Greetings! Recently acquired a 750SS 1994 (which I'm dead chuffed with), and wondering if (at the next oil-change), it would be worthwhile cleaning up the clutch a bit? Finding I can't select neutral when stationary - which I gather isn't exactly unusual? More to the point, I'm also finding that most gear-shifts are accompanied by a none too discreet clunk? I'm coming from a BMW airhead twin (R100s), which ain't exactly the epitome of slick in the gear change department (and previously, archaic British bikes). I notice that without the engine running, but with a gear selected and the clutch lever fully disengaged, if I rock the bike back-and-forth, the clutch needs quite a hefty jolt to free it off? Makes me wonder if a bit of work with a file to plates and basket, might do something to alleviate the problem? I'm guessing probably someones going to tell me now to stop faffing, and that this is just part of the charm of Supersport ownership...! (Pic posted in Newbies Hangout)
Neutral at a standstill is indeed rare - it becomes second nature to snick into neutral as you roll to a stop (which I therefore find myself doing quite unnecessarily on my much slicker 998). Others will have a better idea of how far you're likely to improve things with a bit of fettling but personally I always felt the box on the 750SS was one of its (few) disappointments - crude and with too long a throw between the gears. I have an XBR500 which is ten years older and much smoother. So I guess I'm falling into the "stop faffing, this is just part of the charm of Supersport ownership" camp...:smile: But let us know how you get on. Lovely pic in the other thread; welcome.
Thanks Cobbett, guess I'm preparing to accept that the gearbox is going to be the one down-side to what otherwise seems to be a great machine...
You forgot to mention all the other neutral's between each gear Mr Cobbett! May I ask the miles on the bike korinthias? I've just done this on my 400 (same clutch I think) and it looked in very good nick. its done 17,500 miles. I did change slave seals (got from pro twins) which was abot £8. Not sites its made any difference yet as its not running yet. I'm sure some one will be more ofay than me, come on Al, lets be having you!!
Just coming up to 25k - possibly a bit early for a wet clutch to need attention...? Yes, neutral does seem to be freely available... Except when you want it!
Neutral what's that!!! Mine never went into neutral at stand still I always waited clutch in and in gear ready to go as I couldn't get the knack of getting into neutral slowing down Found many neutrals between 3/4/5th My SS clunked into first gear Oh the joys of SS ownership
If the tickover is too high it will make neutral harder to find,also check the rose joints on the lever,if they are worn it makes it harder...i can get mine in neutral 9 times out of ten but after years riding v4 Hondas you get the knack....you think Dukes are bad you should try a vfr400.
......and just let the clutch out slightly in first to roll the bike a few inches and give the lever a tap.
At a complete standstill, I have to go into 1st and gently ease the lever a tiny bit up for neutral........ ........when rolling it's normally easy........ ........false neutrals between higher gears are rare and because I didn't lift foot up hard enough...... Gearchange is clunky as usual........and my clutch appears to be relatively new...........at a guess, six years old.
Guess the 'select neutral rolling to a halt' thing is a skill I'm going to have to acquire. I still think there may be some improvement through fettling the clutch... Or maybe there's some kind of 'stiction' between the plates, with the wet clutch. Ho-hum; sure I'll adapt!
some days neutral is easy some days neutral is hard and some days I am sure its on bloody holiday but who cares I am sure 3rd and 4th are more fun
possibly right both times - hard to say definitively from what you have said but to a small degree the 'stiction' is normal on your wet clutch on all but brand new/just installed plates but it can be made worse by long term standing and particularly worse if combined with use of synthetic oil. Although both fully and semi-synthetic oils are approved even by Ducati themselves I and others have found repeatedly that the friction plates are affected eventually when either type is used despite it being specifically recommended for wet clutches. A slight 'clunk' is fairly normal when engaged for the first time each day but certainly shouldn't happen every time from a standstill and if severe then worth examining plates and replacement possibly a consideration.
Thanks, useful stuff. I hadn't thought directly about the kind of oil used, but I know the bike has probably run for a while on semi-synthetic. Are you suggesting a non-synthetic oil?
Last time I put new friction plates in a 750 Elefant I went straight to semi-synthetic (motorcycle approved/no friction modifiers) just as an experiment. I could select neutral easily for the first two days approx before they reverted to 'normal' i.e. - bike rolling being the only easy way to achieve gear selection. It took about 2 years before selection deteriorated and particularly worse after sitting for 3 months. I haven't had the same thing happen using non-synthetic but although I couldn't prove it, it's possible that the (possibly superior) performance of semi-synthetic on an engine constantly used hard with the side effect of a slightly stickier clutch action in time was probably worth it.
Thanks for your analysis and advice Chris. I'm not quite sure what to conclude re the oil, I'll have a think on it, but some attention to wear in the clutch might well be worth the effort.
I should add that depending on riding style of course, wet friction plates last very well wear-wise and generally last longer than equivalent on dry. Even the plain steel plates don't get such a hammering and tend to warp less.
