Motorcycle Repair: 1990 Honda Shadow clutch, honda shadow vt1100, clutch fluid

Question
The last 2 days my 1990 Honda Shadow VT1100 has been acting up on me.  It has been not shifting very smoothly from 1st gear into second and it is extremely hard to get the bike into nuetral after I come to a stop.  If you could give me any advice please, please let me know before this becomes a bigger problem.  Would and oil change affect this at all?  I put new spark plugs in and gave it an oil change with Honda 20-50 oil yesterday.  Thanks for your time.  Tom in St. Louis

Answer
Hi Tom,

If the clutch problem developed two days ago and the engine oil was changed one day ago, I doubt the heavy oil is causing the clutch problem. If in doubt, change to a lighter oil.

Heavier engine oil may contribute to clutch problems. Clutch plates tend to separate more easily with lighter oils.

Try bleeding the clutch system.

If the clutch fluid has not been changed in a year, consider flushing it with new. Blled to complete the task.

I return tech information files by email. There was no email address with question as requested in my instructions.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively