Mornin' Adrian et at...
Questions:- Is this normal wear and tear? Am I wrong to constantly slip the clutch? Or is it just my dumb luck? As far as I know the bike has always had is regular log book services.
...like the others comments slipping the clutch at low speeds is general considered as good practice for optimum bike control. So l too 'ride' the clutch when approaching
stale reds at contolled intersections.
Does this speed up clutch plate wear? Yes. It's not uncommon to have ST clutches knackered on emergency use ST's at 40k. As for your master cylinder to be affected by riding the clutch, l would think not.
I would think that (either), master cylinder (or slave cylinder), failures would be more likely be down to not regularly replacing the fluid. Brake fluid is hyrdoscopic. It is not uncommon (I have found), subtantial water and muck residue at the bottom of the fluid reseviors. And usually more so in the clutch than the brake systems as the is less plumbing therefore less space for water to dispurse too.
If you find you are in need to put new cups etc into the master cylinder, look also to do the same with the slave cylinder. However, be prepared to having to replace the whole cylinder assemble as the cylinder itself may have been corroded. Unless of course you can re-sleeve it.
Lastly, use the fluid replacement in the OEM maintenance manual as a guide, as increased humidity environments generally neseccitated increased fluid replacement schedules. Same applies if the bike spends some time in the rain.
Just a thought.
Ciao, the can:-)
