Clutch Slips

[davefirestorm]

I picked my new to me Valkyrie up Friday I live in the U.K. rode it home wet roads heavy traffic and didn't notice clutch slips till today when I rode it open throttle fast and it slips initially then settles I can ride it gently and it's fine reached 3000rpm in top registered 66mph.I'm guessing dealer sold me the bike has used wrong grade oil when he serviced it I am aware of the tiny hole possibly being blocked in clutch reservoir but reluctant to tamper with it would draining and flushing oil cure it or will clutch need stripping/cleaning?Be gratefull for you knowledgeable folk giving some advice I will speak to dealer tomorrow

[Chrisj CMA]

Draining and refilling with correct oil should solve it if it's an oil issue

[Jess from VA]

Before you even think about a new clutch (or sheared plate rivets), the usual suspects are:

1)  energy conserving oil (with friction modifiers), a big no-no.

2)  rebuild slave cylinder

3)  clogged master cylinder (and possibly a flush and new fluid)

I've been having intermittent slipping on one of my bikes for several years, and just stopped riding it as I like the other one better anyway.   It's the lower mileage bike with the trouble (52K). And the fluid is like new.  

I had planned on our traveling expert figuring it out for me,  but he has sadly passed.  

PS: someone lately provided a pretty good opinion that the sheared rivet issue was model/year more likely, but I cannot remember the opinion.    

[sandy]

As was said, change the oil. Ride it 100 miles (140 KM) and change it again with a good grade of the right oil. My reasoning is that the oil soaks into the clutch plates. Two changes gets rid of more of the old stuff.

[davefirestorm]

Should have said mines 1997 17000 miles USA import to U.K.

[hubcapsc]

Should have said mines 1997 17000 miles USA import to U.K.

Chrisj above has that many miles (there about) on his... it is likely your
clutch is not toast, and one of the easy fixes above could do the trick 

-Mike

[davefirestorm]

I read that Shell Rotella T6 15W40 is best oil to use in the Valkyrie but I can't source that here in U.K. I was going to use the same 10W40 motorcycle mineral oil I put in my 70s/80s bikes.I bought bike from a used bike dealer NOT a Honda dealer and guess they put same oil in the Valkyrie as they put in the modern bikes

[hubcapsc]

I read that Shell Rotella T6 15W40 is best oil to use in the Valkyrie but I can't source that here in U.K. I was going to use the same 10W40 motorcycle mineral oil I put in my 70s/80s bikes.I bought bike from a used bike dealer NOT a Honda dealer and guess they put same oil in the Valkyrie as they put in the modern bikes

I've used Honda GN4 in mine for 80,000 miles, that's not anybody's favorite
around here :-) ... Any motorcycle specific oil is probably good...

-Mike

[CoreyP]

Anyone who sells bikes should know you need to use oil that will work with wet clutches. That hasn't changed, bikes still have wet clutches.

[Chrisj CMA]

Should have said mines 1997 17000 miles USA import to U.K.

Chrisj above has that many miles (there about) on his... it is likely your
clutch is not toast, and one of the easy fixes above could do the trick 

-Mike

I think our friend overseas has 17k likely not a worn clutch. I have 175K miles and no issues with original clutch

[luna negra]

Mine was doing the same thing under acceleration.  Before changing the oil or anything else, I would try bleeding the clutch master cylinder.  That will either quickly eliminate or point out the master cylinder as the issue.   I ultimately re-built mine and that solved all the problems

[hubcapsc]

Should have said mines 1997 17000 miles USA import to U.K.

Chrisj above has that many miles (there about) on his... it is likely your
clutch is not toast, and one of the easy fixes above could do the trick 

-Mike

I think our friend overseas has 17k likely not a worn clutch. I have 175K miles and no issues with original clutch

Even though I quoted his post, I read his number as 170000 

-Mike

[Dr K]

Does it slip worse the warmer the bike gets.  a plugged weep hole in the master cylinder will cause the clutch to slip more as the engine heats up the fluid in the slave cylinder

[davefirestorm]

yes worse when engine gets hot,accelerate gently and no slip.I've stopped riding the bike and dealer is going to "fix" the problem,fingers crossed

[Jersey]

yes worse when engine gets hot,accelerate gently and no slip.I've stopped riding the bike and dealer is going to "fix" the problem,fingers crossed

Recommend getting a specific description of their 'fix'... if possible hang out with them while they're working on it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

yes worse when engine gets hot,accelerate gently and no slip.I've stopped riding the bike and dealer is going to "fix" the problem,fingers crossed

Recommend getting a specific description of their 'fix'... if possible hang out with them while they're working on it.

Specifically, check which oil they put in.

[davefirestorm]

yes worse when engine gets hot,accelerate gently and no slip.I've stopped riding the bike and dealer is going to "fix" the problem,fingers crossed

Recommend getting a specific description of their 'fix'... if possible hang out with them while they're working on it.

Specifically, check which oil they put in.

Indeed I will be asking questions.An independant repair shop close to me have been instructed by the supplying dealer )no connection I'm led to believe) to carry out any remedial work.

[Dr K]

If the compensating port in the master cylinder is plugged it can cause this issue

[yrunvs]

My 2 cents.
Remove the clutch resevoir cover and suck out old oil. At the bottom of the now empty resevoir there is a small metal cover that will pop out and reveal a small hole/port that most likely is filled with gunk. Clean out that port properly and replace metal cover then refill and flush until the oil comes out clean. Most likely your slippage is now gone. I think dot4 is the apprpriate oil but please double check that.

[davefirestorm]

A surprising development on the problem is that the supplying dealer is going to honour the warranty and replace the clutch all parts required are on order due in April 6th.A local dealer to me that I know of as a good bloke to deal with has been tasked with the job.I'm happy for this to be done even if it doesn't need doing as I don't know how much abuse the clutch has had.Still too cold for me to be riding yet and we're still in COVID lockdown so as long as I get it by May 1st I'm happy