tiradritto Posts : 325 Join date : 2013-12-01

yea it is not empty, actually do not over fill they will blow out the excess while you are riding as a mist and dot 3/4 eats paint , it will also eat the tank or any other palstic if it hits it...just a hint if you spill brake fluid DO NOT WIPE IT OFF run cold water over it don't touch it and you will never know where it landed. if you rub it the softened paint or plastic will show the mark and look worse.

most of the time the paint will lay back down and re-adhere when softened by brake fluid and you will never know it happened (this may take a day or two)

Guzzi seems to ship with motul fluid in the res in the US which is dark and hard to see might want to check with a light

I usually put a drape on the bike and wrap a towel on the mc while filling or bleeding brakes, you never see that one spot of errant brake fluid till the next morning Mad

GRiSO Capo Posts : 956 Join date : 2014-06-05

Thanks for the advice guys. I opened the reservoir and found that it did in fact have a fluid level slightly above the top of the little window. What is odd is that the oil is clear instead of the usual amber color like you see in the indicator window on the brake side. It is the lack of color on the clutch side that makes it look empty. The lids on both reservoirs indicate using the same brake fluid, so it's funny that they are different colors. Has anybody else noticed clear on the clutch side and amber color on the brake? At any rate, all seems ok as far as the level. I was extremely careful not to spill any when I lifted the lid.

Godfather Posts : 3154 Join date : 2013-05-28 Age : 59

Probably different brands of fluid. Maybe the previous owner needed to bleed one or the other. Nothing to worry about. Go have fun riding your GRiSO.

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2012 MOTO GUZZI GRiSO 1200SE

2013 MOTO GUZZI STELVIO 1200NTX - Orange Blossom Special

Nibbio Posts : 569 Join date : 2014-06-21

It's most likely discoloration due to heat. Most brake fluids are clear but then go dark because of the heat generated by braking. The clutch fluid isn't exposed to lots of heat from use like the brakes, just engine heat. I'm guessing your rear brake fluid is also not as dark as the front.

Tanabuso Posts : 89 Join date : 2013-07-02

Does anyone know how long the clutch cable is?
I have to replace it to install a Brembo RC16 unfortunately

Godfather Posts : 3154 Join date : 2013-05-28 Age : 59

cytocycle wrote:: Does anyone know how long the clutch cable is?
I have to replace it to install a Brembo RC16 unfortunately

The cable is really, really short.

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2012 MOTO GUZZI GRiSO 1200SE

2013 MOTO GUZZI STELVIO 1200NTX - Orange Blossom Special

Tanabuso Posts : 89 Join date : 2013-07-02

Yeah I know but I need a length to get another one made up or I need to pull it out which then renders the bike inop, but then again the blow by lines dripping oil everywhere and I'm waiting for that hose to arrive to fix it.

Steak wrote:

cytocycle wrote:: Does anyone know how long the clutch cable is?
I have to replace it to install a Brembo RC16 unfortunately

The cable is really, really short.

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10711 Join date : 2013-05-29 Age : 67

Errrr? It doesn't have a cable. Its hydraulic.

Pete

Tanabuso Posts : 89 Join date : 2013-07-02

Awesome!! Clutch hose..I need more coffee!!!

Pete Roper wrote:: Errrr? It doesn't have a cable. Its hydraulic.

Pete

Godfather Posts : 3154 Join date : 2013-05-28 Age : 59

Pete Roper wrote:: Errrr? It doesn't have a cable. Its hydraulic.

Pete

Like I said, really, really short... Very Happy

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2012 MOTO GUZZI GRiSO 1200SE

2013 MOTO GUZZI STELVIO 1200NTX - Orange Blossom Special

Tiradritto Posts : 325 Join date : 2013-12-01

on this topic I have a suggestion, change the fluid in the thing like every 5,000mi, I have noticed the carc bikes really really cook the fluid in the slave cyl. and the Brembo master on these have a bigger vent and seem to allow a little more moisture to accumulate faster than Toki, and niss masters. Not bad they just seem to aspirate more with temp.

The best I have found is actually from Wildwood, we used this in the formula bikes and it really dod not boil or fade xp600 in the front brakes.

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lots of good ones but this stuff is great I wish i could who makes it for them and source it a hair cheaper, i have noticed it comes out better looking on a change than some others we have tried....Motul is damn good too as is Fuchs. (the valvoline 5.1 from autozone etc. is also pretty good I had to use it at jennings a while back and it did well)

Montanarolo Posts : 14 Join date : 2015-11-13 Age : 49

Hi Guys,
sorry to dig out a 2 year old thread, but I guess it's better than creating a new post.
Shoot me if I am wrong...

Question :
Where do I find the clutch bleed nipple on a 2008 1200 8v ?

I am in the interim of changing all fluids before the good weather comes back to France, and nothing is stated in the 256pages of the service manual...

Regards from Frog land

Tanabuso Posts : 89 Join date : 2013-07-02

Look under your seat, left side between frame and bodywork by the airbox

FrogGuzzi wrote:: Hi Guys,
Question :
Where do I find the clutch bleed nipple on a 2008 1200 8v ?

I am in the interim of changing all fluids before the good weather comes back to France, and nothing is stated in the 256pages of the service manual...

Regards from Frog land

Montanarolo Posts : 14 Join date : 2015-11-13 Age : 49

Hi Cytocycle,
many thanks for the quick reponse, no wonder I couldn't find the bugger, it's no where near the clutch casing !
You were spot on... lifted the seat and the bleed valve is hidden under the frame next to the air box, on the left hand side.
Cheers

Grignapoco Posts : 103 Join date : 2013-09-12

cytocycle wrote:: Does anyone know how long the clutch cable is?
I have to replace it to install a Brembo RC16 unfortunately

You should not need to have a new hose made up. You need:

(1) A right-angle adapter
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(2) and a pressure switch (although mine shit the bed within days...I just hve to start in neutral, always)
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Both are made by HEL, if i remember correctly.

Best,
JL

Tanabuso Posts : 89 Join date : 2013-07-02

FreshEgg - Thanks I will look into that adapter.. it's a waste to replace the stainless lines..

Grignapoco Posts : 103 Join date : 2013-09-12

cytocycle wrote:: FreshEgg - Thanks I will look into that adapter.. it's a waste to replace the stainless lines..

Found it on EBay, i think. Suggest you verify the thread sizes.

HEL Performance Stainless Steel Radial Master Cylinder Adapter Kit Brembo

» Clutch Fluid Capacity?
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» Replacing the front pads and Fluid for Brakes and Clutch
» Black Betty - bodily fluid change