Clutch or Paranoia

[Basmaf]

Hi Guys.
It is possible or maybe I am being really paranoid but I suspect that I may have the dreaded clutch slave issue with my 04 1150R.
She has done just shy of 25K miles and just had her 24K service where the clutch fluid was replaced. I asked the mechanic to check the clutch over, and he said he could find nothing wrong and everything seemed ok but I am still not so sure.
The issue manifests it self as

From cold it can take 3 or 4 or sometimes even 5 pumps of the clutch leaver before she will engage first gear, sometimes I even have to paddle her back a few inches before she will engage as well.
When she is warm, and the engine has been off for a few minuets, when fuelling etc, it can take a couple of lever pumps to get her into first again.

When warm the clutch bite point starts at about a third of the way along the lever travel.
I don’t seem to have a problem when the engine is running and neutral is easy to find, as is first when setting off.

Sorry about not having much info but any advice would be very gratefully received.
Many thanks

Basmaf

[towerworker]

Sounds like air in the system. Was it behaving this way as soon as you picked it up after the service? If so then the mechanic didn't bleed it properly.

[Basmaf]

Sorry, I missed a bit.
It was this way before I took her for the service, that’s why I asked him to check it for me.
I do believe she has been heading this way since bought her, just over a year ago, but it does seem to be getting a bit worse, but it is possible it is just me.
I am just not sure and being a “Yorkshireman”, , I have problems wasting those precious greenbacks when I may not have to, but if the collective decision is, there is a problem, then it is time to spend some money.
I need to pay for the insurance this week, and new rubber next month as well. The old Credit card will get a hammering soon.
Go figure ?

[Sunbeemer]

It is normal for these transmissions to have difficulty engaging first gear from a stop, especially when cold...I've always had this problem. Before the gear oil is warmed up I always have to double clutch and sometimes roll back a bit to get the gears to mesh. Once warm, it's less of a problem. Just another case of TADT (They All Do That!).

[Dr. Strangelove]

or just don't pull in the clutch lever fully and first will engage (with sort of a clunk)

but having to pump it a few times sounds like you have a fluid/air issue, like pumping the brakes?

[Boxer]

When its cold, pull in the clutch lever and hit the shifter quickly...Don't wait. It makes it easier. Then when its hot you need to wait a couple of seconds and it goes in smoothly.

[Oilhead]

When its cold, pull in the clutch lever and hit the shifter quickly...Don't wait. It makes it easier. Then when its hot you need to wait a couple of seconds and it goes in smoothly.

I hit the shifter simultaneously as I pull in the clutch and it goes into 1st pretty much every time.

[suzuki]

I agree with Boxer and oilhead. You just have to get the feel for it.

[gregor]

Never had that much difficulty getting into first. A clonk on engagement sometimes ,yes, but not more than one attempt needed.
I'd check the adjustment of the operating mechanism (assuming it is like the K clutch) first, before moving on to bleeding the hydraulic circuit.