Ever seen clutch fluid like this? Whats going on with my clutch system?

V4Al · Jul 17, 2023

Ran 6 reservoirs-worth of brand new RBF600 through the system and it still comes out like this. There's clearly very small sediment swirling around in there, and it's got a metallic sheen to it.
Functionally, it works and during an hour long ride in 80*F yesterday I didn't experience the loss-of-lever pressure I had before.
What could be causing this?

SirJAG · Jul 17, 2023

Yes, mine (1299) turns into that about every 90-120days. I just keep flushing until its clear. Also, once i switched to Castrol REACT the fluid stayed clear much longer. I recommend that over the 660 stuffs, as the Castrol has a much higher boiling point.

My thought is your boiling fluid at the caliper, and break dust from caliper is your root cause. With enough flushing, you WILL get all that crap out... Some say the plastic orings in the system break down and cause the dark fluid as well...could be... but i have no proof of that.

Amazon product ASIN B002TM4GBQ
good luck my man
JAG

V4Al · Jul 17, 2023

Thanks as always. Hopefully the Castrol is a bit cheaper than Motul's liquid gold.

BP PanigaleV4S · Jul 17, 2023

That REACT stuff is pretty spendy...

I'd probably be looking at the slave cylinder as the culprit.

V4Al · Jul 17, 2023

So I've heard/read. New OEM (or maybe, just seals?) or aftermarket? I've seen so many differing claims and fixes.

BP PanigaleV4S · Jul 17, 2023

I'd likely just grab an Oberon aftermarket for around $125-150 instead of trying to re-build the OEM.

Does the fluid at the slave cylinder look that bad too?

baggerman · Jul 17, 2023

Slave sits on the motor and cooks the fluid. This has been a problem from the first pantah. Just have to keep changing the fluid. BTW my 6 speed corvette has the identical issue.

V4Al · Jul 17, 2023

bp_SFV4 said:
I'd likely just grab an Oberon aftermarket for around $125-150 instead of trying to re-build the OEM.

Does the fluid at the slave cylinder look that bad too?

No, but I drained from the slave first since I was doing a flush and fill. The stuff that came out the slave was just normal dark colored. After that is when I started running reservoir after reservoir at the master to bleed. I didnt bleed at the slave after that.

SirJAG · Jul 17, 2023

ugh, reread what i posted above...i was thinking brake master...not clutch...
i replaced my slave first thing on my bike, i dont think the slave contributes much to the dark fluid...at least i have no personal experience with that happening...

JAG

V4Al · Jul 17, 2023

SirJAG said:
ugh, reread what i posted above...i was thinking brake master...not clutch...
i replaced my slave first thing on my bike, i dont think the slave contributes much to the dark fluid...at least i have no personal experience with that happening...

JAG

Is that just common practice on these bikes, or your personal preference?

SirJAG · Jul 17, 2023

my 1199 was leaking there (fluid), and was a source of air for sure....the Oberon slave also improved clutch feeling as well...

So i installed it on my 1299 as soon as i got it home.

The factory clutch slaves are pretty terrible man.

greggiacona · Jul 18, 2023

I've got a CNC clutch slave I need to install on my 1199S---if I can only find the time!

V4Al · Jul 19, 2023

Did about ~100 miles of mixed riding with no lever fade, fluid still looks like mercury though when I bled it out of curiosity. So now I've got an Oberon on the way, and I guess I'm ponying up for the Castrol juice too. Track day money fading quickly...

SirJAG · Jul 19, 2023

when you switch to the new stuff...i'd use what ever is left of the 660 to just flush flush flush....do it at the MC and at the slave until is clean as a whistle buddy...then put in the castrol stuff and do about 4x top reservoir flushes.

JAG

Ever seen clutch fluid like this? Whats going on with my clutch system?

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