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Clutch issue

Old Apr 8, 2011 | 03:58 PM
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Clutch issue

Is there a clutch adjustment on these superhawks. It seams that my clutch is slipping a bit. Didn't slip when I test drove it. The fluid is rather black and on the low side. Not sure if it needs a clutch or what. It said it has 3300k miles. Not sure of i believe that if the clutch is going. It runs beautifully. Any info will help guys. It just seams rather weird.
Old Apr 8, 2011 | 04:06 PM
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the fluid in the resevior is balck? or the fluid in the clutch case is black. if its the latter its oil. i dont think that bad clutch fluid would keep the clutch from engaging.
Old Apr 8, 2011 | 04:41 PM
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The oil is new in the engine. The resevior is black on the lever. Not sure if there is an adjustment etc.
Old Apr 8, 2011 | 05:00 PM
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I would definitely suggest changing the fluid.
Old Apr 8, 2011 | 05:46 PM
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Would that make the clutch engage more. The clutch grabs right at the end of the of the lever. I tried adjusting the lever but is seams is just sets the location Of the lever. Where's the beSt place to buy a clutch kit if I need one.
Old Apr 8, 2011 | 06:00 PM
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Black clutch and brake fluid is not a good thing. As the fluid is hygroscopic it has absorbed water and contaminants which could transfer corrosion to your brake calipers and clutch mechanism.

Bleed your clutch and brake resevoirs until you get clear fluid.

The Superhawk clutch naturally engages near the end of the lever travel.

Last edited by RWhisen; May 3, 2011 at 04:50 AM.
Old Apr 8, 2011 | 06:20 PM
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I will try to flush out the hydraulic fluid tomorrow. Its weird i have never changed a clutch on a bike before. I am really starting to think the bike doesnt have 3k miles on it. Its a really clean bike but the clutch shouldn't be doing this crap. When i goose it in any gear it revs up but slips a bit. I have owned multiple bikes like a cbr929, cbr900, zx900, aprilia falco and never had to do a clutch, i also currently own a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 nomad, so the Mrs can ride comfortably. Is there any troubleshooting i should try before i go out and buy a clutch kit. What would be a top of the line clutch for these superhawk. I see dennis kirk has a ebc race/sport clutch kit for 237$.
Old Apr 8, 2011 | 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by shwinny
I will try to flush out the hydraulic fluid tomorrow. Its weird i have never changed a clutch on a bike before. I am really starting to think the bike doesnt have 3k miles on it. Its a really clean bike but the clutch shouldn't be doing this crap. When i goose it in any gear it revs up but slips a bit. I have owned multiple bikes like a cbr929, cbr900, zx900, aprilia falco and never had to do a clutch, i also currently own a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 nomad, so the Mrs can ride comfortably. Is there any troubleshooting i should try before i go out and buy a clutch kit. What would be a top of the line clutch for these superhawk. I see dennis kirk has a ebc race/sport clutch kit for 237$.
Change the fluid and ride it for a bit. If it does have 3K miles, then it has sat for a looooong time and there is a good chance the clutch plates dried out.

Run it for a while and I would bet the issue goes away.
Old Apr 9, 2011 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 8541Hawk
Change the fluid and ride it for a bit. If it does have 3K miles, then it has sat for a looooong time and there is a good chance the clutch plates dried out.

Run it for a while and I would bet the issue goes away.
+1 Happened to an old bike of mine. Also, if the fluid is that dirty, you could have stuff clogging your line. Maybe PO had some car oil in it with friction modifiers? I've never seen a clutch slip from it, but know it's possible. Only other thing I can think of would be worn clutch springs, but at 3k miles?!?
Old Apr 11, 2011 | 07:05 AM
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Bike runs beautifully now. The hydraulic fluid was low and nasty and must have got air in the line. I flushed it out and its good to go. Bike runs really good. Did 220miles over the weekend. No slipping
Old Apr 11, 2011 | 05:42 PM
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Air would keep it from releasing, but fixed is fixed. Enjoy your bike!
Old May 2, 2011 | 12:23 PM
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I have a problem with the bike I just got(black Superhawk) the clutch friction point does not start to engage until the lever is almost completely released. Where can I find how to adjust it?
Old May 2, 2011 | 12:30 PM
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Totally guessing, but b/c it's a hydraulic clutch, I think your two options are to bleed the system, and if that doesn't work, then you're in need of new clutch plates...
Old May 3, 2011 | 04:49 AM
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Originally Posted by RWhisen
The Superhawk clutch naturally engages near the end of the lever travel.
See earlier post.......
Old May 3, 2011 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by RWhisen
See earlier post.......
that is just how they work. There is no adjustment for the friction point.
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