I have been noticing the handle for the clutch has been sort of hard to pull in. After a while of riding the ol wrist feels it. I never had this before. Bike is totally original, as far as clutch components go. It is a hydraulic type, fluid has never been changed and I am thinking about that, just was wondering if anyone ran into this before or had other ideas...

 

The clutch master cylinder is virtually identical to the brake master cylinders, at least in there operation. They have rebuild kits that are available. The quickest way to get better feel back in it is to replace the fluid. Over time the fluid absorbs moisture. As it does it gets discolored turning a dark brown. If it's all original, I'd suggest rebuilding the master cylinder as well as the slave down by the shift lever. After that it'll feel just like new.Hope this helps.

 

thanks. What type fluid does it use? I am assuming its brake fluid, but what DOT #?

 

pretty sure its dot4

 

It's definitely DOT 4.

I replaced my clutch fluid last night. One of the screws in the reserviour cap wasreal tight and I managed to strip the top so had to drill off the head and got thethread out with multigrips. The fluid was a murky brown and there was brown rusty looking fine corrosion powder sitting in the reserviour. Cleaned itout as best I could and pumped through lots of new blue fluid.

What's the easiest way to get a new screw? Take the other one into the wreckers and see if they have one lying around?

My clutch seems a lot heavier with the new fluid in it...