a mechanic just told me that the weak speed response I'm getting from my throttle is probably my clutch slipping. He said this is normal at around 30,000 miles. I asked how much it would be to replace the clutch, and he told me somewhere around $600. Being broke as hell all the time this was not well-recieved news. So I looked up clutches for sale and found one on pcs for about $160. My question is how difficult is replacing it myself? My mechanical abilities are quite limited but I do have access to a pretty full garage to do the work. Is this something I should attempt myself?

Gator,

Here is a link to an U Tube clutch install. It is not a V Star but the idea is the same. I think the exhaust will also need to come off your V Star.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br63PLcq3sU

The parts here. Scroll down to clutch kit.

http://www.sscustomcycle.com/products/engine/v-star1100.shtml

Not a real big job but if you lack confidence, tools, and work space you might think about it.

Dave

a friend just told me that it could be that the issue isn't needing a new clutch, but just needing a clutch adjustment. Any ideas how to go about this?

In some cases you can dissassemble clutch plates clean with wd-40 dry lightly sand the contact surface soak in your prefferd motorcycle oil, reinstall clutch plates and done. Down side no riding for a couple of days.