how not to change your clutch fluid

[iowabeakster]

It has taken a couple weeks to get to the point where i can honestly laugh about this. You are all welcome to laugh at me also.

A nice day a couple weeks ago i decided to to the yearly motorcycle maintenance. I also did my girlfriend's bike on the same day.
Wash,oil changes, tranny oil, FD, brake bleed, etc etc.

I worked like a dog, all day. In retrospect, I put a whole lot more on my plate than I could handle.

Sun had been down for a few hours, last thing for the day was to bleed the clutch. OK done with that. Now push the bike out into the driveway for a final rinsing to get spills and dribbles off the bike. I am spraying it off, back aching, proud of all my sloppy work accomplished, when I sprayed out the inside of the clutch reservoir.

Wait a minute here, that's not right. I forgot to put the cover back on the clutch. I hadn't noticed in the garage before pushing it out into the dark. darn darn darn darn darn darn, only it wasn't darn.

don't try this at home kids, i'm a professional horse's rear end.

[chris]

oops...

[BigC]

Ok, that got a couple chuckles out of me Right up to the point where I realized that kinda sounds like something I might do too Hope you got everything cleaned up ok with no ill effects...that's the main thing.

[johno]

At least you didnt break the clutch line off at the end.
What a prick of a job to replace that hose.

[REDSTAN]

you will not do that againe matey

[Mtnbiker1966]

Yup, that's about something I would do too. When I replaced my quick disconnects I mixed up the gas hoses (i.e. the outflow was hooked into the inflow and vice versa). Low and behold she wouldn't start (even after I tried TWO times).

So I switched the hoses (got gas in my eyes in the process) gave it a try and she started right up. Then my wife started laughing because we even took digial pictures of the previous, correct hose routing AND referenced it when we were putting the tank back on.

After all that you did on those bikes, I'd feel pretty successful that spraying water into my uncovered clutch reservoir was the ONLY boneheaded move I made all day.

[boxermania]

iowabeakster.....it appears that you enjoy breaking new ground.....could you help me installing a 220v AC line for my clothes drier.

I would like someone with your power of observation looking over my shoulder, the last time I attempted the feat the house burned down.....of course I blamed the neighborhood kids and their fire works....it was July 4th.

[R4R&R]

Soooo....did you top it off with water, slap the cover on and go riding?

LOL, that sounds like something I would do.

[Sunbeemer]

Whoa, that sucks! And after all that work! Sometimes I'll get to a point where I'm so tired that I'm counterproductive, and as much as I want to just get the job finished, it's better to just leave it till morning when things usually just fly together!

[iowabeakster]

thanks for the support guys. i knew you guys would share stories that would make me feel a little better.


sunbeemer hit the nail on the head. as a novice motorcycle DIYer Next year i think i will break it up into 3 days.

my problem this year is that i am as short on time as i am on cash.

[riceburner]

If working on a Guzzi, one head and barrel off, to replace the base gasket, and wanting to get the piston out of the way.....


DO NOT hold the piston in your hand and thumb the starter.....

[iowabeakster]

sounds like a good way to lose a thumb.