Ducati dry clutch maintenance

[feralchimp]

2005 Multi S

I seized up the dry clutch by leaving the bike in the rain with an open clutch cover, so I removed the cover, the springs and pressure plate, and all of the clutch plates.

The springs are rusty so I have some new coated ones on order.

The clutch plates are also a mess; some have teeth missing from the outer edge, and there were also sections of friction material loose and rattling around between the plates. So I should probably replace them all too, right?

I'm looking for advice on how to clean the back of the pressure plate, and the spindle/holder thing that the clutch plates slide onto. I don't want to go nuts on it or remove the whole clutch from the bike, but I'd like to tidy it up a bit before installing new plates and springs.
Should some steel wool / wire brush / compressed air do it? Any materials I definitely should Not use in there?

[Marc R]

Sorry to hear about the Multi troubles. Multistrada.net might be good forum for this question.

[Kurlon]

Sounds like your machine was beat hard before you got it. I had an ST3 with a dry clutch, vented cover (OEM cover, no gasket, just the spacers) that lived outside and my clutch never got to that state. That said, missing teeth, tatty fibers, I'd put a new clutch pack in. I would inspect the basket and hub too, if they're notched all to hell a new pack won't last long or give good service.

[2v2Ducati]

I've never heard of a clutch seizing up from the rain, my bike has an open clutch cover (woodcraft one) and has had one on since new , 1997 and been ridden in alot of rain but I agree with Kurlon, replace the clutch pack if material is falling off. That seems really weird to me.

[2v2Ducati]

Steel wool or Brillo should be fine, how chewed up is it?

[feralchimp]

I think the pressure plate and basket are probably okay, just grimey and with plenty of surface rust on the inside of the pressure plate. I'll try to post some photos later.

[feralchimp]

I would inspect the basket and hub too, if they're notched all to hell a new pack won't last long or give good service.

I didn't know what you meant by this until I got more rust/dust out and took a look in better light. The question quickly became, "Is this basket notched all to hell, or just notched part way to hell?"

I took some photos and brought them to a Ducati tech. They said it looked like normal wear for the miles, and that by filing down the worst of the notches I should be fine to keep the same basket and put in new plates. So that's what I did. Got new plates, filed down the notches a bit, sanded off any rough edges, blew out detritus with compressed air, and put in the new plates. At least I can say they slid in easier than the old ones slid out...

Still waiting on new springs and a fresh gasket, but hopefully this is the home stretch to being able to put some miles on the bike.

[Paul_E_D]

Sounds good to me... Now after you fix your clutch you get to hear people tell you it broken at stop lights. lol

[feralchimp]

Springs and gasket arrived today; bike now goes in and out of gear like butter, idles much quieter, etc. Can't wait to take it to the office tomorrow and let it stretch it's legs!