QuestionMy 1989 VT1100 Shadow was in storage for 3 years. Other than a leaky tank and weak battery, it ran fine. I replaced the tank and installed a new battery and the engine starts and runs fine. When I put it in gear and let out the clutch, nothing happens. I bled the master cylinder, but now the clutch feels bound up solid (I can't squeeze the lever). I've had the cover off the clutch housing, and there is no sign of rust or anything that will bind it up. It's as though the clutch won't release. With the cover off, I can then easily squeeze the clutch lever and brake fluid squirts out of the hole in the center of the clutch assembly. When I replace the cover, the clutch is bound up again.
AnswerJohn, If the hydraulics are okay, then I suspect the the clutch pack has seized up from sitting. I am not quite sure I understand your comment about brake fluid squirting out of the hole in the clutch assembly....?
The clutch release system has the master cylinder and the slave cylinder on the case. There shouldn't be any fluid leaks, unless you pumped the slave cylinder piston out of the housing, during your testing. The seal in the slave cylinder can get bound up, like those on a brake caliper if moisture has gotten into the hydraulics and worked its way under the seal in the recess.
It sounds like you were able to pull the clutch lever in initially, then it became solid.. correct? Be sure that the reservoir is clean inside, so you can see the small bleed holes in the floor of the chamber. If the forward one, closest to the outlet of the master cylinder is plugged or restricted, the fluid won't cycle back into the chamber again. The other one feeds fluid to the piston.
Probably you will have to pull the clutch cover, disassemble the clutch pack, inspect, clean and reassemble as necessary.
Bill Silver
