Issues after accident

[StephenC]

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice.  Before Christmas I had a (very) low speed crash - I basically dropped the bike on top of me turning at a junction.  I have been off the road since then due to a broken arm and then being overseas.  Today was the first day I have put the bike back on the road and I have discovered a few issues.

Initially I thought the damage to the bike was just a scratched mirror, a snapped gear shift toe-peg and a bent clutch lever adjuster.  I replaced the mirror and gear toe-peg and haven't worried about the lever as the span is already set for me.

When riding today I noticed that it is almost impossible to put the bike into neutral, whilst the engine is running.  If I kill the ignition it goes in easily - without even using the clutch.  With the bike up on a paddock stand I have also noticed that the rear wheel slowly spins in first gear, despite the clutch lever being fully pulled in.  If I have the bike properly on the ground it does not try to pull away, with the clutch in, so this may be normal and I just haven't paid attention to it before.  Otherwise the bike seems to be running fine and jumping between gears seems normal.  I could be imagining it but it does feel like there is not as much resistance to the clutch lever as before.

I can see no visible damage to the clutch slave, gear selector or side case.  Any ideas what I may have done to it?  Does it just need riding back in?  I have it booked in to my usual mechanic, but he is very busy so it will be a few weeks before he can get to it.

Thanks

[ducpainter]

Try bleeding the clutch. It might have gotten some air in the system due to being on its' side.

[Howie]

 If bleeding doesn't help is it possible the clutch lever is bent in such a way that it touches the grip too soon?  If the lever is adjustable try adjusting for more range. 

[He Man]

if you crash hard enough, the dog arm inside the case can be misaligned making it difficult to shift and find neutral, but it wouldn't be impossible to shift as you stated.

[StephenC]

Thanks.

A clutch bleed I can probably manage - when I have the time.
Adjusting the lever - no doable without replacing them.  I have been debating a switch to ASV shorties, but nervous that they wouldn't give the leverage on the clutch side.  Now I guess I have more incentive.
Dog arm - ?.  I guess that is one for the mechanic!

[Howie]

the fact that you can shift into neutral without the bike running but not with makes me think clutch drag (incomplete disengagement of the clutch).  Oh, also common on wet clutch Ducatis when cold.

[StephenC]

Mines a dry clutch though.

I had it up on the stand again today, to fix a broken rear indicator. Things seemed to be working better again. I think I'll still get a proper mechanic, as opposed to me, have a look. Better safe than sorry.

[Howie]

Oh, dry.  Still sounds like clutch drag.  Did you try bleeding yet?

[StephenC]

Not yet. I had to take the tail apart to fix the blinker, so haven't had time. It's a pretty busy few weeks, so it may take me a while. What you are saying makes sense though, I could see air going into the circuit with the bike sideways.

[koko64]

Try bleeding the clutch. It might have gotten some air in the system due to being on its' side.

First thing to try for sure.

[StephenC]

On the agenda for tomorrow.

[StephenC]

You guys were right. It just needed a clutch bleed. Now I'm back to my usual heavy, but working, clutch. I did the brakes, whilst I was at it. You've saved me a trip to the mechanic, so thank you.

[kokis]

Well, problem might come back.
Had the same issue. bleeded it 100 times.
Looks like slave cylinder is damaged.
Managed to put some piece of flat metal under slave cylinder to ensure it press what it have to press firmly.

sorry for bad english.
hello dmf oldies.

[DarkMonster620]

You guys were right. It just needed a clutch bleed. Now I'm back to my usual heavy, but working, clutch. I did the brakes, whilst I was at it. You've saved me a trip to the mechanic, so thank you.

So, are beers cold?

[StephenC]

Sure thing. What time suits?