Clutch won't engage after the bike sat for 2 months

[Meltz]

I haven't ridden the Monster in a couple months.  I noticed the battery went dead about 4-6 weeks ago and just got around to replacing it (have a 3 month old son, so free time has been sparce).

The bike starts great, but the clutch isn't doing much of anything.  I can tell it's slightly engaging when I pull the lever.  The lever pull is effortless (not in a good way).  The clutch worked perfectly last time I rode the bike, so I'm guessing a replacement isn't necessary.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

[EEL]

Either your clutch master is shot, or your slave is shot (most likely) and you need a replacement or you have air in your lines.

Take the clutch slave off and look for leaks (white residue). If no leaks are present, reinstall, rebleed the line and see what happens. If you slowly lose clutch pull again its probably your master.

Also, when you ride keep an eye out on the front left side of your tank, if the clutch master seal has failed, the wind generated as you're riding will blow the leaking brake fluid on your tank and eat the paint. If you see blackish fluid on the front of your tank, your master cylinder seal has failed and needs replacement.

[dlearl476]

Pump it.

I just replaced my clutch line and because the system was dry, I filled it and was baffled when, unlike the brake lines I jut replaced and worked normally after bleeding, I had nothing.  I called my MC mechanic son and asked him WTF and he told me to "pump it."  I was skeptical but after about 50 pumps, it started to work.  Probably took 100 to make it work properly.

Also, while you're pumping it watch the MC so you don't run out of fluid.

[Ducnial]

Bleed it..  if it wont engage it probably because the push-rod wont retract.  That'd be due to the slave cylinder piston not retracting either because its stuck (corroded) or the check in the master is stuck closed.  If it gets happy after you bleed it then you probably all set, otherwise you'll need to free up the slave cylinder piston or service the master.

[Howie]

Does the clutch not engage or disengage?

[OT]

Check to see if there's any fluid in the reservoir.  If not, you can try recharging the line by "pumping it", but do so slowly.  Prop the bike and turn the bars so that the reservoir is as high as possible (i.e., higher than the master cylinder).  Fill the reservoir about half way and gently & slowly pull/release the lever.  Watch for air (bubbles) coming up out of the master into the reservoir.  As the fluid level drops, replenish it - don't let the reservoir run dry.

[NorDog]

Does the clutch not engage or disengage?

I think he means "disengage", as when one pulls in the clutch lever.

[Ducnial]

I think he means "disengage", as when one pulls in the clutch lever.

Ahh.. then that'd mean the clutch stack is probably stuck together.   I've had this problem on a Barnett clutch packs where the friction discs get wet and sticks to steel plates   Open clutch covers are ripe for this problem.

[Speeddog]

1st step is to flush/bleed it.

The 'nearly no effort' lever pull is a sign of air in the system.

[jerryz]

Dont replace any parts until you do a full bleed and tiewrap the lever overnight ...if it still doeas not work then look at the slave then the master.