1998 gl1500 not downshifting

[Bowieeeeeeeeee]

Hi All, took the bike out for a ride today and halfway through a 60 mile ride I started having issues downshifting. I could go up through all the gears but when I needed to downshift (like for a stop) I had to repeatedly push down on the shifter while I let the clutch in and out. It would only downshift a gear or two until I slowed down, then I had to keep pressing down until I got down to 1st. It also was not going into neutral. I had to go down to 1 and stall the bike before it would engage and even then there wasn't any click just the N light. I also noticed that it would still move forward (albeit really slow) when I had the clutch pulled in. At a stop on a flat surface it would continue to move with the clutch in. Wasn't any kind of build up to today's events. It worked fine last time I was out. Checked the oil and everything looks fine there. So what is the consensus? Is it something nefarious? And if so is it semi easy to repair. I've never replaced a clutch so if that's the case I need to know if it can be accomplished by a novice or is it better served with a mechanic? I'd really like to do any repair I might need myself. Anyway thanks for looking...

[DenverWinger]

Clutch is not fully dis-engaging. First thing to check is fluid in the Clutch master cylinder, if it's really low you probably have air in the clutch hydraulics.

If the clutch fluid is low, next thing is to find out why. This happening suddenly suggests a hydraulic leak. Check for leaks at the slave cylinder. See these "How-to" topics.

If no external leaks it could be the internal seal, leaking hydraulic fluid into the engine crankcase. This is bad, brake fluid in the oil can damage your engine.

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Might have a worn clutch lever bushing, too.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=12622

[Bowieeeeeeeeee]

Thanks for the help, I will check it out. This is the 1st bike I've had with an hydraulic clutch so the thought never crossed my mind.

[Rambozo]

Do you have a heel toe shifter?

[Bowieeeeeeeeee]

Do you have a heel toe shifter?

No. I did check the clutch reservoir though and it was almost empty. Will be checking slave cylinder for leaks tomorrow.