clutch quit working

[waywing]

While riding in stop and go traffic going up the summit in 90 degree weather, my clutch quit working- that is the lever went in and out without engaging. So I put it in second gear and lane split (which is illegal in Utah) and made it to the summit, then proceeded to coast down the other side of the mountain to try to make it home. After about 1/2 hour the clutch came back online, and I made it home. My questions are- What happened to it -why did it quit-why did it come back - and did I do any damage, and do I need to repair anything? 1999 GL 1500

[Rambozo]

Probably a hydraulic problem. Time to flush the system and change the fluid. There is a very tiny hole in the bottom of the reservoir that you probably need to clean with a small wire. BTW clutch and brake fluid should be changed every two years to keep this from happening. When you open it up, if it is in bad shape you may need to rebuild the master and slave cylinders.

[waywing]

What kind of fluid does the clutch use?

[Rambozo]

Standard DOT 4 brake fluid.
Be sure not to spill any on painted or plastic parts as it will damage them.

[newday777]

Overheated clutch hydraulic fluid from not flushing it yearly and bleeding the air out. DOT 3 has very low boiling point, get Racing Dot4 from Belray. Do your brakes too. Flush and bleed yearly as preventative maintenance. Honda says 24 months but these systems gain ambient moisture from being left out in the sun and heat. Do it yearly.

[waywing]

I can't own and ride a Goldwing without Goldwingdocs. I have already cleaned and flushed my reservoir (shocked at what I found) and am waiting for parts to rebuild my clutch slave (there is evidence of it leaking outside) Thanks Guys!