696 Clutch lever jacked up.

[Rizzo]

2009 696 Monster

I have about 1700 miles on the bike.

Coming home today I noticed an odd feeling in my clutch.

By the third intersection my clutch wouldn't even engage. It feels/sounds like something is wacked/sticking in my clutch lever. I was able to get the bike home by getting a running start and poping the lever. If I poped the lever at a standstill... it died or gave me one hell of a jerk... that's the only reason I did the running start.

I did wash the bike today and the spray was the most intense I have ever seen at a car wash...  I don't know that this would affect the assembly but I'll put it out there.

I can't even fathom that my clutch would be burnt out... especially knowing that it was working perfectly the ride out.

Up until this point I have had 0 problems.

It is still under warranty. Unfortunately I have moved from where I bought it and the nearest Ducati dealership is 6 hours away!!

Anyone think there is a chance I could take my bike into a regular shop and still get warranty work done?

[Speeddog]

You must go to a Ducati dealer to get warranty work covered.
An independent Duc shop could likely handle the work, but it would be on your dime.

Potentially 2x 12 hours on the road... that ain't free.

Whereabouts are you located?
Someone may have a good shop recommendation.

High pressure water isn't the best plan for washing a Duc, IMO.

[ungeheuer]

2009 696 Monster

I have about 1700 miles on the bike.

Coming home today I noticed an odd feeling in my clutch.

By the third intersection my clutch wouldn't even engage. It feels/sounds like something is wacked/sticking in my clutch lever. I was able to get the bike home by getting a running start and poping the lever. If I poped the lever at a standstill... it died or gave me one hell of a jerk... that's the only reason I did the running start.

I did wash the bike today and the spray was the most intense I have ever seen at a car wash...  I don't know that this would affect the assembly but I'll put it out there.

I can't even fathom that my clutch would be burnt out... especially knowing that it was working perfectly the ride out.

Up until this point I have had 0 problems.

It is still under warranty. Unfortunately I have moved from where I bought it and the nearest Ducati dealership is 6 hours away!!

Anyone think there is a chance I could take my bike into a regular shop and still get warranty work done?

OK first, there's NO WAY I'd ever clean my bike with a pressure cleaner.  Never ever.  Is it possible that the spray pressure was so intense that you dislodged the little acuater pin between clutch lever and the brake cylinder plunger??  

Standard levers or home fitted aftermarket ones?

I doubt that your clutch is "burned out" seems like for some reason its not disengaging....

I think that there's no chance that you could get warranty work done at other than an authorized dealer.  You could pay unauthorized skilled hands to take a look at it though......  Does the clutch lever feel all ...um... floppy or does it feel normal??

[Rizzo]

OK first, there's NO WAY I'd ever clean my bike with a pressure cleaner.  Never ever.  Is it possible that the spray pressure was so intense that you dislodged the little acuater pin between clutch lever and the brake cylinder plunger??  

Standard levers or home fitted aftermarket ones?

I doubt that your clutch is "burned out" seems like for some reason its not disengaging....

I think that there's no chance that you could get warranty work done at other than an authorized dealer.  You could pay unauthorized skilled hands to take a look at it though......  Does the clutch lever feel all ...um... floppy or does it feel normal??

The clutch lever does not feel normal... it feels a little sloppy, I don't know how to describe it but something definitely changed between when I parked it and when I got it home.

So... I shouldn't powerwash my bike... any reasons?

The dealer never told me about that....

Oh and the clutch is stock.

[Rizzo]

You must go to a Ducati dealer to get warranty work covered.
An independent Duc shop could likely handle the work, but it would be on your dime.

Potentially 2x 12 hours on the road... that ain't free.

Whereabouts are you located?
Someone may have a good shop recommendation.

High pressure water isn't the best plan for washing a Duc, IMO.

I am in Rapid City South Dakota right now... and chances are the only Ducati in the whole state... I might be a stereotyping there... but I definitely haven't seen any on the road.

