Motorcycle Repair: Honda Nighthawk 550 84 clutch problem, honda nighthawk 550, friction plates

Question
Hi Chris,

I have an 84 550 nighthawk with a hydraulic clutch, and it's giving me some problems.  As the bike gets hot the clutch begins to slip finally to the point I cannot move. If I put on the stand and put it in gear the wheel rolls, so this tells me the transmission/driveshaft seem ok?  I have had the seals and clutch plates changed, but it still does it.  I have tried bleeding the system and have changed the hydraulic fluid still the same.  When this problem does occur.  If I leave it a while and then bleed a the system a little I can usually get it going again, however it is extremly sluggish.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Ron
Montreal, Qc.

Answer
Hi Ron.
 When you changed the clutchplates and seals, did you replace the springs with brand new ones?

 Are you using any "super lubricant" type oil additives (duralube, slick 50, etc.) in the oil?  If you are, then the entire system needs to be flushed and the friction plates replaced.

 What grade oil are you using?
 If you are using any of the automotive "super lubricating" type of oils, then you are back to having to flush the system and replacing the friction plates.
 These special lubricants are designed for a system where the clutch uses a different type of oil or is what we call "dry sump" type.
 Almost all motorcycles, with the exception of all of the non-sportster model Harleys, have a wet-sump clutch.  That means that the engine oil lubricates the clutch.  This is why you do not use the super lubricating type oils and additives in the bike.  So if you are using any, stop and flush the system.  Replace it with ONLY the factory recommended oil and replace the friction plates.

Check that and let me know what you find.
Good luck.
FALCON