R1150 weep hole for clutch slave

[RTChuck]

When I replaced the clutch slave cylinder on my 02 R1150RT last month, I noticed that some brake fluid was in the chamber of the tranny that the clutch slave mounts into. I felt very luck that the problem had not caused any clutch problems, and that the amount of fluid was very small. I was wondering if there is a problem with cutting a section out of the bottom of the gasket which is between the clutch slave and the rear of the transmission to allow for any fluid the gets past the piston/cup of the slave to drain to the outside.

A "weep hole" of this type would serve two functions in my opinion. It would keep the brake fluid from building up in the chamber and being forced into the clutch area via the hollow input shaft, and also it would allow me to determine that my clutch slave was failing because I could clearly see the brake fluid running down the rear of the transmission.

Has anyone tried this trick, or does anyone have any thoughts as to why I might cause other problems that I have not thought about? I, as many, consider the design of the small throwout bearing being placed on the piston of the slave a rather dumb idea. I would much rather have a simple, tried and true cable than the set up that is on my bike. Any feedback will be very much appreciated!

 

[PGlaves]

Some of the clutches use mineral oil as the hydraulic fluid. Others use DOT 4 brake fluid. In the mineral oil clutches such a weep hole appears all upside to me. But that might not be true with the DOT 4 systems. With brake fluid there is a downside. Brake fluid is harmful to paint and some plastics. You would save clutch parts but there is some risk of damage to exterior parts. You will need to be very attentive - checking for moistness often.

I will be removing my slave cylinder one of these days, soon, and may well devise a weep hole. But if I do I know there can be a downside to doing so.

When I replaced the clutch slave cylinder on my 02 R1150RT last month, I noticed that some brake fluid was in the chamber of the tranny that the clutch slave mounts into. I felt very luck that the problem had not caused any clutch problems, and that the amount of fluid was very small. I was wondering if there is a problem with cutting a section out of the bottom of the gasket which is between the clutch slave and the rear of the transmission to allow for any fluid the gets past the piston/cup of the slave to drain to the outside.

A "weep hole" of this type would serve two functions in my opinion. It would keep the brake fluid from building up in the chamber and being forced into the clutch area via the hollow input shaft, and also it would allow me to determine that my clutch slave was failing because I could clearly see the brake fluid running down the rear of the transmission.

Has anyone tried this trick, or does anyone have any thoughts as to why I might cause other problems that I have not thought about? I, as many, consider the design of the small throwout bearing being placed on the piston of the slave a rather dumb idea. I would much rather have a simple, tried and true cable than the set up that is on my bike. Any feedback will be very much appreciated!

 

[RTChuck]

R1150 weephole for clutch slave

Thanks so much for the reply Paul. The 02 R1150RT uses DOT 4 fluid. I failed to mention that I would install a catch-pad about an inch or so below the slave cylinder to prevent any chance of having the fluid run down the back of the tranny and spill on the hot cat which is just below the clutch slave. Other than an extremely remote chance of fire, and the desire to keep dirt out of the area, I can't think of any reason that the designers decided that encapsulating the front of the slave cylinder was a good idea. I often wonder if they ever thought about all of the clutch jobs that the stock desigh causes.

Slave cylinders tend to go bad by trickling rather that gushing, and to that degree, I think that I will give it a try. And yes, I will check for fluid tracking on a regular basis, as you suggest. Any other thoughts on this matter will be appreciated. Chuck

 

[gsaddict]

When I replaced the clutch slave cylinder on my 02 R1150RT last month, I noticed that some brake fluid was in the chamber of the tranny that the clutch slave mounts into. I felt very luck that the problem had not caused any clutch problems, and that the amount of fluid was very small. I was wondering if there is a problem with cutting a section out of the bottom of the gasket which is between the clutch slave and the rear of the transmission to allow for any fluid the gets past the piston/cup of the slave to drain to the outside.

A "weep hole" of this type would serve two functions in my opinion. It would keep the brake fluid from building up in the chamber and being forced into the clutch area via the hollow input shaft, and also it would allow me to determine that my clutch slave was failing because I could clearly see the brake fluid running down the rear of the transmission.

Has anyone tried this trick, or does anyone have any thoughts as to why I might cause other problems that I have not thought about? I, as many, consider the design of the small throwout bearing being placed on the piston of the slave a rather dumb idea. I would much rather have a simple, tried and true cable than the set up that is on my bike. Any feedback will be very much appreciated!

Did that on mine when I was in there. I 'monitor' the area now. It's been done by others also. Big thing is to flush the fluid every year as a PM.

 

[RTChuck]

Great to hear that this has been done by others. To me, it is just as logical as the weep hole at the rear of a cage's master cylinder which prevents brake fluid from filling up the brake booster. Thanks for the input. Chuck