Soft and spongy clutch solution

[W3JNP]

Clutch gets spongy when hot solution.

I’ve put a bit over 6,000 miles on my new to me 2016 FLRT since getting it last August.

On a recent charity ride the clutch became very soft and spongy in stop & go traffic.

Did some investigating and found that the brake fluid used in the clutch had absorbed to much moisture.

The moisture boils at a much lower temperature than the brake fluid.

The close proximity of the clutch line to the mufflers allows the water moisture to boil resulting in the soft & spongy clutch,

When the bike cools down clutch action will return to normal.

Changed the fluid (easy job) and I will insulate the clutch line near the muffler.

Plan on doing the brake fluids next as I’m sure they are just as bad as the clutch was.

 

[rhino 2]

Clutch gets spongy when hot solution.

I’ve put a bit over 6,000 miles on my new to me 2016 FLRT since getting it last August.

On a recent charity ride the clutch became very soft and spongy in stop & go traffic.

Did some investigating and found that the brake fluid used in the clutch had absorbed to much moisture.

The moisture boils at a much lower temperature than the brake fluid.

The close proximity of the clutch line to the mufflers allows the water moisture to boil resulting in the soft & spongy clutch,

When the bike cools down clutch action will return to normal.

Changed the fluid (easy job) and I will insulate the clutch line near the muffler.

Plan on doing the brake fluids next as I’m sure they are just as bad as the clutch was.

When i change the fluids the first time on my 2011 Tri [@25K]....I used a Q-tip to clean the fluid reservoirs.......Quite a bit of black residue was on the bottom...

 

[Jack Klarich]

When i change the fluids the first time on my 2011 Tri [@25K]....I used a Q-tip to clean the fluid reservoirs.......Quite a bit of black residue was on the bottom...

Yup, same here on my 15 and 17

Whoever installed these used way too much assembly fluid IMO

Good call Bob, anyone doing this @ home should for sure clean that crud out

 

[rhino 2]

Yup, same here on my 15 and 17

Whoever installed these used way too much assembly fluid IMO

Good call Bob, anyone doing this @ home should for sure clean that crud out

Thats one of the Yogi tips.....IE ; You can see a lot just by looking...:laugh:...