Hello people of the Ducati Sporting Club website. I'm running a 748S in the pages of MCN this year, and I desperately need your help! A number of times in the last few months I've pulled away from petrol stations after a long ride only to encounter a clunky sensation from the rear wheel (it feels like I've ridden over a rock on the ground, but I haven't – believe me, I've checked the last few times!) I'm assuming the clutch is slipping and then grabbing while the lever is being let out on getaway. It's bloody disconcerting (I've almost fallen off in shock at least once) Is my diagnosis of the problem correct? Any other ideas? And, most importantly, is this going to mean a new clutch?
Could be the clutch pack getting caught in grooves in the basket due to wear. Could also be the slave cylinder getting stuck, then getting push back hard by the pressure plate. Does the lever go light before it engages??
Welcome to the board. Looks like you'll have to write about it in a couple of weeks time..... Check the cush drive rubber bushes in the rear hub. They can wear and cause nasty problems if they start slipping out.
I'm not an expert, but do a search on threads on the site for "cush" and you should find some useful info.
Dust trapped in the clutch can cause a few peculiarities and builds up surprisingly quickly if you’re banging on the miles. Welcome to the board and I’d like a Stella please.
often people suspect the clutch - dry clutch, noisy, grabby etc - but i would check the cush drives ASAP. the clutches are not so bad as everyone makes out - simple to work on, just clean out the dust often, don't abuse it and it's no problem. Enjoy the bike - i am on my second 748 - there is a mass-debate about colour, but owners of yellow ones know they have the best ones