Having problems with my 1985 Honda VF1000r

I believe the clutch is going because sometimes the clutch will not shift into the gears and i can let it all the way out in gear and the bike wont die. I also have to let the clutch lever nearly all the way out to shift. I realised the bike had almost no clutch fluid when i got it and im wondering if that ruined it. How much would a new clutch cost? Also the fans wont work on it so it overheats when rode for a while. One day I was riding it before I knew about the clutch and it was overheating and the clutch would work so i pulled over and I heard the fan go on but It hasnt done so ever since. Could it be the use of the wrong clutch fluid? I have no clue whats up with this bike

 

I think you should do a visual inspection of the clutch basket as described, just my two pennies.

 

Include a visual inspection of the service manual too ! :cheersaf:

 

Did you bleed the clutch when you put fluid in it? If it was as low as you say, then there is most like air in the system. You may want to start there before taking it apart. Good luck if you can't do the work yourself. Most dealers and bike shops don't work on stuff that old. Parts availability is one reason.

 

You'd agree it's am unusually complex bike, difficult to work on and that inexperienced twiddlers without studying the service manual in detail have little chance of repairing what it may need before they begin breaking things unless they've worked with TOOLS for awhile and that sometimes more damage is done than fixed ??? Find a good, honest local shop and consider paying a pro to get things done right.

Remember that "No maintenance is better than bad maintenance cuz it don't cost time or money."