Speedy-Moto Clutch Cover - Ducati.ms

Road Scholar · Aug 13th, 2008, 6:33 pm

Last night I installed a Speed-Moto clutch cover (pressure plate) and stainless steel spring and retainer bits, all torqued to proper spec.

This morning, on a very rare dry day in New England, on my way to where I consult in Lexington, I noticed that clutch engagement was not smooth and did not get any better. The installation was very straight forward (I think?).

The machine has 1100 miles on it, the stock clutch was as good as I'd expect.

What did I miss while installing the Speedy-Moto pressure plate and springs?

RS

STICKER · Aug 13th, 2008, 6:39 pm

I am pretty sure the same thing happened to me although it is an easy fix!!! First take off the pressuru plate and look at the backside of it. It should have a "dot" engraved in the metal on one of the arms. This dot has to line up with the slot on the gray clutch plate behind were the pressure plate mounts. My clutch seemed to be slipping before the fix. Hope I explained it well enough for you, take care.

georound · Aug 13th, 2008, 6:42 pm

You should make sure that the clearance around the perimeter of the plate is the same or else juggle the springs. Also, did you put the mark hole next to the mark on the spring tower? (may be on the hub as I can't find a picture easily) Here's a link to a great thread showing how to change the pressure plate. Link

I stole this from an ebay listing:

5. Install the pressure plate, making sure that if your bike has a dot, arrow, or notch marked by the factory, they must line up for proper function of the pressure plate. These marks are on some models but not all of them. The marks are on the clutch hub and pressure plate. Also, be sure to check the pressure plate along with the backing plate (the two surfaces the friction plates touch) for wear and flatness. An uneven or worn surface can ruin your clutch.

6. When installing the clutch springs (coil or diaphragm), visually inspect your springs for uniformity and tension. Check your service manual for spring length. Weak springs can cause slipping - especially at high R.P.M. Check to make sure your release mechanisms, whether they are lever, cam, push-rod, or hydraulic types, are properly working and do not show excessive wear. This can cause improper clutch adjustment, dragging, hard to find neutral, or hard shifting problems.

wicky69 · Aug 13th, 2008, 6:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by georound

You should make sure that the clearance around the perimeter of the plate is the same or else juggle the springs. Also, did you put the mark hole next to the mark on the spring tower? (may be on the hub as I can't find a picture easily) Here's a link to a great thread showing how to change the pressure plate. Link

I stole this from an ebay listing:

5. Install the pressure plate, making sure that if your bike has a dot, arrow, or notch marked by the factory, they must line up for proper function of the pressure plate. These marks are on some models but not all of them. The marks are on the clutch hub and pressure plate. Also, be sure to check the pressure plate along with the backing plate (the two surfaces the friction plates touch) for wear and flatness. An uneven or worn surface can ruin your clutch.

6. When installing the clutch springs (coil or diaphragm), visually inspect your springs for uniformity and tension. Check your service manual for spring length. Weak springs can cause slipping - especially at high R.P.M. Check to make sure your release mechanisms, whether they are lever, cam, push-rod, or hydraulic types, are properly working and do not show excessive wear. This can cause improper clutch adjustment, dragging, hard to find neutral, or hard shifting problems.

Glad you brought this up. What if you don't have such markings? I don't - or at least i can't find any. (I have an MPL slipper clutch assembly)
What is the purpose of this alignment and the specific consequence of not achieving it?

Cheers,
Mike

Patriots1 · Aug 13th, 2008, 7:43 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by STICKER

I am pretty sure the same thing happened to me although it is an easy fix!!! First take off the pressuru plate and look at the backside of it. It should have a "dot" engraved in the metal on one of the arms. This dot has to line up with the slot on the gray clutch plate behind were the pressure plate mounts. My clutch seemed to be slipping before the fix. Hope I explained it well enough for you, take care.

same thing happened to me when I installed my pressure plate. I had to look real closely before I found the dot. I remember it being really hard to spot.

georound · Aug 13th, 2008, 7:55 pm

Try this from the manual:
Fit the pressure plate (12) so that the mark etched at the end of one of the drum pins is lined up with the mark on the edge of the pressure plate hole.

wicky69 · Aug 13th, 2008, 8:12 pm

It's possible that I may have missed the dot in the pressure plate (if it's on the back side)... but I don't have a slot in any of the pins/posts either!?? I have noticed pretty deep indents along the length of the posts though... maybe that answers my question about the consequences??

Road Scholar · Aug 13th, 2008, 9:25 pm

I pulled the cover off the clutch.

One of the posts (that is part of the clutch basket) that accepts the spring and retaining screws (through the cover) has a hash mark on it, it isn't easy to see unless you are looking for.

On the Speedy-Moto cover (pressure plate) one of the 6 holes that fit over these posts has TWO hash marks on it (they all have one). If you line up the hole on the cover, that has two hash marks with the post that has a single has mark you are there.

I went for a quick ride and was amazed at how well the clutch hooked up and how much easier (like stock) the lever pull was.

STICKER: You got the brass ring on this one, nailed it good. Next time you are in the Boston area, look me up, your money is no good around here!

The instructions that came with the Speedy-Moto cover said all the right things (although not nearly as clear as STICKER), but the pictures were of low quality and the one with the hash marks was on the fold which blurred when the 600 DPI (or less) print head spit it out.

Thanks to all that responded, this knowledge base is great!!!

STICKER · Aug 14th, 2008, 4:45 am

Glad to help out. When I put mine in the first time I thought my clutch was burning up because it actually had that smell plus the rpm's would shoot up. But after being installed correctly, what a difference!

wicky69 · Aug 14th, 2008, 9:22 am

I'm glad you fixed your problem... but was it Sticker's advice or Georounds... or were they the same thing (slot in clutch plate or pins)?
Either way, I'm still looking for answers. I took my clutch apart again last night and I'm buggered if I could find any distinguishing marks anywhere. I also couldn't, for the life of me, figure out why it should make any difference which position the pressure plate went on. I can only assume that in my type of clutch, it doesn't matter. But why would it be different to the stock one or any other? Can anyone put my mind at rest?