Clutch and Neutral

[Floyd]

I have a 99 Valk and 126,000 miles on her.  She began not wanting to shift up into neutral.  The clutch fluid was low and I added a bit more in.  I didn't bleed the lines.  She was working again, just fine.  Then on a mountain trip and high outside temps, she began acting up again.  I believe the clutch lever is worn and will only start in Neutral.  She had to be rocked back and forth and "forced" into neutral.  When she cooled off again, (the next day), she began shifting fine again.

The clutch releases right after begin to let her out.  There is no lag, as soon as it releases she is moving.

Any suggestions on the problem?  I sure hope I don't have to replace the clutch.

Thanks for reading.

[Michvalk]

Need to find out why your fluid was low. A cleaning is in order, flush, and stop leaking. I would start with the fluid flush, and make sure everything is clean. Should be able to see any leaks in the system. With that many miles, could be the clutch it's self, but, I would start with the easy stuff first

[old2soon]

You mention the clutch lever may be worn. Take that pivot bolt out and have a look at it. Clean up that area behind the pivot bolt on the clutch lever housing. When I installed my new Kury brake and clutch levers I put in NEW bolts on each one. First ride with the new levers the clutch and brake had a way better"feel".  RIDE SAFE.

[cookiedough]

You mention the clutch lever may be worn. Take that pivot bolt out and have a look at it. Clean up that area behind the pivot bolt on the clutch lever housing. When I installed my new Kury brake and clutch levers I put in NEW bolts on each one. First ride with the new levers the clutch and brake had a way better"feel".  RIDE SAFE.

Yah, check on why brake/clutch fluid was low, clean it up, check for leaks, and put new flushed out fluid in as well as the pivot bolts worn out just replace.

In the heat a few times last year with my Valk only 26K miles,  I had an instance a few times where I could not start the bike in gear had to only start in neutral and fired up then no problems.  I sprayed contact cleaner (do not get on paint finish) around the starter button switch and clutch area and not had an issue since but am sure it needs to be taken apart and cleaned at least. 

As our bikes are now 10+ years old parts are bound to wear out and get too dirty to operate effectively as is the norm when cars/cycles age unfortunately.

[Chiefy]

I have a 99 Valk and 126,000 miles on her.  She began not wanting to shift up into neutral.  The clutch fluid was low and I added a bit more in.  I didn't bleed the lines.  She was working again, just fine.  Then on a mountain trip and high outside temps, she began acting up again.  I believe the clutch lever is worn and will only start in Neutral.  She had to be rocked back and forth and "forced" into neutral.  When she cooled off again, (the next day), she began shifting fine again.

The clutch releases right after begin to let her out.  There is no lag, as soon as it releases she is moving.

Any suggestions on the problem?  I sure hope I don't have to replace the clutch.

Thanks for reading.

Did you recheck the fluid since it acted up on you again?  It sounds like it's low again.  If it is, do what others have said and look for a leak.  If not, start with the easy.  Flush it out real good with fresh fluid and see where you stand/

[Dorkman]

You mentioned that you didn't bleed the clutch.  Air in the line will cause more problems at higher temperatures, and will reduce the level as bubbles make their way to the top.  Something is not tight...you likely have a loose fitting or never got the air out of the system.  Bleed and clean...check for leaks.

[Floyd]

The fluid level was still full when it acted up again.

I didn't find any apparent leaks, this weekend I will flush it out competely.  And report if this resolves the problem.

Also going to replace the pivot pin in the lever.  It is worn and loose.

Thanks! for all the suggestions and advice.

[Chiefy]

The fluid level was still full when it acted up again.

I didn't find any apparent leaks, this weekend I will flush it out competely.  And report if this resolves the problem.

Also going to replace the pivot pin in the lever.  It is worn and loose.

Thanks! for all the suggestions and advice.

Good luck.  Let us know how it goes.

[Floyd]

I replaced the clutch lever and pivot pin....so now she Starts with the clutch pulled in 

Bled the clutch lines.....and yes, there was lots of air in the line....and the fluid that did come out was a brown/green color.

Cleaned the Master Cylinder.....totally flushed out the line... refilled and used the Honda DOT4 fluid,  don't know if I needed to use the Honda fluid.

Took her out for a nice ride, she was very happy.  No pulling forward when in 1st gear with the clutch pulled in, shifted very nicely.  The release on the clutch is so smooth now.

And I gave her a bath..whether she liked it or not.

Thanks for all the advice.  It all turned out well. 

[Chiefy]