Hydraulic clutch stopped working when hot

[clay0483]

i need some advice. I live in central. MI took my GL1200 87 aspy down to Tennessee rode through the Smokey's, and yes, had to ride the tail of the dragon, it was an awesome ride.at the end of the last night there we got hung up in traffic at Pigeon forge. car show, it literally took about 3 hours to travel the 2-3 miles anyway, while sitting in traffic ridding the clutch the bike was getting hot, went to let the clutch out ,there was nothing there . I was able to push the bike off the road and let it sit for about 2 hours, started it up and everything worked fine. my question is I need to leave in the morning for MI do I trust it? or do i ytake it to a shop and have the clutch checked out.

[Aussie81Interstate]

See how it runs after it has cooled down overnight. Test the clutch drag - hold the front brake - slowly let out the clutch when in first gear and see if you can fully release the clutch without stalling - if the bike stalls out - then I think you will be fine.

[MikeB]

When was the last time the clutch fluid was replaced? How about the brake fluid? The stuff goes bad after a few years. If it has not been replaced then that is most likely your problem.

[WingAdmin]

When was the last time the clutch fluid was replaced? How about the brake fluid? The stuff goes bad after a few years. If it has not been replaced then that is most likely your problem.

Agreed. If the clutch fluid hasn't been replaced in a while, it will absorb water - it is hydrophilic. Clutch fluid with water is heavier than pure, clean clutch fluid, so it will tend to settle down at the bottom of the system - right at the clutch slave cylinder. If there is enough heat, the water in the fluid will boil, turning into highly compressible steam. When you squeeze your clutch lever, all you'd be doing is compressing the steam, instead of actuating the slave cylinder.

Once it cools off and the steam condenses back into water, you'll get the clutch action back - until next time.

[made2care]

I had a similar issue with Sleeping Beauty gl1200. Replaced the oem line with stainless and fresh fluid and she worked better than ever.

[clay0483]

thanks guys, I rode home on Monday with no problems,I will change the fluid, and hopefully wont have any problems in the near future. thanks again I do love the bike but a 1900 mile trip gets a little sore on the backside.