Fredericksburg Texan with clutch issues

[wellandfit]

Hey fellow Texans:  My 99 standard is suffering a clutch problem after 86K wonderful miles.  It's boiled down to this.  The beauty wont go from neutral to first; shuts off when putting in gear.  I've been told it's a Slave cylinder issue.  I'm no mechanic to be sure and would appreciate some assistance.  Cost to haul it to Austin or SA is out of my range so my only option is to fix it (rebuild the Slave) myself since there is no mech locally.  I've managed to find an excellent video that shows the process.  The mech who produced the video is a stand up guy and assures me I can do it.  Nevertheless, I'm a bit paranoid.  Sure would like some friendly help!

[Valker]

Might be a damper plate issue inside the clutch, might be air in the lines, might be worn clutch lever bushing, or it might be the slave cylinder. I always check the easiest and cheapest things first.

[Hoodcounty]

Does it lurch forward and die?

Or does it just shut down?
If it just shuts down, bypass the side stand switch and try that.

[RainMaker]

Does it lurch forward and die?

Or does it just shut down?
If it just shuts down, bypass the side stand switch and try that.

Agreed - this does sound like the sidestand switch.

[BuzzKill]

Shoot me a PM, my brother lives there who has an Interstate and may be able to help.

[f-Stop]

Wouldn't the kickstand indicator light be on if the kickstand switch is engaged?  So, if the kickstand is in the up position and the indicator light continues to be on while idling in neutral, then you'll know for sure that it's the switch.

[Daniel Meyer]

Wouldn't the kickstand indicator light be on if the kickstand switch is engaged?  So, if the kickstand is in the up position and the indicator light continues to be on while idling in neutral, then you'll know for sure that it's the switch.

Not necessarily...this silly switch is TWO circuits...one controls the light, one controls the shut-down.

But yeah, as described, this sounds like the side-stand switch.

[f-Stop]

That makes sense...a separate circuit to control the light would let the switch continue to work if the bulb burned out...

[wellandfit]

Hey fellow Texans:  It's not a stand switch problem.  Pls go to the 1500 tech board to see the history of my problem.  It's entitled "How do I know when I need a clutch replacement".  If you live near Fredericksburg TX I sure would like to connect with you. 

[Disco]

Hey wellandfit,

No posts from you to the How do I know when I need a clutch replacement? thread in five days and Looking for a Valk owner in the Austin/SA area to assist with a clutch problem. thread in a week.  Anything new to report?  

I agree with all that's been posted in the 3 related threads, especially the "do the easy things first" advice.  Only after doing all of those and still having the problem would I suspect rivets.  If you find yourself there...

If I remember correctly, most of the rivet issues involved '98 models, but not all.  And, your bike's odometer at 86K miles is right in line with where others have encountered a rivets failure.  It's a repair with lots of steps, but none are terribly hard UNLESS you're not mechanically inclined, don't have tools, don't have a lift or lift table (for convenience), and don't have an air impact driver.  

Here is a write-up that will give you an idea of what's involved with a clutch/damper plate replacement.  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,20870.0.html  

Keep us posted (and don't bury the bike),

Disco

[RainMaker]

Dave, I think this is the post from the 1500 Tech Board

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,92866.0.html

[Disco]

Yep, that's the first one I linked to.

[rancher]

I'm down the road from you near Rocksprings......RR335 way.  Let me know if you still need help.  Not real mechanically inclined but might be of some help.  Bob