Clutch issues

[MHWhite1!]

07 Vulcan Nomad, 7,800 miles. Riding in Colorado. Bike got a little warm, but not overheated. Clutch lever kept getting less and less tension until no clutch at all. Let sit for an hour, all tension is back. Road back into the mountains again and same thing. Mechanic checked fluid.all was ok. Just had it serviced 2 weeks ago, all fluids changed. Thoughts, ideas?

[DragonLady58]

Well, best thing to do is look thru our forum here about the clutches on these bikes. Probably need to bleedoff on the banjo bolt.....could be several things though. We've covered about all the things that can go wrong with the 1500 clutch. The search button here is your friend....
Take a quick look here....
http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46198
Try what Gillisfire suggested and get back with us.....

[ringadingh]

Id, start by replacing the brake fluid first and see if that solves the issue.

[MAS Tequila]

Do you have ANY noise or vibration coming from the area around the slave cylinder?

Usually, thus happens when one of two things is happening.

Either your return orifice is plugged in the master cylinder, doubtful but possible, or the front bevel gear bearing is heating up and causing the fluid to flash, thus no pressure.

Then once it cools down it functions again.

There is also an oil line that runs right outside of the cover.



You said that the mechanic checked the fluids.

Did he just check the level?

Pop the master cylinder cover off and see what color the fluid is, or better yet, open the bleeder on the slave and get a little from there.

I'll bet you it looks more like a pint of Guinness than a mug of Bud.

Ring's correct, changing the fluid will probably help for a while, but you probably have a deeper more serious issue.

[MHWhite1!]

Thanks for the responses. No noise that I can hear. Mechanic said master worked fine. Might be slave, but we were leaving CO the next day. I will look into the responses and start with the fluid.

[MAS Tequila]

Run some SeaFoam in the crank, then change the oil.

I really think you're getting heat from either the FBG bearing or the oil line.

A little SeaFoam may help clean out that line.

It doesn't take much to restrict the oil flow, I doubt an 'A' string would fit through that line.

Take the fake primary cover off, that way you can get some fluid from the slave, where it would show the worst.

While you're in there run the bike at least until the fan comes on a couple of times, then see if the cover right over the FBG bearing is heating up.

I'll bet it is.

You can call me @ 5612103399 if you have any questions.

[DragonLady58]

That MAS said! That seafoam will work wonders if the oil line is restricted.
When I first buy a bike, I will run it with seafoam in the crankcase for a while, then drain the oil and clean the oil pump screen/ change your oil filter. You'll be surprised of all the crap that comes outta a supposedly clean engine.
I also add just a touch of Lucas engine oil stabalizer....it helps prevent dry startups and also helps keep those angle drive bearings alive....

[miltonsain]

DL, how much seafoam, in the oil? My bike has 66k miles, a good internal cleaning can't hurt it.

[pjandbee]

Some time ago my 1500 clutch started slipping just a little during radical acceleration mostly in upper gears. Not bad but I started gathering parts for a repair.
THEN! My clutch handle started acting just like yours, (1) it kept feeling spongier the longer I rode (2) then getting less and less handle travel down to almost none. After a week or so of no riding / safety, I took another good look and found both handle pivots corroded and restricting their movement. After a real good cleaning and lithium lube things are again back to normal. Go figure.....
I'm still gathering parts but right now it pulls my camp-trailer with no problems. I am eyeing master & clutch cylinder rebuild kits to be next on the shelf for planed repair.
Just another idea, my fluid is about 3 years old and looked good when I "bleed" the system. I just knew I had to do surgery on my girl.

[ldhthept]

Read directions on Seafoam, it tells you how much to use in crankcase...

[01Nomad1500]

Originally Posted by DragonLady58

That MAS said! That seafoam will work wonders if the oil line is restricted.
When I first buy a bike, I will run it with seafoam in the crankcase for a while, then drain the oil and clean the oil pump screen/ change your oil filter. You'll be surprised of all the crap that comes outta a supposedly clean engine.
I also add just a touch of Lucas engine oil stabalizer....it helps prevent dry startups and also helps keep those angle drive bearings alive....

How long do you run the sea foam in the crankcase?

Been using it in my outboards for years.

[DragonLady58]

3 to 5 minutes, with engine idling, no more (on a 01' 1500 Nomad).....then do a engine oil change with filter.....
Might want to add some Lucas engine oil stabilizer afterwards....

[roadhawg]

I think Lucas oil stabilizer will make clutch slip? Yes?

[plumber63]

Originally Posted by DragonLady58

3 to 5 minutes, with engine idling, no more (on a 01' 1500 Nomad).....then do a engine oil change with filter.....
Might want to add some Lucas engine oil stabilizer afterwards....

Are you using regular lucas stabilizer, or the motorcycle oil stabilizer?

[rolfe]

The only product I put in the Crank Case is Oil ! plain and simple
In the gas I run Seafoam every now and then but not to often.
Also I add some Marvel Mystery Oil once and a while--(polymeric parts in carb)
"RED" is a 1999 carbureted model.
Ran like silk today