Clutch hydraulic problems

[potatohead]

My clutch is barely engaging when pulled in completely. Looking in my manual it only tells me to have it looked at by a dealer. It's Saturday, a beautiful day in south Louisiana and I'd like to ride. It's a '03 Midnight Venture. The clutch is hydraulic. Manual suggest that it may need to be bled. Any help on how to go about this?

 

Desperate,

Potohead

[GeorgeS]

Yes, Rebleed the system, if you know how to do it.

 

You want to get all of the fluid replaced in the system as you do the rebleed.

 

If you have never rebleed, a clutch, or brakeing system, I would suggest you get some assistance.

Bleeding the clutch on these bikes is really no different then bleeding the brakes on a car, if you have done this and know how to do it.

 

If you are completly in the dark on this job, probably best to take it to the dealer, have it done, especially if bike is still under warenty.

[BuddyRich]

I would say the same. Bleed the clutch till you purge the fluid if it looks a little yellow or brown.

[flb_78]

do you mean it is barely disengaging and the bike jumps when it goes into gear? or do you mean that it slips when you try to give it gas?

[Eddy]

I recently had to do the same thing on my 97 Valkyrie. It's jump when you put it in gear and then I'd just about have to stomp the kickshifter to get it to change gears. I had a friend to pump the clutch while I bled the system of air and added back about 2 oz. of brake fluid. It now shifts great. Try it, could be a quick and easy fix.

Eddie:322:

[Eck]

Just a thought..

Did you by chance, just happen to change your engine oil recently????

If so, did you use oil that is made for use in wet clutches..??

[midnightventure]

You can go here to view a service manual. The bike is old enough to need the clutch bled even if that isn't the problem.

http://labs.trunkful.com/LIT-11616-12-60.pdf