Clutch question

[suthrncop]

My bike has about 16k mile on it and the clutch seems to not be engaging fully.....more trouble than usual to find neutral, hard to push in gear with clutch engaged, and seems to want to pull a little at redlights with clutch engaged and bike in gear...any suggestions, I checked the fluid and it was a little low, added some but no help....

[Rufsorn]

The first thing I would try would be to "bleed the clutch". Sounds like it's not quite moving far enough to disengage completely. A little bubble in the line will compress and cause the slave cylinder rod to not move as far.

[sandy]

It sounds like you may not have ever flushed your hydraulic fluids. Get a MityVac at Harbor Freight or AutoZone and flush all systems. Also in the clutch handle is a small brass bushing that wears out. Suzuki sells them for $4 and Honda sells them for $11. Same bushing. Check to see if it's worn out. I doubt it at 16K but worth a look.

[Skinhead]

What year is the bike?  If none of the solutions above work, it could be the slave and/or master cylinders are leaking internally past the seal and need rebuilt.  This is especially true if the fluid hasn't been changed.  If it is dark, I would rebuild both cylinders and change fluid.  Make sure you keep everything clean when you do it.  a small piece of debris will cause the system to not hold pressure.

[suthrncop]

The bike is a 97, I will try the suggestions, thanks all.....

[Tropic traveler]

Betcha a nickel the problem is a worn bushing in you clutch handle. Same symptoms on my '97 about a year ago. Worn plunger & little round brass bushing. I went ahead & replaced the clutch handle & bolt at the same time. If I remember correctly it was less than $40 for all the parts and took me less than half an hour to do the job. Check that out first before you get crazy replacing hydralic parts!

[suthrncop]

figured it out, sorta.....after riding I noticed that the rear tire was showing threads (I know, should've checked before I rode) took it to the dealer to have tire installed, they told me rear brakes needed replacing too, and they would do it no charge for labor while they did the tire....anyway the shop treats me real well, long time customer, so I told them to go ahead....After they replaced the brakes, I guess they bled them...anyway everything is great...So I'm assuming it was a bubble in the fluid somewhere..Back on the road again now...