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Boiling clutch fluid

just James

Cruisin' Guzzisti
Joined
Nov 13, 2017
Messages
109
Location
Sunny Valley OR
Yesterday, as I was going up a long grade over a high mountain pass in the Rockies just west of Denver, I pulled over to take some pictures, and my clutch wouldn't disengage. Seeing as how I am 1,300 miles from home, I was more than a little concerned. I didn't end up completely stopping because I figured I better try to get in to Denver to get it fixed.
After riding on in to Denver, it began working right again. All I can figure is that the motor was unable to adequately cool itself at that altitude, and boiled the clutch fluid.
Anyone else here ever had a similar problem?
 
Had the clutch fluid, and the motor oil changed today.
Was a little early on the oil change, but figured if the engine got that warm, it couldn't hurt.
 
Had the clutch fluid, and the motor oil changed today.
Was a little early on the oil change, but figured if the engine got that warm, it couldn't hurt.
James, it is not the engine's fault. it is bad brake fluid. "Virgin" brake fluid should stand 450+ degrees give or take a few. Brake fluid (same as clutch fluid) is hygroscopic. Meaning that is will absorb moisture from the air. That absorption, causes the boiling point of the fluid to plummet to the point where a hot engine will boil the fluid creating water vapor bubbles in the lines, hence, no brakes or clutch action. Fluid ideally should be changed every year or so, as the moisture will be absorbed even if the bike just sits.
Hope that helps.
Good luck
Kirk
 
James, it is not the engine's fault. it is bad brake fluid. "Virgin" brake fluid should stand 450+ degrees give or take a few. Brake fluid (same as clutch fluid) is hygroscopic. Meaning that is will absorb moisture from the air. That absorption, causes the boiling point of the fluid to plummet to the point where a hot engine will boil the fluid creating water vapor bubbles in the lines, hence, no brakes or clutch action. Fluid ideally should be changed every year or so, as the moisture will be absorbed even if the bike just sits.
Hope that helps.
Good luck
Kirk
Of course you are absolutely right. I don't know why I didn't think of that. I guess I was just a little too freaked out at the thought of having a mechanical issue 1,300 miles from home to think clearly. The boiling point of water is pretty low at 11,000 feet of altitude.
Thanks
 
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