Clutch replacement - friction plates only or both?

[Beancounter]

I'd put the original clutch lever back on (if you have it). Then go for a ride and see if it still slips.

If it doesn't then you need to fork for some premium levers (or work out where to Dremel the cheapies).

Daft question, how do cheap levers cause the clutch to slip (I assume slip is the same as drag?)

[Yorick]

Sounds a bit like the clutch is dragging, you've already tried adjusting the lever, right?

Yep, well partially. Tried setting the free play at the lever and it makes no difference to the problem. Have adjusted the cable at the clutch casing end but not had a chance to ride the bike yet, hoping to do that later this evening.

It'll be a hydraulic clutch on a Ducati.

Just need to make sure the lever isn't applying pressure to the clutch master cylinder push rod when not pulled.

If it's got aftermarket Chinese levers they sometimes do it.

Cable clutch on this one

KFB knows fack all

[Sadlonelygit]

Check these too!

20240814_172507.png (1.34 MiB) Viewed 447 times

[Beancounter]

Check these too!
20240814_172507.png

Out of curiosity, what are "these"?

[Rockburner]

Check these too!
20240814_172507.png

Out of curiosity, what are "these"?

to my mind.... (and obviously I'm possibly completely wrong), that photo is of a completely knackered clutch basket: the notches worn into the gates will prevent the plates moving apart: the edges of the gates should be flat, not ridged.

unless of course I'm completely wrong, and the notches are there to hold the plates firmly together when under load?

Like I say - I'm not that up on the mechanical cleverness of modern clutches.

[KungFooBob]

Yup, notches caused by vibrating plates, it's mainly a problem on dry clutches... Like older sporty Ducatis.

If a Ducati sounds like a bag of nails at a standstill it's got a dry clutch.

[Sadlonelygit]

Check these too!
20240814_172507.png

Out of curiosity, what are "these"?

That's the bit of your outer clutch basket that the friction plates slide along.
Smooth is good, picture shows a fubar'd basket

[Beancounter]

Outer clutch basket is fine, no notches.

Friction plate standard is 2.8mm, service limit is 2.6mm. All of our friction plates are between 2.3mm and 2.5mm.

The only place I can find just friction plates is eBay and whilst they're cheap at £90 they are unbranded and from China so will take a few weeks to get here. Seems like false economy so looks like £230 from the Ducati dealer.

My Caponord also decided now was a good time to run out of electricity, in the Blackwall Tunnel of all places, so need to order a new reg/rec for that. Similar debate on the various prices between £20 and £130.