Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
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- NOVAwing
- Posts: 231
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 5:54 pm
- Location: Nothern Va
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Aspencade
Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
Hi gang,
Hope everyone is well and enjoying the riding season!
So about our clutch.....
Hope is it supposed to work?
When I squeeze it, and let it out, it starts to grab about 3/4 of the way out and does not fully engage until about 90% released.
Is that normal operation or does mine need service?
If it needs service, what does it need, replacement, or bleeding, or what?
Thanks for your help as always!
NOVAwing
Hope everyone is well and enjoying the riding season!
So about our clutch.....
Hope is it supposed to work?
When I squeeze it, and let it out, it starts to grab about 3/4 of the way out and does not fully engage until about 90% released.
Is that normal operation or does mine need service?
If it needs service, what does it need, replacement, or bleeding, or what?
Thanks for your help as always!
NOVAwing
Last edited by NOVAwing on Wed Sep 19, 2018 8:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
NOVAwing
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
- CrystalPistol
- Posts: 572
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:07 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
- Motorcycle: 1985 GL1200A
1997 GL1500SE Lehman Trike
Re: Question about our clutch
It reads as if it's normal. Is it consistant and does it feel same after holding in for a minute or two?
I know you are just guess-timating travel, etc. If in doubt, it's fairly easy to bleed using squeeze & hold method with one left hand, and opening / shutting bleeder with right. Check level ever so often and be slow and careful & deliberate with squeezes.
I know you are just guess-timating travel, etc. If in doubt, it's fairly easy to bleed using squeeze & hold method with one left hand, and opening / shutting bleeder with right. Check level ever so often and be slow and careful & deliberate with squeezes.

- RockportDave
- Posts: 293
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:39 pm
- Location: Rockport Texas
- Motorcycle: 1999 GL1500 SE
Re: Question about our clutch
If it just started acting different, you need to be sure the slave cylinder is not leaking. If it’s leaking, it goes into the engine and will contaminate your oil and if the engine is run too long, it will get to the bearings which is not good.
Dave
Dave
1999 GL1500SE 5th Goldwing through the years
- NOVAwing
- Posts: 231
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 5:54 pm
- Location: Nothern Va
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Aspencade
Re: Question about our clutch
Its been this way since i first successfully flushed it after it sat for 4 years, no change in a few hundred miles ive put on it. It does not noticbly leak down when holding it.CrystalPistol wrote: ↑Wed Sep 19, 2018 6:50 pmIt reads as if it's normal. Is it consistant and does it feel same after holding in for a minute or two?
I know you are just guess-timating travel, etc. If in doubt, it's fairly easy to bleed using squeeze & hold method with one left hand, and opening / shutting bleeder with right. Check level ever so often and be slow and careful & deliberate with squeezes.
I could try bleeding it again, i just dread the thought of more bleeding after the ordeal i went through to get pressure in this clutch and the rear brakes i rebuilt lol.
All great info thanks very much, sounds like I may be fine.
NOVAwing
NOVAwing
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
- NOVAwing
- Posts: 231
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 5:54 pm
- Location: Nothern Va
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Aspencade
Re: Question about our clutch
Thanks Rockport,RockportDave wrote: ↑Wed Sep 19, 2018 7:07 pmIf it just started acting different, you need to be sure the slave cylinder is not leaking. If it’s leaking, it goes into the engine and will contaminate your oil and if the engine is run too long, it will get to the bearings which is not good.
Dave
It has not changed behavior since I first fixed it.
Great info, did not know about the leaking dangers.
I should rebuild it top and bottom like I did the rear master. Next year project.
NOVAwing
NOVAwing
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
- RockportDave
- Posts: 293
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:39 pm
- Location: Rockport Texas
- Motorcycle: 1999 GL1500 SE
Re: Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
I bought a vacuum pump at Harbor Freight for $20 and it works good for bleeding clutch and brakes. When I got my bike the PO just put brakes on it and the foot pedal had too much travel. Used the vacuum pump on it and it’s solid and high. Flushed both brake systems and the clutch in an afternoon.
