Clutch fluid bleed problem

[Adirondack Bill]

Just got done flushing my clutch fluid, master cylinder full of fresh fluid. With the bleeder valve closed, when I pull in the clutch lever, I hear a gurgling air noise down by the front of the engine. Also, I can't  build up any pressure in the system by repeatedly pulling in the lever. Where can air be escaping from with the bleeder valve closed? Is the valve bad? This is the first time I have flushed the clutch fluid on the Valk, how can the bleeder valve be bad?

[Robert]

If you dont have any fluid leaking under the bike more than likely you have air in the lines. At some point you must have let the master run dry or sucked all the fluid out then refilled, which is the wrong way to do it. If you just open the bleeder pull the handle, close the bleeder and keep doing that eventually you will get the clutch back.

Once you get a bit of pressure, then close the bleeder, pump the handle a few times and with the handle held down open the bleeder, once all the fluid is out close the bleeder and repeat, all the time keeping the master full of fluid.

[Adirondack Bill]

Robert, I was very careful to not allow  the master cylinder get low when I was bleeding the system. Also, there is no fluid leaking from under the bike.  I will have to wait for my wife to get home so she can work the lever while I handle the valve. I did both front and rear brakes with no problem.  Robert, thank-you for responding.

[Valkyrie0002]

Are you sure you had closed the bleeder before the lever hit bottom or you may have let off the lever a little before closing the bleeder?

I always use a Vac pump.  The clutch on my 1500 Valk was not right after I flushed so I bleed it some more and it corrected.  I did not have a good seal on the bleeder the first time around and I'm certain I got some air in there.

[Robert]

Robert, I was very careful to not allow  the master cylinder get low when I was bleeding the system. Also, there is no fluid leaking from under the bike.  I will have to wait for my wife to get home so she can work the lever while I handle the valve. I did both front and rear brakes with no problem.  Robert, thank-you for responding.

NO Problem, we are all here to help.

The bleeder does not have to be tight between bleeds just snug will do that will make things go easier.

In fact you can stick your finger over the bleeder hole when your wife is letting go of the lever, then take your finger off on the squeezing the lever. Works well and makes things go faster especially since you are just looking to move fluid and air out.

[Adirondack Bill]

All is well, with my wife's help, I was able to bleed a little air out of the clutch line. Don't know how it got in there, I never let the fluid level get low in the master cylinder when I was flushing the system. Also, that air sound I heard when pulling in the clutch was a normal sound, I just never noticed it. Clutch fluid was 4 years old and was the color of urine, not clear like new fluid.  It is amazing all the crap you have to remove just to get access to the clutch bleeder. Thanks guys, and by the way, what the heck  is a EVAP canister?

[Valkyrie0002]

EVAP canister is part of the emissions system, gas vapors.

[Robert]

EVAP canister is part of the emissions system, gas vapors.

Yes charcoal filled so the gas vapors from the tank go in there get trapped and when you run the engine those vapors get pulled into the engine and disperse. Sometimes also venting to the outside air but again processed through charcoal so you don't smell gas fumes.