Clutch line burnt?

[Arachnosold1er]

My clutch line is turning black/brown underneath the clear coating on the stainless line on my M796. I'm thinking maybe because of the heat from the engine but I am worried it could be break fluid leaking into the stainless part of the line. Anyone else have this happening on their bike? Hopefully I'm just freaking over something normal but it seems to be getting worse with every ride.

[Curmudgeon]

Nothing wrong with being observant.

My lines are coated with a grey-tinted plastic. No signs of discoloration. I suppose fluid "could" get through the neoprene and the stainless braiding and show up under the plastic. If it persists, get that line replaced under warranty. This is just the section on the engine case?

[Arachnosold1er]

The worst of it is on the engine case, to be honest I didn't trace the whole line to see if it was occurring anywhere else. Would that even be covered under the warranty? I guess it wouldn't hurt to try. The worst they could do is say that it is only cosmetic and not covered. I have a kind of a crappy dealer here.

[Curmudgeon]

If you have a fluid leak into the outer housing, it isn't just cosmetic. TELL the dealer to replace it. If you get a negative response, call Customer Service at DNA. THEY will instruct him to change it.

[Arachnosold1er]

Burnt or leaking, either way it isn't very good in my mind. I will take it to the dealer and see what happens. I'm usually able to get an oil change out of a dealer when "inconvenienced" due to warranty issues. I need to get the service light turned off anyhow from when I did my own break in oil change and service. 

[Curmudgeon]

Why so timid? If there's even the remotest possibility that brake fluid is in there, it should be swapped out, no questions asked. I'm fairly sure DNA would agree. So would the NHTSA.

[take risks]

Mine too. Clutch side.

[battlecry]

You can use spiral wrap for cable harnesses on the part of the clutch line that rides tha case.  The small separation from the case metal has to keep the fluid a little cooler.  You can also use the spiral wrap to prevent rubbing on the front brake hoses.

[Curmudgeon]

You can use spiral wrap for cable harnesses on the part of the clutch line that rides tha case.  The small separation from the case metal has to keep the fluid a little cooler.  You can also use the spiral wrap to prevent rubbing on the front brake hoses.

If I understand the situation correctly, the lines are not "burned" but oil (black) is seeping through the stainless braiding and is trapped underneath the semi-clear plastic outer covering.

[atomic410]

i got a clutch line if you want to buy it.  from a 05 620 taken off at a few thousand miles and in a bag since.

[Arachnosold1er]

It is seeping from the inside of the line into the stainless jacket. I'm waiting on the local dealers "warranty guy" to give me a call to arrange to have this fixed. I'm hoping that they will go ahead and order the part and then when it comes in I can just swing by and have them swap it out. I wonder if they are going to give me flak for the Arrow pipes and the fact that I did my own 600 mi service? The stock exhaust sucks and they wanted nearly $300 for the 600 mile service. I'm more than capable of changing my own oil and tightening my chain. I have 5k mi. on the bike now and this is the first issue I have had so I have been more than happy with my bike until now. Lets hope this is the ONLY issue.

[dlearl476]

Simple solution?  New black lines from cyclebrakes.

[take risks]

If I understand the situation correctly, the lines are not "burned" but oil (black) is seeping through the stainless braiding and is trapped underneath the semi-clear plastic outer covering.

i believe so.

[Arachnosold1er]

So I contacted the dealer here in Charleston, told them what was happening and that I wanted it replaced under warranty. They transferred me to the parts dept to order the part. Its $110.00 and the guy asked if I wanted to put a deposit or pay for the part completely. I told him that it was to be covered under warranty. He said he needed my VIN, which I provided, and that the service dept would call me back. Two weeks later..... rinse and repeat above conversation. They appeared clueless when I called to check up on the status of my part order. So now they tell me I have to bring them the bike, which I'm reluctant to ride for fear of the clutch line failing completely, and that they would have to determine if it would be covered and they would take some pics. I explained my limited availability to do so and that I could send them pics. I'm about to take some pics and email to the service dept, but I am wondering if I should just take my business elsewhere. I don't trust these guys with my bike, even if they are an authorized Ducati service shop and dealership. I'm getting nowhere with these guys! Its been nearly a month and my part is still not even on order! UUUgghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Curmudgeon]

I doubt very much if it's simply going to fail suddenly or ever. It's probably a tiny leak which is being contained by the nylon outer cover. Call DNA customer service and give 'em an earfull. Ask at the same time for a dealer in SC or NC or GA with lots of awards and a sterling reputation. My dealer and parts guy would have done this over the phone, but for warranty they'd still have to do the R&R, which is fine with me!

Keep us posted.