[booger]

So... I shouldn't powerwash my bike... any reasons?

The dealer never told me about that....

It's common sense to not use a pressure washer to wash your bike. It's also in the owner's manual, which you apparently did not read. The electricals are obviously not waterproof, and you can overwhelm seals and gaskets with high pressure spray(water in gas, hydraulics, oil, chain o-rings, bearing seals, instrument cluster, ECU, etc). You can ruin a lot of parts. I do hope that while you were at this car wash you took the time to let the bike cool off at least before you unceremoniously blasted it with water. If not you committed another ham-fisted no-no. Never wash a hot bike. Owner's manual states this. Causes staining. You also run the risk of cracking hot aluminum engine components if the metal is not allowed to cool slowly. If cooled suddenly cast aluminum is prone to cracking(the engine cases, side covers, cylinder heads are cast aluminum). Everybody knows this.
I don't know why it would be the dealer's responsibility to inform you of common knowledge. RTFM

[Raux]

alright now. common sense for common owners. if the guy is new to bikes. then not common things. but yes a read of the owners manual will help.

also, have a local shop just look at the clutch lever to see if it is something simple. else, throw it on a truck and go to the duc shop.

[ungeheuer]

It's common sense to not use a pressure washer to wash your bike. It's also in the owner's manual, which you apparently did not read. The electricals are obviously not waterproof, and you can overwhelm seals and gaskets with high pressure spray(water in gas, hydraulics, oil, chain o-rings, bearing seals, instrument cluster, ECU, etc). You can ruin a lot of parts. I do hope that while you were at this car wash you took the time to let the bike cool off at least before you unceremoniously blasted it with water. If not you committed another ham-fisted no-no. Never wash a hot bike. Owner's manual states this. Causes staining. You also run the risk of cracking hot aluminum engine components if the metal is not allowed to cool slowly. If cooled suddenly cast aluminum is prone to cracking(the engine cases, side covers, cylinder heads are cast aluminum). Everybody knows this.
I don't know why it would be the dealer's responsibility to inform you of common knowledge. RTFM

*sigh*  There are those who just wanna help regardless of whether we think we mighta known better and then there are those who wanna finger-wag and tell ya how oh-so-clever they are....   No need for this line of attack, IMHO my friend.  You're right, it is in the manual.  You're right, the electrics of the bike, bearing integrity, o-rings etc etc etc can all be overwhelmed by use of high pressure spray.  You know that.  I know it too.  The OP is however quite obviously unaware.  So clearly "everybody" does not know this.  I fail to see how references to "ham-fisted" and "its common sense" help in any way.   A little humility in your wisdom wouldn't go amiss.

Soooo, if the clutch lever is feeling a little sloppy..... now what could it be?....  That you lost the actuator pin?......  That you got a heap of water in the clutch hydraulics??  I can't think of anything much else.  Anybody else able to offer a little CONSTRUCTIVE advice here?

[booger]

lol the ignorance is indefensible. It's not a toaster oven it's an Italian motorcycle. BTW I fully embrace your hate  

[Rizzo]

It's common sense to not use a pressure washer to wash your bike. It's also in the owner's manual, which you apparently did not read. The electricals are obviously not waterproof, and you can overwhelm seals and gaskets with high pressure spray(water in gas, hydraulics, oil, chain o-rings, bearing seals, instrument cluster, ECU, etc). You can ruin a lot of parts. I do hope that while you were at this car wash you took the time to let the bike cool off at least before you unceremoniously blasted it with water. If not you committed another ham-fisted no-no. Never wash a hot bike. Owner's manual states this. Causes staining. You also run the risk of cracking hot aluminum engine components if the metal is not allowed to cool slowly. If cooled suddenly cast aluminum is prone to cracking(the engine cases, side covers, cylinder heads are cast aluminum). Everybody knows this.
I don't know why it would be the dealer's responsibility to inform you of common knowledge. RTFM

Great moral support here... I feel wonderful knowing that I may have ruined it.

