Agreed. I'm sure many owners of all kinds of motorcycles never change the clutch fluid. I have a 22 year old Valkyrie with 175,000 miles, and I've changed the fluid once. The clutch still works fine.
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I'm certainly no mechanic either. The way it was explained to me is
that clutch fluid somehow had contaminants it that clogged the port
it's supposed to flow through. This resulted in the bike being driven
for an unknown (long) period of time like the clutch was pulled halfway
in the whole time. In addition, there's no telling how horrible of a
rider the previous owner was. The bike only has 15,000 miles, so it
was shocking that the clutch was gone.
But anyway, here we are. The dealer who sold it to me is paying for
the labor for the repair. I had to fight to get that much, and I should
have fought more, but I got tired of dealing with it. I'm also having
every last fluid changed in the bike.
This clutch fluid everyone is talking about...doesn’t the clutch and engine use the same oil? The fluid in the hose just controls the shifting mechanism, I thought. That doesn’t get to the clutch. Someone correct me if I’m wrong. It’s kind of like saying the brake fluid ruined your brakes.
Makes sense that it is 'possible' that the return hole was partially clogged, keeping the clutch from completely engaging, but not at all reasonable.
The next time the clutch lever was pulled, the clutch would be stuck even more disengaged, repeating until it would not be rideable. To remain just engaged enough to ride, but still slip .....
I think I remember reading about our clutches being aided by oil pressure in the tranny?? Maybe something is wrong there?
UPDATE: The after market lever appears to be lower than the OEM and therefore scrapes on a hard right lean along with the peg. It may be possible that I hit a bump while leaning and now the part that pinches the shift shaft broke across from the bolt that tightens it down. It is cast alum so not so strong. I will be reinstalling my stock pedal.
Just an update for those who care. $2600 later, I’m finally good to
go. My mechanic said the clutch plates were "burned to a crisp".
I’m not sure how that happens in 15,000 miles, but that’s what it
was. The clutch needed to be replaced, plus the entire hub the
clutch sits in. Changed all the fluids out, too, of course. Anyway,
got all my goodies installed except my gear indicator, and I’m
waiting on delivery of my Ultimate Seats Midrider. Now that all
the clutch parts have been replaced, this thing rides like new.
It’s amazing. Looking forward to taking some trips soon! Thanks
for all the answers to my no0b questions!
Glad you are back on the road. What were the parameters for selecting the Midrider? I ask because when I purchased my Ultimate they attempted to push me towards the Mid but I am much happier with the King. The Mid could very well be perfect for you, just curious.