Dave
Dave
1999 GL1500SE 5th Goldwing through the years
- tamathumper
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 6:02 pm
- Location: Day, NY
- Motorcycle: 2003 GL1800A
Re: Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
Check the "Clutch Lever Adjustment" section of the Owner's Manual also, to ensure you have the clutch lever travel set the way you want. It's on page 139 in my copy.
'03 GL1800A | Porsche 968 | Ford F-150 | Skidoo GSX (2) | Seadoo GTI (2) | Suzuki ATV (2)
A.A.O.N.M.S. | NRA Endowment | Gun Owners of America | Oath Keepers
A.A.O.N.M.S. | NRA Endowment | Gun Owners of America | Oath Keepers
- virgilmobile
- Posts: 8744
- Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Denham Springs,La.
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500 I
Previously owned
78 GL1000
81 GL1100
82 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 standard
84 GL 1200 I
Re: Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
When I squeeze it, and let it out, it starts to grab about 3/4 of the way out and does not fully engage until about 90% released.
Ya know...this sounds a bit far..
My88 is quite different.
Mine starts to grab a bit less than half way and fully engaged at 3/4...
Your pressure return port on the clutch master cylinder may be plugged...
Especially noticible if the clutch lever is very firm when it's first moved from the rest position.
Ya know...this sounds a bit far..
My88 is quite different.
Mine starts to grab a bit less than half way and fully engaged at 3/4...
Your pressure return port on the clutch master cylinder may be plugged...
Especially noticible if the clutch lever is very firm when it's first moved from the rest position.
- NOVAwing
- Posts: 231
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 5:54 pm
- Location: Nothern Va
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Aspencade
Re: Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
I have the mityvac from HF.RockportDave wrote: ↑Wed Sep 19, 2018 8:48 pmI bought a vacuum pump at Harbor Freight for $20 and it works good for bleeding clutch and brakes. When I got my bike the PO just put brakes on it and the foot pedal had too much travel. Used the vacuum pump on it and it’s solid and high. Flushed both brake systems and the clutch in an afternoon.
Dave
16E69838-6F20-4694-9BAD-988A744B8E99.png
I just went through so much getting the systems working initially I don't want to do anymore lol.
It seems fine for now. I will keep an eye on it though.
Thanks.
NOVAwing
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
- NOVAwing
- Posts: 231
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 5:54 pm
- Location: Nothern Va
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Aspencade
Re: Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
That is interesting thank you.tamathumper wrote: ↑Thu Sep 20, 2018 8:20 amCheck the "Clutch Lever Adjustment" section of the Owner's Manual also, to ensure you have the clutch lever travel set the way you want. It's on page 139 in my copy.
I will look into this for more details.
Thank you.
NOVAwing
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
- NOVAwing
- Posts: 231
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 5:54 pm
- Location: Nothern Va
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Aspencade
Re: Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
Yea, I thought it was a bit far also, but its holding fine so...…maybe I'm just not used to a Wing's idiosyncrasies.virgilmobile wrote: ↑Thu Sep 20, 2018 8:39 amWhen I squeeze it, and let it out, it starts to grab about 3/4 of the way out and does not fully engage until about 90% released.
Ya know...this sounds a bit far..
My88 is quite different.
Mine starts to grab a bit less than half way and fully engaged at 3/4...
Your pressure return port on the clutch master cylinder may be plugged...
Especially noticible if the clutch lever is very firm when it's first moved from the rest position.
I cleaned the crap out of the clutch system, blew cleaner through the system, bled like 4 liters of brake fluid through it lol. I doubt its plugged again. The lever is not firm or odd at any time.
Thanks for the idea's.
NOVAwing
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
- tamathumper
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 6:02 pm
- Location: Day, NY
- Motorcycle: 2003 GL1800A
Re: Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
Apologies, I blanked earlier on your model - if you're talking about the 1500, I'm not familiar with that model or with the clutch lever adjustment method. I was referring to the GL1800.
'03 GL1800A | Porsche 968 | Ford F-150 | Skidoo GSX (2) | Seadoo GTI (2) | Suzuki ATV (2)
A.A.O.N.M.S. | NRA Endowment | Gun Owners of America | Oath Keepers
A.A.O.N.M.S. | NRA Endowment | Gun Owners of America | Oath Keepers
- virgilmobile
- Posts: 8744
- Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Denham Springs,La.
