clutch seizes after washing - Ducati.ms

rwoo56 · May 25th, 2008, 8:00 am

this is the 2nd time this has happened. after i wash my bike, if i put the bike in first gear, i cannot "roll" the bike if i pull the clutch lever in. after forcing it a bit, it "frees up" and it's fine. the first time it happened, the bike would stall as i put the bike in gear (started in neutral) and then finally it "freed up" and was fine. this time i pushed it around in gear with clutch pulled in to "loosen" it up first. WTF?

(thanks)

dukepilot · May 25th, 2008, 9:53 am

You've got a dry clutch, water will do bad things to it. Don't wash your bike, just wipe it down.

AXE · May 25th, 2008, 10:01 am

If you have an open clutch cover, it is gonna get wet and rust. I recommend riding for a few minutes after a wash. I have had this happen with the brake pads on my FZ1 too. They rust to the rotor and you really have to push hard to get them loose.

Out!

george_v · May 25th, 2008, 1:29 pm

i had exactly the same problem once. After a wash it wouldnt rol no matter what. The paradox is that right after the washing was done it worked fine but when tried to ride on an incline road then the clutch wouldnt give any motion whatsover. Was fine the next day though...

Ferrell75002 · May 25th, 2008, 6:41 pm

So, open clutch = no water ? I have asked that question maybe here or on another ducati site and I was told it isn't a problem, that once you start the bike the clutch will spin and shoot the water right out. Now, I question, if I want to invest in another open clutch cover.
F-

08hyper · May 25th, 2008, 8:30 pm

I'm not sure why your having the clutch sticking problem, its probley just
DIRTY & greasy, I quarter car wash my bike all the time with NO problems,
in fact I blast the clutch thru the open clutch cover, to clean it, the stock
clutch is sintered metal so water should not affect it, just take your clutch
apart and spray it with "BRAKE CLEAN" to remove any greasy residue and
the clutch should work good as new!

Aloha Alex

**BillyD** · May 25th, 2008, 10:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08hyper

I'm not sure why your having the clutch sticking problem, its probley just
DIRTY & greasy, I quarter car wash my bike all the time with NO problems,
in fact I blast the clutch thru the open clutch cover, to clean it, the stock
clutch is sintered metal so water should not affect it, just take your clutch
apart and spray it with "BRAKE CLEAN" to remove any greasy residue and
the clutch should work good as new!

Aloha Alex

The key difference is probably that you ride the bike home after the $0.25 (x8) car wash; as opposed to washing it in the driveway before putting it away in the garage.

With that said, however, I'm with DukePilot, wiping it down is better than power washing it.

08hyper · May 25th, 2008, 11:12 pm

Everyone who washes their bikes should always ride the bike to help dry the "hidden" water, to dry the brakes, clutch, etc,etc, Aloha Alex

MarksFriggin · May 26th, 2008, 4:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08hyper

Everyone who washes their bikes should always ride the bike to help dry the "hidden" water, to dry the brakes, clutch, etc,etc, Aloha Alex

I do that with my bikes and with my car.

BigHoss · May 26th, 2008, 4:58 am

I have used compressed air while the clutch is spining. I just pull the lever and blow the air over the clutch till no more water come out...so far so good.