No clutch after long highways speeds

[stevens211]

After riding for about an hour at highways speed; I went to exit and had very little clutch. After pumping the clutch several times, the cultch starts operating normally. This happened several times during an 800 mile trip. During normal riding conditions, the clutch acts normal. It is like the clutch loses pressure after long periods at high speeds. Fluid levers are normal. Is this normal or should I be concern?

[Jared]

Sounds like you have air in the lines.... I'd bleed the lines asap.

[dougster]

Good possibility that you need to change your clutch fluid. That is where I would start.

Over time the fluid can get contaminated with water. When the engine gets hot, the water boils, and the fluid pressure is not what it needs to be for the clutch to work properly.

Orrrr . . . you could try what Jared said!

[gman47]

Change/flush the clutch fluid ASAP!! While you're at it you should probably do the front/rear brakes, too. These fluids have an affinity for moisture and become contaminated over time. The sight glass isn't just for checking fluid levels but allows you to get an indication of fluid condition. Nice and clear fluid is good, cloudy is an indication some preventive maintenance is in order. Don't go on mileage alone between changes/flushes, as few miles and several years will allow the fluids to become contaminated.

[Dave]

Let see how many will post telling you to change you fluid.

I think you need to change you fluid.

[Monkeyman]

You should probably change the fluid.

[stevens211]

The sight glass fluid is clear, however I will change/flush the clutch fluid. Thanks to all.

[coacha]

Buy a new bike...or change the fluid...the choice is yours :)

[cactusjack]

I agree - flush the fluid and bleed the clutch.

[macmac]

It isn't air. It's BF gasses gassing out because the BF is dead, and full of contaminates. You have boiled the BF.

After a cooling time the gasses go back to be a liquid again, and the system will work.
The system will make water from thin air that is trapped in the system and what leaks thru the flex lines and the cap gasket, and a little bit does.

Like everyone else said this systems needs new BF a total flush. Use some caution, as BF eats paint.

[ponch]

Remember LW?

[Dave]

Lawrence Welk?

[ponch]

Larry "LW" Sellers from Pasadena Texas. Remember he had clutch issues and it turned out to be a bad bevel drive?

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Yes but overtime at work took care of LW's problem with the bevel gear.

If the fluid looks a light color it is probably air in the system. The fluid is probably fine. Just my opinion.

To prevent future problems just drain the fluid and don't replace it. When you want to stop just drag your feet. Your feet will boil when you do it this way though. Don't really try this. This is for professionals on a closed course.

[ponch]

Brake fluid should be changed every year or two at most anyway. If there is air in it, I have to wonder how it got there. I hope he takes the cover off to get a look at the fluid...I will also say that fluid that looks ok in the sight glass will look like crap when you bleed it out.