Lost my clutch!!!

[toogun]

Went for the second ride of the year and the clutch started to slip after about 6-7 miles. I rode down the highway, stopped and picked up something from the store and started riding home, that's when it started. tried adjusting the clutch lever with no effect.
Got home, checked everything out and tried going for a ride around the block. By the time I got back to driveway I had no clutch, dropped it into 1st let the clutch out and it didn't move, just slipping.

Here are the things that I did over the winter;

1. Drained the clutch and refilled with Lucas DOT 4 Synthetic brake fluid.
2. Changed engine oil from semi to full Synthetic (Motul 7100)
3. Drained the final drive and filled with Royal Purple Max Gear 75W-90 Synthetic.

There are no signs of leaks anywhere.
There is good resistance on the clutch lever.
Reservoir is full.

Could going to synthetic in the engine or the clutch or the final drive have caused this???

Never had it slip at all last year.

Stumped!!!

Any suggestions please.

[dshelly]

How many miles on the bike? Not that it makes much difference. Mine went out at 14K. Sure you got all the air out of your clutch lines? Maybe try bleeding it again before going to far.

[toogun]

Originally Posted by dshelly

How many miles on the bike? Not that it makes much difference. Mine went out at 14K. Sure you got all the air out of your clutch lines? Maybe try bleeding it again before going to far.

There's 21,600 miles (35,000 km). I just pulled the side case off and saw maybe 3 drops of fluid, the banjo bolt was ever so slightly loose, tightened it about 1/32 turn. I opened the bleeder valve and gave a squeeze, didn't see any air, good clear fluid. I'm going to put the vacuum pump on it and give it a good bleed.

[cactusjack]

If bleeding the clutch doesn't work, take a look at your clutch spring.

[toogun]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

If bleeding the clutch doesn't work, take a look at your clutch spring.

Okay finished bleeding the clutch, there was a bit of foam in it, ran 6 oz. of new fluid through it. Seems good in the driveway but I'm going to take it for a run and make sure. It was good before when it was cold, it seemed to start the slipping after it got warmed up.
Fingers crossed.

[waterman]

Originally Posted by toogun

Okay finished bleeding the clutch, there was a bit of foam in it, ran 6 oz. of new fluid through it. Seems good in the driveway but I'm going to take it for a run and make sure. It was good before when it was cold, it seemed to start the slipping after it got warmed up.
Fingers crossed.

If there is some air in the lines it can do just what you said. Act fine when cold but when the fluid warms up it will slip. I think that you have it solved.

[ringadingh]

I'd bet that the loose banjo bolt was the cause of the problem as well.

[toogun]

Originally Posted by toogun

Okay finished bleeding the clutch, there was a bit of foam in it, ran 6 oz. of new fluid through it. Seems good in the driveway but I'm going to take it for a run and make sure. It was good before when it was cold, it seemed to start the slipping after it got warmed up.
Fingers crossed.

Well it's a whole lot better, but it still seems to slip when I hit it hard on the highway going into 4th., nowhere near as bad but now I'm super aware of it.
I'm wondering if I'm bleeding it correctly to get all the air out. I'm using a vacuum pump, squeezing slow on the lever several times, let it sit for a few minutes and do it again. Still looks as though there might be a bit of foamy fluid coming out when I am about on the 3rd squeeze, not much, but a little foam. I ran 6 oz through it before the ride.

Anyone have a better technique?

[toogun]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

I'd bet that the loose banjo bolt was the cause of the problem as well.

I was thinking it might have been the culprit, but the amount it needed to be tightened was barely perceptible, but it could be a factor.

[ringadingh]

For the brake fluid to start foaming it had to be sucking air in someplace. If its not the banjo bolt, you may have another leak or bad hose someplace.

[redjay]

Changed engine oil from semi to full Synthetic (Motul 7100)

Is this oil suitable for motorcycles ?

[Rasta]

I had read someplace on one of the nomad facebook pages about a month a go or so someone having the same issue specially after it heated up. Another member told him that he needs to rebuild his clutch slave cylinder and after going back and forth he finally did and from what I remember it took care of the problem.

[gillisfire]

Rasta, you may be thinking of a thread on here, where I was trying to help another forum member out. This may or may not be what is going on with your bike Toogun. Here is the link to the thread about rebuilding the master clutch cylinder.

http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36673

[Silent Sam]

...If it's "sliping"..it could still be the clutch spring..& if it's failing to disengage correctly !

Good Luck..but what ever it is, I bet it will be a pretty easy fix ! :>)

[Sin City Stan]

Originally Posted by redjay

Changed engine oil from semi to full Synthetic (Motul 7100)

Is this oil suitable for motorcycles ?

MOTUL 7100 is JASO rated.