I am hoping that none of this actually happened, as the bike is basically brand new and this is the first time it has been washed.

I'm having a friend look at it and if it isn't a noticeable fix I'm taking it on the 6 hour drive to the dealership.

Sad that the trolls still find their way onto a serious Ducati forum.

On another note the guy that is going to take a look at it came up with the same idea about water being in the line. Now the question is, is it easy enough to do here and should I worry about affecting the warranty and not even bother taking anything apart.

[minnesotamonster]

Flushing the lines should not affect your warranty. No worries there.

[amcloud]

remove the clutch lever, it should be a single bolt.  There should be a small pin that fits into the lever.  This presses the hydraulic actuator for the clutch.  I would check this first before flushing the lines.  You man have just dislodged it...sounds like that might be the problem if the lever is sloppy feeling.  I hope you get it worked out.

[NAKID]

It's common sense to not use a pressure washer to wash your bike. It's also in the owner's manual, which you apparently did not read. The electricals are obviously not waterproof, and you can overwhelm seals and gaskets with high pressure spray(water in gas, hydraulics, oil, chain o-rings, bearing seals, instrument cluster, ECU, etc). You can ruin a lot of parts. I do hope that while you were at this car wash you took the time to let the bike cool off at least before you unceremoniously blasted it with water. If not you committed another ham-fisted no-no. Never wash a hot bike. Owner's manual states this. Causes staining. You also run the risk of cracking hot aluminum engine components if the metal is not allowed to cool slowly. If cooled suddenly cast aluminum is prone to cracking(the engine cases, side covers, cylinder heads are cast aluminum). Everybody knows this.
I don't know why it would be the dealer's responsibility to inform you of common knowledge. RTFM

Couple of things. Number 1, it's common sense to other motorcycle owners, remember, everyone was new once. Number 2 the electricals ARE waterproof, otherwise you wouldn't be able to ride in the rain or ever park the bike outside. Number 3, if everyone knows that washing a bike while it's hot is a no no, then he wouldn't have done so. Constructive criticism goes a long way, your post, however, is a good example of how NOT to treat new members. Thanks for the lesson...

[booger]

No, the electricals ARE NOT waterproof against pressurized water @120+psi ("I did wash the bike today and the spray was the most intense I have ever seen at a car wash") but you may test your bike to prove your point

[ungeheuer]

. ....BTW I fully embrace your hate  

Please don't project emotions to others than have not been expressed.  I don't hate  your unproductive comments.  I'm merely disappointed  that there are those who feel the need to publically berate others here, when this ought be a venue for assisting those who seek advice.

remove the clutch lever, it should be a single bolt.  There should be a small pin that fits into the lever.  This presses the hydraulic actuator for the clutch.  I would check this first before flushing the lines.  You man have just dislodged it...sounds like that might be the problem if the lever is sloppy feeling.  I hope you get it worked out.

+1

Great moral support here... I feel wonderful knowing that I may have ruined it.  On another note the guy that is going to take a look at it came up with the same idea about water being in the line. Now the question is, is it easy enough to do here and should I worry about affecting the warranty and not even bother taking anything apart.

I don't believe it's "ruined".  Any reputable bike repair shop ought be able to check it out for you if you're not confident to tackle it yourself.  Just gonna cost you a few bucks, that's all. 

Couple of things. Number 1, it's common sense to other motorcycle owners, remember, everyone was new once. Number 2 the electricals ARE waterproof, otherwise you wouldn't be able to ride in the rain or ever park the bike outside. Number 3, if everyone knows that washing a bike while it's hot is a no no, then he wouldn't have done so. Constructive criticism goes a long way, your post, however, is a good example of how NOT to treat new members. Thanks for the lesson...

+1

No, the electricals ARE NOT waterproof against pressurized water @120+psi...

True.  But since it's done, the issue is how to rectify.  Fortunately most here appear willing to offer a little assistance, advice or encouragement.