Sick of bleeding clutch 1299s

Bleeding’ s pretty easy, more of a hassle than anything because you have to do it so frequently depending on your riding. If you can afford a quality vacuum bleeder it makes it that much easier.

You don’t need a vacuum bleeder to pop out an air bubble. I keep an 11mm wrench and some plastic tubing and paper towel under the seat. If I’m out riding and the clutch gets like a wet noodle, I pull over and give it a quick bleed. Well not a bleed, just place the wrench on the valve, open it a bit and squeeze the lever and close the valve before the lever goes all the way in. You’ll see a small bit of fluid in the hose and the air as well, when it comes out.

DCPanni said:

You don’t need a vacuum bleeder to pop out an air bubble. I keep an 11mm wrench and some plastic tubing and paper towel under the seat. If I’m out riding and the clutch gets like a wet noodle, I pull over and give it a quick bleed. Well not a bleed, just place the wrench on the valve, open it a bit and squeeze the lever and close the valve before the lever goes all the way in. You’ll see a small bit of fluid in the hose and the air as well, when it comes out.

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Not sure I would do this but yes, if you want to trust opening the bleeder and potentially spilling it then go for it.

bleeding the clutch is a non event, just a bit of rag to catch a drop of fluid is all you need. Reading through the threads on this some say its the slave, some say its the master but tbh its really its just such a minor annoyance its not worth worrying too much about, it literally takes more time to check tire pressures.

Paul G said:

bleeding the clutch is a non event, just a bit of rag to catch a drop of fluid is all you need. Reading through the threads on this some say its the slave, some say its the master but tbh its really its just such a minor annoyance its not worth worrying too much about, it literally takes more time to check tire pressures.

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If your tire looked low every day you rode, and you were forced to check it every day and add air guess what, it would not take that many day’s before you did something about that tire.

This is what’s happening with the clutch lever. For some it’s every day and it can get annoying to the point where something needs to be done.

question is how sick you are.

AmpForE said:

If your tire looked low every day you rode, and you were forced to check it every day and add air guess what, it would not take that many day’s before you did something about that tire.

This is what’s happening with the clutch lever. For some it’s every day and it can get annoying to the point where something needs to be done.

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fair enough if it becomes a daily issue, and that requires inspection and replacement of worn or substandard parts, but I check my tires several times a weekend before I ride, I estimate that Ive checked them 80-100 or more and bled the clutch 3-4 times? I can definitely bleed the clutch faster than I can check both tires and maybe even one tire. The point being is that its a minor annoyance rather than a deal breaker. Theres only a couple of places that air can enter the system, the master or at the slave. I havent investigated and from the threads it can be solved by a new slave or thread tape on the bleed nipple or being flushed etc. If I was serious I would simply replace the o-rings in the system, first in the master and see it that solves it, if not proceed to the slave. Cost = pennies, if no success and its because something isnt machined or designed well then maybe I would replace the slave if the fault pointed in that direction. The reason I havent bothered is that 90% of the time I use the quickshifter up and down, I come from the era where the clutch was seldom used anyway- we manually quickshifted if that makes sense so the clutch is mostly a low speed start/stop control.

Nice little project to sort out but as I said I am fortunate, its really minor on my bike and I cant be arsed doing the work.

Bled my master today. Well, I have a vacuum tool and sucked the air out. It was only off just a little. It’s wasn’t bad but now it very firm.

It took more time to get my vac and 11mm than to suck the air out. But it’s still ANNOYING.

You just need the wrench, some tubing and a paper towel.

Finally got my CNC slave and RCS master. I’ll be installing them next week when I fly back from work. Yes, it’s a quick fix bleeding but why put up with it? Bike should be good to go when it’s purchased really...

So you got the RCS 16? What about the micro switch and the reservoir mount?

Yeah, got the micro with the master. I’ve got a Rizoma res lying around so I’ll make my own mount

Who’d you get it from? I’ve looked and can’t find a vendor with the RCS and the switch.

Caprimoto in Italy. Quick shipping, only took a week to get to OZ

It's happened to me twice. Somehow air gets in the master. Takes a few seconds to bleed out. Just crack bleeder,pull clutch lever slow,close 1/2 way pulled,air gone..
I leave an 11mm under the seat now.

Yeah my 1299 with a fresh new slave is still getting air, it just takes longer. Replace the master or trade it for a new bike?

DucatiKev said:

Yeah my 1299 with a fresh new slave is still getting air, it just takes longer. Replace the master or trade it for a new bike?

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Nah, send it to me to get out if your garage, its just junk now.

I actually now enjoy bleeding clutch and brake before important rides (track or street). I use a short length of tygon over the bleed valve and pull it off with a rag or paper towel when done. As others have said it takes 60 seconds (if that) and for me ensures consistent feel - one less thing to worry about (tyre pressure being the other main one).

Initially I also found it frustrating (the need to bleed) but getting to know the bike better (around MCs, slaves, flushing, Calipers, pads and lines) has added an enjoyable dimension to riding and maintenance and I do it frequently now whether the levers feel firm or not.


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