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500 I
Previously owned
78 GL1000
81 GL1100
82 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 standard
84 GL 1200 I
Re: Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
Because there's no "adjustments" for the clutch lever...if the operation seems off..do check the clutch lever pivot pin.That little part that pushes the master cylinder piston in...Seems I recall that's it's a common wear part.Either the pin outer shell is worn,the lever is worn or the contact divot is worn..Any or all will effectively dislocate the engauge/disengage position of the lever.
This could explain that it still works consistently but just out of position ..
Or the bike has been dumped and the lever is bent.
This could explain that it still works consistently but just out of position ..
Or the bike has been dumped and the lever is bent.
- Stew
- Posts: 344
- Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:40 am
- Location: Smokey Point, WA - USA
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
2005 Honda CRF230F
Previous bikes:
2003 Honda Ruckus
1993 Honda Elite SR
1986 Honda CR125R
1979 Yamaha GT80
Re: Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
I’ve always thought the clutch engagement point was out a bit further than I would’ve expected on mine too. I removed the pivot pin and lubed it and it was fine, the clutch has always worked fine and held solid. I’m just chalking it up to that’s how it is and not worrying about it.
Winging it every chance I get 
19,119 miles when I got it from dad Oct 15, 2017 --- 24,532 miles and counting as of Oct 17, 2018!

19,119 miles when I got it from dad Oct 15, 2017 --- 24,532 miles and counting as of Oct 17, 2018!
- NOVAwing
- Posts: 231
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 5:54 pm
- Location: Nothern Va
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Aspencade
Re: Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
Thanks Virgil,virgilmobile wrote: ↑Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:43 pmBecause there's no "adjustments" for the clutch lever...if the operation seems off..do check the clutch lever pivot pin.That little part that pushes the master cylinder piston in...Seems I recall that's it's a common wear part.Either the pin outer shell is worn,the lever is worn or the contact divot is worn..Any or all will effectively dislocate the engauge/disengage position of the lever.
This could explain that it still works consistently but just out of position ..
Or the bike has been dumped and the lever is bent.
This is one of the first parts I replaced when I started working on the bike.
That brass clutch bushing. The clutch holds and does not seem to leak down. The operation of if has not changed since I initially got it working.
Just seemed to engage later then I would have thought is all.
Seems im fine.
Thanks!
NOVAwing
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
1993 GL1500 Aspencade, restored from 4 years rotting outside.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
- SlowTyper
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:37 am
- Location: Pierre, SD
- Motorcycle: 1985 GL1200 Aspencade
Re: Questions about our clutch, is mine working right?
I am not familiar with the 1500 -- mine is 1200. But I have some general comments.
Based on your symptoms, I doubt that your brake line needs to be bled. Air in the line makes it spongy, and causes the clutch to engage right away or even drag somewhat despite the lever being tight against the handlebar.
I would look for three things in the operation of a clutch: 1) If it is adjusted correctly, there should be at least some moment of the clutch mechanism before you feel the clutch start to disengage. Related to this, the clutch should not slip when the engine is at full throttle. And 2) The clutch should be fully disengaged before the lever reaches the handlebar. If it doesn't, there may be air in the line or the thing is so far out of adjustment that all the action takes place near the handlebar. And 3) When slipping the clutch, there should be a small change in slippage/drag if the lever is moved ever so slightly. If not, the line is probably plugged with old gelled brake fluid that does not want to travel up & down the clutch hose.
Based on your symptoms, I doubt that your brake line needs to be bled. Air in the line makes it spongy, and causes the clutch to engage right away or even drag somewhat despite the lever being tight against the handlebar.
I would look for three things in the operation of a clutch: 1) If it is adjusted correctly, there should be at least some moment of the clutch mechanism before you feel the clutch start to disengage. Related to this, the clutch should not slip when the engine is at full throttle. And 2) The clutch should be fully disengaged before the lever reaches the handlebar. If it doesn't, there may be air in the line or the thing is so far out of adjustment that all the action takes place near the handlebar. And 3) When slipping the clutch, there should be a small change in slippage/drag if the lever is moved ever so slightly. If not, the line is probably plugged with old gelled brake fluid that does not want to travel up & down the clutch hose.