My Star chapter was invited to be in the Granada Hills Holiday parade yesterday. VERY exciting! Over 18 bike showed up.

First it was cold and overcast (not really a big deal) and we had to wait over an hour and a half past the start time (again not a big deal) about a block into the parade in front of the announcer booth and camera my friend rev'd his engine to appease the crowd his clutch stuck and he went out of control barely missing a few girls in front of us and laid his R* over messing up his bags and lights and injuring his leg. a couple of members helped him get off to the side and stayed with him (he is sore but, ok) and we continued on I noticed my clutch starting to fade too and tried to keep popping it in Neutral. Then in front of the judges booth it gives out and I kill the bike with my brake. Trying desperately to get it in Neutral start and move again forever (probably 45 secs) Holding up the parade I get it started again and ride to the side of the road and park to let er cool down while the rest continue on.
About 25min later my wife calls in a panic wondering where I was cause the chapter just rode by her I can hear my kids crying in the background "where's Daddy?" I see my clutch is back so I started my R* up and rode along side the parade like a lone biker getting quite a few odd looks...especially from an announcer with a bullhorn who said "AND HERE WE HAVE aaaa errr (wildly looking at his paperwork) aaaa then to me "who are you" to which I replied "I'm lost!"
I pass my my wife and kids who were thrilled to see me on onto the end where the rest of the chapter was. 2 more guys's clutches gave out and they pushed their bikes the last block our vice president's hand cramped up so bad he almost lost it.

Sooooo the Lesson of the Day is: Roadstars do NOT like parades!!

Steven

Embarassing as all get out but fortunately no major injuries. After a couple parades this summer I know what you mean. And the HD's were a bit worse off going so slow.

greyphart

Interesting enough we had an older custom HD street glide in our group reving the crap out of it the whole time 2 up and NO problems!

Steven

older custom HD street glide
AMF years? (Sorry 'bout that).

greyphart

Yep been there done a few of them and most in 100 degrees. Lot of bike crapped out and over heated some started burnng oil. My R* just kept on trucken but my aXX was fried.

Ive got the barnett set up,,, no probs with mine, just cramped hands...

Sorry to hear you guys had a rough parade but glad no one got seriously injured

Wow, that sucks! Glad no one was hurt too badly. Somebody asked me if I was riding in our local parade and I told them that was just a clutch killer. Guess I was right!

I've ridden in several parades, hot and cold out no clutch problems thank goodness, but I'll keep watch of that. I always keep in mind a clutch cable break, so I point it like a loaded gun and keep mind of the kill switch. I run Mobile One Or Amsoil, what kind of Oil did the problem ones have in, maybe it makes a difference? Heck once I got caught in over 100 degree heat in N.O. traffic jam and that would be the test of a lifetime, Bike running, like 45 Minutes, stop and go moving 3 to 10 feet at a time.......... I changed the Amsoil out right after It cooked so much. (At 8K anyways) If I had yamalube in it I would have stopped or pushed it. I have an 07. 33K on it. Also have done some cold day parades. like in the 30's No problems.

Something we need to keep an eye on and try to find out what gives. Oil is only thing I can think of that might make a difference.

I run Amsoil and have the Barnett spring plate didn't think I would have any problems especially with it being in the 50s.

My friend who wrecked his R* had Mobil 1 Vtwin, One guy who had to push his R* the last block runs Amsoil and a Barnett clutch plate, the other had Mobil 1 Vtwin, There was one guy who's R* was bone stock except Hacker duals including Yamalube his clutch was fine but, when he went to start his bike after we stopped a the end of the parade it didn't want to turn over. We rocked it back and forth while he hit the starter and she fired up and he rode it home.

The bikes with no problems- 2 Roadliners, 1300Vstar, and bone stock 950 Vstar. An 1100 was smoking at the end of the parade but running ok.

Steven