M695 clutch questions

[cencalal]

An article-    http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ducati-monster-620-1500-streetbike-surgery-mc-garage   -from 2010 on improving the M620 suggests that an aftermarket clutch slave cyl will give a greater range of engagement at the lever, improving the on/off, too far from the bar action of the stock lever.  Can anyone confirm this?  The M620 and M695 apparently share the same APTC clutch...

The cylinder they recommend is from Evoluzione Cyclesports whose website no longer exists.  But would you expect a greater range of engagement from a larger or smaller diameter slave cyl?  Probably not woth the money, since the APTC clutch doesn't need a lighter lever pull,  but if a used one came up it my be worth a try for a better lever feel...

Thanks

[Howie]

Pointless on an APTC clutch, IMO, and close to pointless on a 620 with a conventional clutch.  The issue with the bigger engine Monsters for most people was lever effort.  Bigger bore slave reduces effort.  Yes, friction zone is expanded since travel is increased, but sometimes the trade off is clutch drag, making it difficult finding neutral at a stop and possible difficult shifting.

[koko64]

+1.  It can be hit and miss. As Howie said, clutch drag and too abrupt engagement too early can occur. Its getting the right relative master cylinder/slave cylinder bore sizes that's the trick. The forum sponsors have various brands of aftermarket slave cylinders. The bigger bore slave cylinders give earlier engagement. There are different bore sizes of different brands depending on your preference. Throw in the characteristics of the clutch and you have tunable options and also many traps.
Sometimes the right shaped adjustable lever is all you need.
Try the search function for views on different brands and lever effort, lever throw/engagement, etc.

[stopintime]

In my experience, the trouble with the APTC, is that it engages much more abrupt at higher revs than at lower - it's the nature/flip side of the 'slipper' function. Following that thought... the engagement control is maybe more about throttle control.

I bought a 29 mm from YoYoDyne (stock is 26) and it helps. However, again IME, the real friction zone is much greater than the short zone where 90% happens. My 29 conversion required very exact fine tuning of the free play to allow full disengagement without slipping.

I believe you can still get 28, 29, 30 and 32. I would advice against 30 and 32.

[BK_856er]

Adjustable levers can make a big difference in the overall feel.  They won't affect the short friction zone, but you can at least position it in a place that works best for you, and that can make all the difference.  I have some CRG levers on my M695 and like them a lot.  I agree with the others that a different slave and less force could be a misfit on the APTC.

BK

[cencalal]

Thanks to all on this one - adjustable reach levers sounds like the way to go, especially since the stock Brembos are sort of ugly.