Dry Clutch Friction Plates

[FIFO]

what do you mean by that?
are you saying that you shouldn't run an open cover with the surflex plates? because there's got to be tens of thousands of riders with open covers, and I've never heard of anyone having the same issue of plates sticking together like i have.

paul.

Hey Paul
What WTSDS is trying to say is it is a dry clutch keep it Dry.
I haven't read what Lt Snyder has to say.
 but at a guess the green residue is friction plate dust mixed with water gumming up the plates.
As could happen with any other brand of plates.
I always try not to get the clutch wet.
I know every one with an open cover doesn't worry about riding in the rain but when the clutch is spinning and hot very little water will get in.

You must have got a dodgy Barrnett clutch pack to have problems.
These Ducati clutches ain't rocket science very agricultural.
Just a few plates, throw them in  the correct order an Viola
Key words correct order.

[WTSDS]

>>> my surflex kit persists in sticking together after a wash,

Paul, if you have tried " everything " and it happens after a wash, AND you have a residue, maybe try thoroughly cleaning the complete clutch - driven plates, friction plates and pressure plate, and then keep it dry.

" Everything " includes deburring all of the tangs, making sure the pressure plate is lifting off sufficiently and squarely and there's no warped plates, replacing the hub if it's severely grooved, and ensuring the odd plate is facing the right way.

Jeff

[dragonworld.]

i haven't asked mate, ian gowanloch (italspares) is the importer here, i bought them from bev at eurotwins and he replaced them for me before he closed up shop. Haven't heard if ian has said anything though, and i have been slack, well, busy at work, too busy to get out for a ride so i'll have to see how this new kit goes, hopefully it was a one off.

paul.
p.s, is yours an open cover dragon?

Sorta Paul! I use the standard cover with it spaced out from the engine case to stop low flying aircraft, 

But weather proof it aint!  [moto]

[Mr.S2R]

Sorta Paul! I use the standard cover with it spaced out from the engine case to stop low flying aircraft, 

But weather proof it aint!  [moto]

yeah +1 dragonworld.  I have a TPO spacer kit that spaces the standard dry clutch cover out about a 1/4 of an inch.  I have ridden through torrential rain - no problems.  I have washed the bike and washed around the clutch area with sponge and hose.  I try not to get soapy water in there, and when I rinse that area I am cautious, but I have seen water get in there.  After washing, drying, I start the bike and let it idle for about 5 mins.  I think that usually spins out any water that may have got in there and gets enough engine temp to dry the plates if there is any water in there.  Mind you these are still the factory original plates - not after market.  Never had the issues you have described though.

One question loony - do you wash your bike on a race stand or side stand?

I think you got a bad batch of plates - be interested to hear how you go with the new ones! 

[loony888]

Hey Paul
What WTSDS is trying to say is it is a dry clutch keep it Dry.
I haven't read what Lt Snyder has to say.
 but at a guess the green residue is friction plate dust mixed with water gumming up the plates.
As could happen with any other brand of plates.
I always try not to get the clutch wet.
I know every one with an open cover doesn't worry about riding in the rain but when the clutch is spinning and hot very little water will get in.

You must have got a dodgy Barrnett clutch pack to have problems.
These Ducati clutches ain't rocket science very agricultural.
Just a few plates, throw them in  the correct order an Viola
Key words correct order.

yeah that's what i figured he was saying too, thing is, i've been riding these things for nearly 20 years, i've replaced maybe 10 clutches and NEVER had an issue, ever. i know how to install one, i know how to clean and maintain one, and i've ALWAYS had an open clutch cover, so why am i having an issue with just this one kit? i hope Mr.S2R is right and it's just a dodgy kit, hope the new one is better. And yes, i KNOW it's a dry clutch, but dry as in not in an oil bath, water shouldn't (according to the importer) and hasn't been an issue, at least for me, until now.

paul.

[koko64]

I've heard the sintered metal in the plates sticking after being wet was possible, they rust together when drying. I think I remember this on Harleys with open belt driven primary cases. Kind of similar to my mates Superlight cast iron discs sticking to the pads when left really wet and then drying. He puts the brakes on,  gives it a shove and it cracks loose.

I'm sure they would be fine after letting it run after washing as has been suggested. A bad batch may have the wrong amount of the metallic component however. A batch like that would stick alot worse than normal.

Think it's possible?

[loony888]

i'd say it would have to be possible, i have cast iron rotors on my monster and it has done the same as you describe, the weight of the bike against it as i give it a push is enough to break them apart and they're fine from there, the clutch is much tougher, i've tried running the motor, blowing out the clutch with compressed air, even riding it around the block (clearly not far enough) with no luck. The green residue it seems is the glue that bonds the friction material to the alloy plate and i'm almost certain that was the issue, rode it yesterday, washed it this morning and after a full day left after a wash it's fine with the new clutch, go figure.....

paul.

[888906]

Well at least you can rest assured, with Ian (Italspares) if it is a dodgy pack or batch, he will do the right thing by you and sort a replacement .  He is very good like that...