Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Supersports: SS / SuperSport / Supersport 950 > 750ss Clutch Slip

[gunner]

HI, I've got a 1994 750ss which I have owned from new. Its only done 8000 miles having not been used much for the last few years.

I've recently noticed a strange problem with the clutch (wet version). When the engine is warm, all free play at the lever disappears and the clutch starts slipping under acceleration.

The bike has been regulary serviced and fluids changed. I have stripped the master cylinder and can find nothing wrong. IM assuming there is a problem with the slave cylinder sticking?

Any advice gratefully received!

[antonye]

Might just be the plates have gone?

The 600SS bikes that are in the race series, mine included, have all suffered with their clutches, mainly through ham-fisted starts

A lot of them are just chucking an extra plate in, but you might want to renew them all, depending on your preference.

Get the plates out and see what they look like - if they're all blued and barely any meet on them then you'll need to replace the lot otherwise you might get away with just adding an extra one in.

[gunner]

I don't think the clutch plates are gone, the bike has only done 8000 miles of easy riding.

I think the problem is to do with the hydraulics, the main symptom is that the free play on the clutch lever is zero when hot.

I have bled the clutch and ensured the free play at the lever is correct but after the engine has warmed up the free play is zero and the clutch slips. Seems to be a problem related to hydraulics rather than plates. Will remove the clutch cover and see whats going on during the week.

[antonye]

There's a seal inside that may well have gone - look for the light brown goop on the inside of the clutch casing as this is a tell-tale sign.

[Derek]

Are you sure that the master cylinder piston is returning all the way with the lever released? If the screw on the lever is too far in the pistion won't come back far enough to uncover the bleed hole which allows the fluid to return to the reservoir. The system will then become pressurised causing the clutch to slip.

[Scooter916]

Yep Im with derek on this one sounds as though the lever or master cyl is not fully returning and not allowing the system to recuperate.??
Common problem with aftermarket(ebay) levers, Have u changed the lever recently??
remove the lever and under the rubber sleve at the master cyl there is a small spring these fall to bits at the thought of getting wet, This could also prevent full movement of the master cyl piston.
Hope we help ya out.
glyn

[gunner]

Still using the original lever, when this happened last year I bled the whole system and turned the lever adjuster right out. Eventualy after much jiggerypokery it was working, but now its happening again.

Will try loosening off the adjuster again and seeing if this helps.

[paynep]

If you are still stuck and are in the Farnham in Surrey, I'm Alton and have a spare clutch cover you can try.........

Cheers, Paul

[gunner]

Thanks for the offer, will let you know how I get on

[Edited on 16-8-2005 by gunner]