Ducati Dry Clutch question . . . - Ducati.ms

2ducks · Jan 17th, 2006, 10:08 pm

Hello all,

I have an MH900e with a dry clutch and an open clutch cover. Recently, upon inspection, I noticed my clutch springs have rusted.
I purchased a Ducati red pressure plate but used the same bolts, same clutch spring and same clutch spring retainer that came stock with the bike.
What to do about the rust on the clutch spring?

Is there a clutch spring that doesn't rust?

Also, how is water entering the clutch basket while riding (rainy day, wet roads) going to affect the dry clutch? Do I need to take any pre-cautions? Do you have to do something to it after you come back from wet roads and parking?

Any tidbits would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Turbo · Jan 17th, 2006, 10:23 pm

If your clutch springs have rusted, just buy another set. They are not that expensive. You'll probably also get a new set of retainers with the springs as well, which will help to dress up your shiny new pressure plate.

Water won't get into the clutch plates while you're riding, no matter how heavy the rain or the surface water. It gets in there when you stop! In heavy rain and stop'n'go traffic, you'll find that water will get in and your plates will slip a little as you take off. I find I need to apply more revs to move off when the clutch is water logged. However, once you're moving again, all the water gets flung out and the clutch will behave like normal again.

There's nothing you can do to stop water getting into the plates when you're in wet, stop'n'go traffic, other than fit a sealed clutch cover. When I get home after a ride in heavy rain, I don't have to do anything with the clutch. I keep my ST in a garage and by the time I've parked under cover, all the water has been flung out. The residual heat of the engine then dries what little water may remain.

With an open cover, you need to be careful that you don't leave the clutch plates wet for too long! If you wash the bike, take it for a quick trip around a few blocks to fling the water out. Don't get too paranoid though! I tour many miles with my ST and I've parked in the rain overnight many times, without clutch issues.

nathanTX · Jan 18th, 2006, 12:05 am

Who rides an MH900e in the rain?! Kidding. Rusty springs aren't that uncommon. I've seen some aftermarket suppliers with supposedly rust resistant springs (stainless steel probably???). Easy replacement and not too expensive. Just search around a bit.

grendels_arm · Jan 18th, 2006, 1:59 am

Motowheels and any other place that sells pressure plates will sell springs that won't rust. Like $30.

I recently changed to a closed clutch cover for my track bike as sometimes it rains while sitting there or traveling. And there goes rain in the clutch. Even LT recommends to not run an open cover in Desmotimes 2nd edition due to rust occuring. But if every part in there is made of something that won't rust...

**SouthsideDuc** · Jan 18th, 2006, 3:35 am

Motowheels sells stainless springs.

Tony

DukeDesmo · Jan 18th, 2006, 6:32 am

I've seen these Stainless springs but then the edges of the clutch plates rust anyway, so I dismantle it all every so often and clean it all up with fine emery paper, Scotchbrite, WD-40 etc - gives me something to do on a rainy day!

Mines always at it's worst early spring after standing through the colder damp winter months in my Garage.

**amullo** · Jan 18th, 2006, 7:23 am

I had som rust on my old springs, but the new ones that came with clutch where either nickelplated or anodized. Stainless steel could be an option.

Or you can clean the old ones and maybe paint them or get them coated with something. Rubbercoating maybe? Kinda like the rubberized handles on some tools?

**st2lemans** · Jan 18th, 2006, 7:42 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthsideDuc

Motowheels sells stainless springs.

Tony

Does anyone sell softer springs?

Currently I'm using only 3 in my SS clutch, but I'd rather use 6 softer ones.

Tom

Shibbydevil · Jan 18th, 2006, 9:57 am

Wow, only three? I tried to run 4 on mine but experienced some slipping under heavy acceleration. I got the whole Barnett Clutch Kit with the springs, retainers, and discs, All of which I think are anodized or cad plated or something. Never had any rust on them. I had a set on a 93 900ss that were so corroded when I bought it they snapped off when I went to take em off. With a T-handle no less. That was fun. Just a word of warning to everyone. I dunno how long they were like that but it was definately rust that got them.

Ryan

**Rainman** · Jan 18th, 2006, 1:20 pm

Okay, I just did a whole lot of research on this very thing.

There are two sets of aftermarket springs.
I checked what was available through the resources here on our home site.
Click on technical tab above, go to resources.....

One set is stiffer gold plated (non-rusting) springs. Evoluzione and the likes carry those. Barnett has some gold plated (a yellowish tint to them. 19-25 dollars.
The other set is stainless. Non-rust there too. 25.00 there.

I bought a new open clutch cover, red anodized spring keepers, and the stainless springs.

If the pull is too hard, you might consider the slave replacement kit, and use all six springs.
Clutch engagment is still top notch, just less pull.
Less springs means more slippage, i.e. your clutch plates will wear faster.

I am still deciding on a pressure plate, since I want gold anodized, and they vary in price from 90 dollars to 250 dollars.

I spent some serious time into if the dynamics of the springs affected wear, was the rust harmful, what was available, etc....

Yes, rust does effect the spring.
Depending on HOW rusted it gets, the spring loses strength, and thus, plates are not engaged at the same pressure.
Again, I state, it takes TIME. But still it makes sense.

I decided if you are gonna show, make it functional AND pretty!