Motorcycle Repair: 1985 Yamaha VMAX Clutch problem, clutch lever, loose pins

Question
Dear Falcon.
I have a 1985 Vmax which I saved from an Auto Wrecker. Evrything works great except the clutch. The bike does not shift consistently. I can either shift up but not down or down but not up and getting into Neutral is always a roll of the dice. The Master and Slave cylinder have been replaced as well as a new line installed, but still problems. It appears as if the is no pressure in the line regardless of how much you bleed it. The mechanic is stumped. A VMOA said it is probably the shift shaft has loose pins or is missing one. Can you help me out on this one?

Answer
Hi Marc.

Start by bleeding any reverse traps in the clutch system.  The most common one is at the banjo fitting.  Here's the proceedure for that if it hasn't been tried;

1) Bleed the clutch line like normal.

2) With a rag placed over anything near the master cylinder that you don't want to get hydraulic fluid on (and while wearing safety glasses), place a wrench on the banjo fitting and depress the clutch lever.

3) With the clutch lever depressed, crack the banjo fitting loose and retighten without releasing the clutch lever.

4) After the banjo fitting is tightened up again, check the clutch.  If it is not as it should be, then repeat steps 2 and 3, but no more than 3 or 4 times.  And make sure that the fluid level does not get low in the master
cylinder.

In addition to that, there are other possibilities that can only be determined by going into the tranny itself to be sure.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON