Clutch noise from full stop to first acceleration.

[tkl999]

Hey All,

So i noticed lately that my bike makes a squeal when I start the bike from a full stop at like a signal light. Right when I accelerate and release the clutch, before it is fully engaged the clutch seems to make a noise. This is my first dry clutch bike, is this normal? I dont think I'm riding the clutch too much because it will fully engage within 1-2 seconds. I did put in a new pressure plate a few months ago, maybe this might be the cause?

Thanks!

[johnchypermotard]

slight squeaks from ducati dry clutches are fairly normal. are you running an open clutch cover?

if the squealing is really bothering you, the simple fix is to take the clutch cover off (if you are running a closed cover) and blow some compressed air into the clutch pack while the bike is running. this will blow out pretty much all the friction pad dust from the pack.

if that does not work for you, the next easiest/cheapest solution is to take the clutch pack apart, then use some brake cleaner to clean off the glaze/dust from the plates.

fwiw, i have found that if i run an open clutch cover on my dry clutch ducs, they don't tend to have as much friction pad dust build up in the clutch pack, and hence, don't squeak until the clutch pack is starting to really wear.

[NikMusolino]

Originally Posted by johnchypermotard

take the clutch pack apart, then use some brake cleaner to clean off the glaze/dust from the plates.

There is some controversy there... I've read brake parts cleaner leaves a residue that accelerates glazing of friction materials, but then again, many learned wrenches have sworn by brake parts cleaner. Has anybody used Simple Green on their clutch pack?

[johnchypermotard]

Originally Posted by NikMusolino

There is some controversy there... I've read brake parts cleaner leaves a residue that accelerates glazing of friction materials, but then again, many learned wrenches have sworn by brake parts cleaner. Has anybody used Simple Green on their clutch pack?

i would bet that any residue that brake cleaner would leave behind is likely a result of whatever one uses to wipe it off. e.g.: paper towels have a bunch of crap in them, and can leave stuff behind. a cotton or fabric towel can leave crap behind if it was washed using laundry detergent.

fwiw, i use plain old newspaper when cleaning the brake cleaner of the clutch pack or brake rotors.

have never used simple green ... so don't know how that would work.

[tkl999]

Originally Posted by johnchypermotard

slight squeaks from ducati dry clutches are fairly normal. are you running an open clutch cover?

if the squealing is really bothering you, the simple fix is to take the clutch cover off (if you are running a closed cover) and blow some compressed air into the clutch pack while the bike is running. this will blow out pretty much all the friction pad dust from the pack.

if that does not work for you, the next easiest/cheapest solution is to take the clutch pack apart, then use some brake cleaner to clean off the glaze/dust from the plates.

fwiw, i have found that if i run an open clutch cover on my dry clutch ducs, they don't tend to have as much friction pad dust build up in the clutch pack, and hence, don't squeak until the clutch pack is starting to really wear.

Thanks for the response John. I am running an open clutch cover. The squealing is only bothering me because I thought there was something wrong with the bike. I guess I'll spend some time taking apart the clutch pack when I get a chance and clean it up.

[freezer16801]

I never heard squeeling. Some pressure plates need to be mounted a certain way. I believe a notch needs to be aligned with a mark on the clutch housing. Maybe that is part of the issue?

[08hyper]

Originally Posted by 08hyper

For some of you that are experiencing a grabby or groaning/squealing clutch,
I have the fix, especially if you have a enclosed cover.

The clutch plates in time will get grungy & sticky with use, which will cause noise, and grabbiness, and if you are a track day rider, hard rider, or just slip the clutch alot in traffic, you may have overheated the clutch, which can take the tension out of your convex steel plate in your clutch pack.

Buy a new convex steel plate from Ducati, part# 19010241A you may have to order this, as many dealers don't even know it exists, cost about ten bucks.

So here's the fix, take off the screws, springs, and pressure plate, remove all the steel & friction plates, (KEEP THEM IN THE EXACT ORDER THAT YOU TOOK THEM OFF!) as the pack has "mated" to each other. At your local auto parts store get a couple cans of "brake clean spray" and one at a time spray the plates & wipe them down, remembering to keep them in order, now reinstall.

Start with the 2 steel plates first, then 1 friction, then install the NEW convex steel plate, tossing out the old one, the convex plate will have a small punch mark on one of the teeth, (hard to see, but its there) this punch mark faces out, towards you. The convex plate should be the 3rd steel plate from the bottom, or you did something WRONG! Now just finish up the rest of the plates in the order you took them off.

Your clutch should be good as new, and if you take apart the clutch pack, once in a while, and spray her down with the brake clean, you'll get the max life out of you clutch! Happy clutching! Aloha Alex

from an old post of mine, still applies Aloha Alex

**something new to add, in my last Barnett clutch pack, some of the friction material started to come off, never happened before, so I contacted Barnett & most likely they will be sending me a new pack, but they also said you should never put any chemical on the plates, just wipe them down, not sure how that will get them clean, but I might try some alcohol, or simple green, or something that is not as strong as my favorite cleaner "brakeclean" Aloha Alex

[johnchypermotard]

Originally Posted by 08hyper

from an old post of mine, still applies Aloha Alex

**something new to add, in my last Barnett clutch pack, some of the friction material started to come off, never happened before, so I contacted Barnett & most likely they will be sending me a new pack, but they also said you should never put any chemical on the plates, just wipe them down, not sure how that will get them clean, but I might try some alcohol, or simple green, or something that is not as strong as my favorite cleaner "brakeclean" Aloha Alex

good additional view points ... all i am saying is i have always used brake cleaner, as nichols recommended it to me a long time ago ... never had any issues.

the other comment i will add, when you have the clutch pack apart and are inspecting each plate for wear, take a close look at the "wave" style thinnest plate (the ones without friction material on them). lay this thinnest plate on a true flat surface (like a glass table top, or a measuring table if you have access to a shop), and check the plate to see it still has the wave to its shape. if it has gone "flat", order a new wave plate from your local ducati dealership. they are not expensive, should be about $5 each.

[08hyper]

Originally Posted by johnchypermotard

good additional view points ... all i am saying is i have always used brake cleaner, as nichols recommended it to me a long time ago ... never had any issues.

the other comment i will add, when you have the clutch pack apart and are inspecting each plate for wear, take a close look at the "wave" style thinnest plate (the ones without friction material on them). lay this thinnest plate on a true flat surface (like a glass table top, or a measuring table if you have access to a shop), and check the plate to see it still has the wave to its shape. if it has gone "flat", order a new wave plate from your local ducati dealership. they are not expensive, should be about $5 each.

For Forum members not familiar about Barnett clutches, they use a "wave" style steel plate, where Ducati uses a convex/concave style steel plate, they are both "spring" plates, just different styles, and like JohnC says when they loose the "spring" tension it should be replaced. Aloha Alex

[johnchypermotard]

Originally Posted by 08hyper

For Forum members not familiar about Barnett clutches, they use a "wave" style steel plate, where Ducati uses a convex/concave style steel plate, they are both "spring" plates, just different styles, and like JohnC says when they loose the "spring" tension it should be replaced. Aloha Alex

ya ... what alex sez!