Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > General Motorcycles only > Clutch adjustment

[Fiver]

hiya

I have a few questions that i wanna ask so i thought id stagger them while i tidy my office up here.

I'm having trouble finding neutral easily, which according to 2 mechanics could be to do with clutch drag.
One mechanic said i should adjust the lever as i have a fair amount of play before it actually does anything, but the other one said that i shouldnt touch the lever as the adjustment screw has been filled in with resin (or something similar).

Is it ok to adujst it and see if this solves it?

Any idea if it would solve it ?

Thanks in advance
Sorry for the stoopid noob questions

Cy

[Paul James]

Likeliest to be problems with the slave cylinder seal leaking/loss of fluid. This is a weakness that Ducatis tend to suffer. I got over it by remaking the slave cylinder piston, push rod and using different seals so that the side of the cylinder that picks up all the crap off the chain is sealed wioth an air vent pipe up under the seat. Used this on my ST2 to test it and its stood up to 25,000 miles withjout a hitch.

[KeefyB]

It could be wear in the clutch basket.The tags on the clutch plates can rattle against the basket creating a sort of ratchet effect.This will effect the clutch action in time.
Looks like a 600SS in the pic,so it will be a wet clutch.If you are going to inspect it,you will need to drain the oil first.
Another cause could simply be air in the system.Try bleeding it with fresh fluid.

[Paul James]

Originally posted by KeefyB
It could be wear in the clutch basket.The tags on the clutch plates can rattle against the basket creating a sort of ratchet effect.This will effect the clutch action in time.
Looks like a 600SS in the pic,so it will be a wet clutch.If you are going to inspect it,you will need to drain the oil first.
Another cause could simply be air in the system.Try bleeding it with fresh fluid.

My 750ss had a wet clutch and I have to say gave no problems, the operating mechanism is entirely different on the wet clutch models so Keith could be right about the plates jamming in the basket, could be that the plain plates have worn the clutch centre as well ?

[yorkshire pud]

any chance off apic paul. it is a crap design. ave replaced seals.

[Fiver]

thanks for the replies!

i was unaware it was a wet clutch system in the bike. ha! ya learn something everyday on here!

Indeed it is a 600ss (97)

I have noticed over the last few days of riding that the clutch/gearbox has been acting kinda oddly/badly. Im dreading the bill if it is that going wrong.
I will change the fluid out and see where we go from there.

If it does turn out to be the clutch that needs replacing, could this be done by someone with semi decent skills? (i have rebuilt a good few 2 stroke engines from scratch before).

Should I presume theres specialist tools needed and will have to get the dealer (£££) to do it?

Cheers
Cy

[KeefyB]

Originally posted by Fiver
Should I presume theres specialist tools needed and will have to get the dealer (£££) to do it?

Nah mate,a decent socket set and allen keys should sort it.
BTW,I forgot to mention,there should'nt be any reason to remove the resin from the clutch lever screw,...its there for a reason!

[GsxrAge]

Remember that the old 600 engine has cluch slave cylender built into right hand engine casing, not the 9** style one by sprocket cover.

You could adjust span with that screw but the wifes old 600 monster was the same, we just learnt to nip it into neutral before we stopped

Age

[Paul James]

[/quote]
,there should'nt be any reason to remove the resin from the clutch lever screw,...its there for a reason! [/quote]

It sets the timing of the piston in the cylinder and allows it to move the correct amount to open up the port to the fluid reservoir and allow the pressure in the system to balance.

I know this from bitter experience of a slipping clutch caused by the screw being in the wrong place :-(