Clutch plates rust? - Ducati.ms

DME3 · Nov 15th, 2011, 12:34 pm

When I put my Superlight in gear and hold in the clutch I can't move the rear wheel. It seems as if the clutch isn't activated, but I can see the cluth move out when I pull the lever.

Could this be the clutch plates rusted to one another?
If so, what can I do to fix this?

The bike is stalled in a garage, but it is quite cold and humid in there. Same temperature as it is outside... cold and foggy the last couple of days. Bike hasn't started in about 2 months.

Or should I look somewhere else?

snlsmith · Nov 15th, 2011, 1:28 pm

What happens when it is in Neutral?

TassieDave · Nov 16th, 2011, 1:16 am

I got caught once - washed the bike then put it away damp. A couple of weeks later when I went to take it out for a ride it was fine in neutral but stalled as soon as I tried to put it in gear.

Clutch plates had stuck together. Just kept pumping the lever in and out and it freed itself. Others (I think) have taken the plates out then re-installed - but that takes too long.

I now go for a short ride after it's been washed.

bang76 · Nov 16th, 2011, 2:07 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TassieDave

Others (I think) have taken the plates out then re-installed - but that takes too long.

Not being cocky, but: what ? If the plates are rusted together take it apart for inspection. It takes 10min (not too long I think)

DME3 · Nov 16th, 2011, 2:41 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by snlsmith

What happens when it is in Neutral?

No problems in neutral. TassieDave's story seems to fit my issue but the plates don't free themself by pumping the lever.

I'll get the plates out this weekend for cleaning and inspection.

First time fidling with the clutch, but according to the Haynes manual I don't need any sort of clutch tool to get the plates out.

TassieDave · Nov 16th, 2011, 2:51 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bang76

Not being cocky, but: what ? If the plates are rusted together take it apart for inspection. It takes 10min (not too long I think)

Fair call.

I suppose if you can see the pressure plate move, the cover is either off or it's an an open cover. And sitting idle for a couple of months is a bit different to a couple of weeks.

DME3 · Nov 16th, 2011, 3:44 am

Open cover indeed

I'll use a closed one for winter storage, hoping that will keep damp out.

Punch · Nov 16th, 2011, 6:47 am

Commenting on a few posts in one hit.

Pulling the clutch lever in just lifts the pressure plate. This simply takes the spring pressure off the driven and drive plates. So honestly this will not separate the plates at all. It, in normal practice, pulling the clutch lever lets the drive plates spin and the driven plates not be driven.

I know from experience that if, with my very open cover, the plates get wet from rain, they probably swell up and even when the lever is pulled in, there is not enough lift to separate the swollen (thicker) plates.

When we go on rides where the bike will be parked outside in the rain, I just put a plastic bag over the open cover to stop rain/water getting in.

A short ride normally fixes the problem, but at first neutral is almost impossible to find and when stopped in first gear with the lever pulled in, the clutch plates are still trying to push the bike.

I would not worry too much about it. Just take it for a ride to clear it out.

**YellowDuck** · Nov 16th, 2011, 8:10 am

I can think of lots of dangerous and exciting ways to fix this!

For example, try starting it in gear with the clutch lever pulled in and the brakes on hard. The starter motor may free it. Of course, if it doesn't work you are in for a ride. Anyway, that is what I did when it happened to my Jeep. How different could it be?

Or, put it on the rear stand, get it running in first, then pull in the clutch and use the rear brake to stop the rear wheel. Also incredibly stupid and dangerous. So why not give it a try? Should make for an entertaining post for the rest of us to read tomorrow.

Or, you could just be a pussy about it and pull the clutch pack out....

DME3 · Nov 16th, 2011, 9:23 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowDuck

I can think of lots of dangerous and exciting ways to fix this!

For example, try starting it in gear with the clutch lever pulled in and the brakes on hard. The starter motor may free it. Of course, if it doesn't work you are in for a ride. Anyway, that is what I did when it happened to my Jeep. How different could it be?

Or, put it on the rear stand, get it running in first, then pull in the clutch and use the rear brake to stop the rear wheel. Also incredibly stupid and dangerous. So why not give it a try? Should make for an entertaining post for the rest of us to read tomorrow.

Or, you could just be a pussy about it and pull the clutch pack out....