Clutch release almost immediate k1200 GT 2003

[mayojuaf]

My son in law just got a k1200 GT 2003 that releases the clutch in the 1/4 of travel or earlier and feels a little "spongy"? . (you press the lever all the way and as soon you let go it engages) The shifts are extremely smooth (just feel a click when you shift ) including first (of course when you preload and do the right thing. )
My 2004 GT releases 1/2 or later and feels you need to do more pressure on clutch lever to press is it back.
His bike has 70k miles but had the clutch replaced at 55 so I guess that should be ok.
He bleed the clutch fluid today as per manual, but I did not ride it before this so dont know if some air could have been sucked? he did use a speed bleeder

Any suggestions

Thanks!

[Bobmws]

Other than rechecking the bleed process, the clutch (and brake) lever is adjustable. Perhaps it is at the closest to the grip setting.

[mayojuaf]

thanks Bobmws, just checked that and was on 2.... will put on 3 and see how it feels.

[bikerfish1100]

that numbered lever adjustment at the handlebar only changes the distance necessary for fingers to reach the lever. it changes nothing in the lever travel, clutch adjustment point, or anything else related to clutch engagement or operation.

"spongy" sounds like air in the line.

[LOSTBOY]

I suggest bleeding it again. When done, turn the bars full lock left and tilt the bike to the right and squeeze the lever several times, slowly (cover on, of course!). This will let any trapped air rise into the master cylinder. If this doesn't fix it, consider replacing the slave cylinder. They are notorious for failing, and when they do, other parts are likely to be damaged.

[mayojuaf]

guys, thank you so much for all the suggestions. I will try many of them this weekend (the easy ones first) and will let you know if i was lucky

[42906]

Is this bike stored for any length of time on the side stand with the bars turned to the left by chance?

The reason I ask is I have a couple of Harley Street Rods, which also use a hydraulic clutch. Naturally, being a Harely, it has no centerstand. When parked, the tendency is for the fork to flop to the left. The Street Rod has low flat handlebars. Think about how the clutch master cylinder is oriented when the bars are turned to the left. The high point, where there is likely an air pocket, is right up where the banjo fitting to the hose is.

If I leave a Street Rod parked for a few days with the bar turned to the left, when I next ride it the clutch engages when the lever is about 1 mm off the handgrip. I usually stall it a few times. But, with some riding around and operating the lever a bunch of times the Harley system seems to self bleed (bubbles travel up the hose and into the master cylinder) and normal clutch operation resumes in a few miles of riding.

I'm wondering if that is the situation here?

[mayojuaf]

thank you all for the input. i did bleed the clutch again. this time i pressed the clutch level slowly a couple of times until i saw steady fluid coming from the drain. i decided the last press to take the speed bleeder out and then releasesd the level to insure that if the bleeder was not working correctly, i will not suck any air back in the system. i also tapped the famous banjo with the handle of a screw driver to insure there was no air trap there.

that was it! now it works great just as my other gt.