clutch fluid level

[yellowjacket]

I can't tell the fluid level, I opened the lid and there were some fluid but definitely not full, it is normal?

[Slide Panda]

With the lid on you can't really use the sight glass shown in your photo - that's pretty normal.  With the lid off, you should be able to see the fluid level via the glass, or simply just looking into the reservoir.  You want enough fluid where it's above the min mark, but not so much that it'll spill out when you replace the lid and it's rubber gasket.  Half way up the res wall it's probably a good rule of thumb.

I see that this is you first bike - a little word of warning.  Brake fluid is nasty and you DO NOT want to get it on paint or clear plastics.  If you do get it on there, clean it off ASAP with water and a rag.  To that end - DO NOT squeeze the clutch lever (or brake) if you have the reservoir lid off.  They have a nasty habit of shooting fluid into the air and getting it on stuff you don't want it on.

[yellowjacket]

good to know, thanks again!

[Howie]

Do not overfill, the fluid will expand when hot.

[printman]

I like to put a wet towel underneath the handlebars when working with brake/clutch fluid. and have another one ready in case it misses the towel 

If it spills a little and you are quick to wipe it off with water, it shouldn't damage anything, but if you have to go in the house find a towel, wet it, then get back it maybe to late. 

I've also made the rookie/not paying attention mistake of pumping the lever without cover, shooting a stream up in the air. Life becomes slow mo when that happens

[duc996]

I put newspaper around the handlebar.

[Smiling End]

I just bought new reservoir caps from Ducati 1 because I did not follow yuu's advice. 

It seems to me that it's impossible to get enough in the reservoir without it spilling.  I guess I have enough (it does go above min) but as soon as I put the cap back on and start screwing it down it goes spilling out the side.  I assume it's just cuz I'm filling it too much though.

[supertjeduc]

I like to put a wet towel underneath the handlebars when working with brake/clutch fluid. and have another one ready in case it misses the towel 

If it spills a little and you are quick to wipe it off with water, it shouldn't damage anything, but if you have to go in the house find a towel, wet it, then get back it maybe to late. 

I've also made the rookie/not paying attention mistake of pumping the lever without cover, shooting a stream up in the air. Life becomes slow mo when that happens

I think this is a myth ,spiled lost of brake fluid and never seen do it something bad to the paint

[hiero]

those windows are useless... pop top and check where the fluid's at on the inside of the window, and it doesn't take much to overfill for sure

I think this is a myth ,spiled lost of brake fluid and never seen do it something bad to the paint

it is definitely not a myth, but it's not an immediate reaction either.  You have time to remove brake fluid from a surface before it does permanent damage, but you really need to take care of it asap

[Slide Panda]

I think this is a myth ,spiled lost of brake fluid and never seen do it something bad to the paint

It's no myth.  My clutch slave leaked and some fluid got to spend some time on my painted metal sprocket cover.  Bubbled up the paint, and I was able to just wipe it off to bare metal.  Also if you get it on some plastics - like your speedo lens it does nasty stuff fast.

I got a drop on the lens of my 620 and in a matter of seconds it cause 2 small cracks and hazed the plastic any place it touched. 

[Smiling End]

I think this is a myth ,spiled lost of brake fluid and never seen do it something bad to the paint

It's definitely not a myth.  It ate all the paint off of the top of my clutch fluid reservoir cap. It wasn't instantaneous but it did it.