I took a look today at the reservoir levels for my brake and clutch fluid. While the levels were fine the brake fluid looked like it should, brake fluid, but the clutch fluid looked like, well, my dogs bath water. The clutch works fine, always has, but the gray fluid inside gives me cause for concern. Has any one else seen their clutch fluid turn gray? It looks like what I drain out of the primary.

 

this is the 3rd time I've heard this in the past week. No explanations yet either.

 

Gray goop in any reservoir or coming out of ANY drain on these bikes can't be good!

All I can think of is that somebody put some kind of incompatible fluid in there or its somehow gotten water-saturated.

Could this be one of the reasons for the continuing clutch-related recalls?

Gray goop out of the primary? I got nuthin', other than water (again) getting in and getting mixed with the oil.

 

The lube they use for assembly gets mixed with the hydraulic fluid, causing it to turn gray.

If it is of concern, take it to the dealer, still under warranty.

 

Taking it to the dealer tomorrow to show them what I got and see what they come up with. I really don't look at the reservoir that often, can't remember the last time, probably when I got it back after the last clutch recall. I would think that they added new brake fluid at that time. Odd that the level is correct, to me indicating nothing coming in or going out, just contaminated... seal material, metal? It's not a little gray, it's a lot gray.

 

the graphite lube that's used in assembly mixes with the clutch fluid causes the gray looking fluid.
This is normal and won't do any harm.

 

Then are there only some bikes that the fluid turns gray or does everyone have gray clutch fluid? Like I said the clutch works fine, better then I expected a hydraulic clutch to work, but I'd like to think that the gray color is not an indication of something wrong.

 

all that I've seen, the fluid is gray... mines gray, and I've had all the recalls done for the hydraulic clutch as well...

this was a concern of mine as well when i first bought the bike last year, but from what I'm told and seen its perfectly normal.

 

The lube is partly the culprit, the rest is the aluminum parts rubbing on the seals/o-rings. This is totally normal. As long as clutch is working fine don't sweat it.

Same issue as having an oil temp gauge. Lol

 

Could also be the rubber parts used in the m/c not agreeing with DOT 4 fluid! They keep recalling for a reason... :-(