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I was letting my friend Practice riding around the back parking lot, and all of the sudden it seemed like he stalled, and the bike wouldnt start up again. So i jog over to see whats the matter.
I grab the clutch and there is absolutly no pressure when i grab the handle. I believe its a hydraulic system on these old nighthawks, anybody have an idea what could be wrong with it?

If there is a master cylinder on the clutch(much like the one on the front brake lever has) then it's a hydraulic unit.

If it is hyd., then it could be as simple as low fluid allowing air into the lines, or something like a blown seal in the master cyl. or slave cyl. or a busted line or leaking connection.

If it is a cable system, then it's likely an easily replaced cable problem.

It also could be an internal failure, but you want to check the activation system first.

It Has a slave cylinder, i'll add some DOT 3 fluid when i get a chance tomorrow. I seriously hope that works, i want to drive a cage as little as possible...

IF low fluid is the problem, just adding more won't get it. You'll have to bleed the system and get any and all air out of the system. They are bled much the same way as brakes are bled, but a manual would be a handy thing to have to hand while doing this.

Clymers manual wrote:CLUTCH HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
The clutch is actuated by hydraulic fluid pressure and is controlled by the hand lever on the clutch master cylinder. As clutch components wear, the fluid level drops in the reseroir and automatically adjusts for wear. There is no routine adjustment necessary or possible*.

*bolded by Me

So i went out back today and just out of curiosity pulled the lever again today, and there was pressure there.... Strange quite strange, i still dont trust it.

And to make mattters worse i had to drive my cage today going through such withdrawal....

Even if it says you don't have to adjust stuff, you may want to change the fluids anyway. Your bike is an '85? I bled my brakes and clutch on my '86 magna because the fluid was the same stuff that was in there 19 years ago. It was nasty. After replacing it with new fluid, the clutch handle needed less pull and the brake was slightly more responsive. Definitely get it checked out though just in case fluid isn't the problem.

I know how bad it sucks not being able to ride. Tell your bike my bike sends its regards and hopes for a speedy recovery!

So i was looking at my manual with my dad a little tonight, and he showed me in the book where the bleeder valve is, So we are making headway.

I'll be sure to tell the Old bird the Magna sends its regards

True Hyd. clutches have no adjustment(they self-adjust for wear), but air in the system will need to be bled out. This 'works today, didn't work yesterday'-thing is not a normal situation..... I don't even know where to start looking for an easy fix. If it was mine, I would be stripping both the master and the slave cylinder down to inspect and change seals, as well as taking a good, hard look at the hose.

Bummer, Dude.

Yeah, i dont feel comfortable messing that much with the master and slave cylinders, though i think i really should replace the hose.

I was reading my shop manual and it recommended replacing the hose "every four years or so".... I dont think the hose has ever been replaced to my knowledge. So i may have to cut into my SV fund to get some new hoses "i figure that i should replace the brake hoses too". Bummer indeed.

I dont mind working on brakes,(i've worked on everything including car drum brakes, on a bike however i stay away from that rear wheel with its shaft drive and drum brakes) but clutches seem way more complex than what i feel comfortable fiddling with.

Yeah, so i went outback tonight and Opened the clutch master cylinder and it was pretty much dry..... so i filled it and bled it!!! and wouldnt you know it?

The nighthawk lives again!!!!!