New to Valkyrie’s and have a clutch issue

[Sleepy]

If y'all could, please be patient with me. I've never been on a forum before and this is all new to me. Ok, my story is I'm 49 and bought my first bike. It's a 97 GL1500 and I love it. It's just got clutch issues. I'm the 3rd owner, it's never had a new clutch and the fluid was the color of very strong tea until yesterday. I changed it praying that it would fix the slippage, but it didn't. I'm guessing that I'm gonna have to change clutches but I was really hoping that y'all could give me a cheaper alternative to that. Thanks

[Thunderbolt]

Maybe post this on the tech board too.  I no longer have a Valkyrie but had three in the past.  If you could it would help folks assist you if you could describe the issue that you are having.  There is a bushing in the clutch lever that if worn will not allow the clutch to operate as it should.  Lets start there.

[Sleepy]

Thanks, I'll do that

[Willow]

Switch out the oil if you haven't.  A Valkyrie has a wet clutch.  Oil with friction reducing property can make the clutch slip.

[Sleepy]

Thanks Willow, I did that yesterday and it didn't help it at all.

[Willow]

Thanks Willow, I did that yesterday and it didn't help it at all.

If that is the problem it may take a few changes.

[ridingron]

I bought a used bike and found the same problem. I put in cheap 10-40 "car oil" and a new filter. I repeated at 1500 miles. After the 3rd change the slippage was greatly reduced. You're rinsing the friction modifiers from the clutch, oil sump and oil passageways. 

[Bighead]

How many miles on the bike?

[Chrisj CMA]

Thanks Willow, I did that yesterday and it didn't help it at all.

What oil are you using?

[Gryphon Rider]

Please don't post tech problems on both the tech and the general boards.  The tech board is the best place for these questions, as all the tech-helpful people here read it.  It will save you and everyone else time having to read and respond to the same stuff.  The only time you it makes sense to post on both boards is if you're sitting on the side of the road not knowing what to do and needing urgent help.