Clutch Rattle Character Levels

[RIDUX]

Hey all...

Just picked up my 2nd Duc....a 2000 ST2 with 6700 miles.  The PO had ins  talled what I think is a Cycle Cat pressure plate, and a Ducati brand open clutch cover.  My previous Duc was a 1995 900ss with the OEM plate and the stock closed cover.  I notice a lot more clutch rattle with the new bike, and obviously expected as much with the open cover.  My question is, should I expect to hear the clutch rattle when i am in motion, with the clutch disengaged.  I notice it as I roll off the throttle, when there is no load on the clutch.  It stops if I continue to roll off and engine braking begins, or if I roll back on.  I just want to know if this part of the normal "character" or if there is an adjustment issue.  I didnt notice this sound with the past Duc, but it just might have been muffled by the closed cover.

Thanks

[Stripes]

Maybe we should swap clutch covers!

[ConPilot1]

I watched a guy on a fairly new GT1000 pull out of a dealers lot once and I thought there was something desperately wrong with that bike.

[Cablebandit]

There was a 1st Gen Multistrada at Sparta that sounded like a coffee can full of bolts driving around the parking lot.



Loud clutches save lives.  For the record so do loud fans.  

[james_g]

You shouldn't hear it in motion. It's definitely an adjustment issue but it probably won't hurt the bike but it might wear out the clutch faster. Most guys simply throw on a new pressure plate and open clutch cover and call it good without going through the work of adjusting it.

james

[atadaskew]

There was a 1st Gen Multistrada at Sparta that sounded like a coffee can full of bolts driving around the parking lot.

Mine sounds like two toasters humping.

[RIDUX]

You shouldn't hear it in motion. It's definitely an adjustment issue but it probably won't hurt the bike but it might wear out the clutch faster. Most guys simply throw on a new pressure plate and open clutch cover and call it good without going through the work of adjusting it.

james

Thanks James...guess I'll have to pull it apart and check the plate thicknesses.  The assumption here is that the clutch is never fully disengaging if I hear it in motion, due to bad adjustment at the lever, worn plates or a combination of both.  I dont remember a way to adjust the clutch otherwise.

[james_g]

You know, I can't remember how to adjust it. They really aren't supposed to be that noisy. One thing that I really like about Ducs is that you can really set the clutch up the way you want it.

I really miss my SS and wish I had kept it. I like those ST2s a lot as well though and you'll really enjoy that bike.

james

[SprintRSrider]

Thanks James...guess I'll have to pull it apart and check the plate thicknesses.  The assumption here is that the clutch is never fully disengaging if I hear it in motion, due to bad adjustment at the lever, worn plates or a combination of both.  I dont remember a way to adjust the clutch otherwise.

How dark is the clutch fluid?  If I may humbly suggest, you're thinking about it the wrong way, the clutch is disengaged with the lever pulled, the clutch is engaged when you're in motion.  It's not making noise because it's out of "adjustment", there is no adjustment other than at the lever.  If it's making noise while in motion it's more than likely the clutch plates rattling in the basket.  Does it do it under accel, or deccel or steady state cruising?  Do you have free play at the lever?  If not the clutch could technically still be partially disengaged, but then I'd expect the clutch to slip... Maybe you should just swap covers with Stripes....  the clutch assy is much louder when it's open...

[james_g]

But it's not necessarily supposed to be really loud.

Here's some good posts on clutch adjustment:

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/40-sport-touring/108153-st2-clutch-rebuild-success-lessons-learned.html

http://www.ducati-superbikes.com/index.php/topic/11335-quiet-clutch-modification-for-dry-clutch-ducati/

If it's rattling too much then that probably means that the plates aren't fitting in the basket as well as they should.

james

[Stripes]

I love the "bag of hammers" sound that Ducati's dry cluthches have! That's why I want an open cover. The exhaust note & clutch is what really gives Ducati that distinct sound.  

[atadaskew]

I love the "bag of hammers" sound that Ducati's dry cluthches have! That's why I want an open cover.

Mine sounds like a chronic masturbator with a pocket full of nickels.

[Stripes]

Mine sounds like a chronic masturbator with a pocket full of nickels.

  That's funny right there! Good analogy!

[SprintRSrider]

Hey all...

Just picked up my 2nd Duc....a 2000 ST2 with 6700 miles.  The PO had ins  talled what I think is a Cycle Cat pressure plate, and a Ducati brand open clutch cover.  My previous Duc was a 1995 900ss with the OEM plate and the stock closed cover.  I notice a lot more clutch rattle with the new bike, and obviously expected as much with the open cover.  My question is, should I expect to hear the clutch rattle when i am in motion, with the clutch disengaged.  I notice it as I roll off the throttle, when there is no load on the clutch.  It stops if I continue to roll off and engine braking begins, or if I roll back on.  I just want to know if this part of the normal "character" or if there is an adjustment issue.  I didnt notice this sound with the past Duc, but it just might have been muffled by the closed cover.

Thanks

So, after going and reading your initial post again, your saying that you're hearing clutch noise as you start to enter the state where the clutch is becoming unloaded from acceleration and loading from engine braking?  This is completely normal!  What is occurring is, as each cylinder comes up on compression, the engine starts to slow (slightly), once past TDC, the crankshaft starts to accelerate (slowly) again.  When the clutch is unloaded of engine force or engine braking, this oscillation allows the clutch plates to float in the clutch basket and basically smack back and forth.  It should sound somewhat similar to the clutch rattle at idle.  I'm sure that there is some wear on both the fiber plates and the basket, but with only 6700 miles, it should be fairly minimal.  What you got right there is character sir!

[axelwik]

I wouldn't worry too much. If it gets excessive take the pressure plate off (loosen all the spring bolts at the same time - turn one a bit, then the opposite a little bit, etc.). After you get it off take a look at the fiber plate tabs. Easy way to get the clutch pack out is with a small mechanic's magnet (if they're the original steel ones). If they're hammered into oblivion with large gaps between them and the basket it's probably time for new fiber plates. If you still have the stock steel basket, get steel fiber plates. The dealer should be able to sell you fiber plates. If the non-fiber steels look blue, heat-damaged, or warped then it's time for a whole new clutch pack. Change the throwout bearing while you have it apart and change the O-rings on the rod. Take the old one out and bring it to your local bearing supply house. You should be able to get one for $4 to $8.

[RIDUX]

So since it's chilly up here, i pulled apart to inspect the clutch pack.  Does anyone have the spec on the min thickness of the friction plates and the min length of the springs for the 2000 ST2?  Haven't gotten my hand on a service manual for the bike yet.  

[RIDUX]

I guess a simpler question would be...are the clutch specs the same as for the 900ss motor?  That manual I have.

[SprintRSrider]

They should be the same.  I'm not 100% certain though...

[james_g]

I don't think they are because they use two different motors. But you would need to verify that for certain.

james

[SprintRSrider]

Barnett lists the same part number for a clutch kit for '95 900SS and a 2000 ST2.  The kit also fits 748, ST3, ST4S, 999 and a lot of other units in between. Use the specs you have, you'll be fine.  The only real differences in those engines is displacement, cam profiles and the fact that the ST2 is fuel injected.