I gave the bike a quick wash this afternoon and while it was on the paddock stand I thought I would warm her up to shake off any nasty water. As I had lubed the chain after a ride last week I thought I would put it in gear and spin it up but I noticed that the back wheel was still spinning at 8mph with the clutch in....So I popped it off the stand and with it in gear, rocked it back and fourth a bit and yep, clutch is stuck solid. I thought simples first so bled the clutch and found a few bubbles but it still did it. Bugger. I then noticed a load of fluid weeping from the master cylinder dust cover... double bugger! I wiped it off and it hasnt leaked since so im thinking it was fluid I missed when I took the pipe off the nipple. Anyway, sat on it I thought I would see what would happen with it running and in gear..... oh eck.... With the engine running it did creep quite a bit and the engine sounded like it was laboring so I thought it was time to investigate further. As soon as started to undo the cover bolts what looked like water ran down from the bottom and at this point I was suspecting the seal had gone and with the cover off there was quite a bit inside. I am always very careful when washing the bike but im pretty sure it was water as the lever still works as normal and the fluid level hasnt dropped. Before anyone asks, there is no water in the oil. I removed the pressure plate and then the first clutch plates and found they were stuck together in small groups of 3-5 (inc steels). They pulled apart and I gave them a clean with some of Wurths finest and the clutch now works as it should. The basket is starting to look a bit battered so im guessing its basket and plates time soon but is this sticking normal? I know the plates can get stuck in the groves in the basket etc but would that cause it to overheat and stick maybe? Just curious as Ive not had to replace one yet and would like to get a bit more out of it as it doesnt slip, or rater didnt before I stripped it. :Nailbiting: Pictures to follow as the gp is on....
The sticking is nothing unusual on a dry open clutch, especially if washed and left very light rust just sticks the plates together, I suppose water on its own might lock them too but that's not happened to me. When you say Wurths I'm guessing you are referring to cleaner not lube. 5 minute job to whip off the cover pull out the plates with a magnet (don't mix them up) clean and put back in order and all should be well. Its happened to me a couple of times usually after the bike has been laid up John
Remove, clean & replace. Or; Grabby, shreiking, clutch and how I cured it - Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum
Seeing as it gets parked for 5-6mths of the year in a damp and cold garage im going with the simple sticking plates option.
If/when I start mine in the winter I always give the clutch lever a couple of pulls. Same after a wash. ompus:
