When you took the pressure plate off it allows the plunger to move all the way out in the clutch slave due to the weight of the clutch fluid. If your clutch fluid level was low it will have introduced air into the system. I learned this the hard way. You may need to bleed the clutch. The pressure plate never moves very much, just a few MM.
Many thanks. It feels like it needs bleeding as it’s very soft. Another job I now need to learn. The fluid should have been full. 4 months after a Ducati service. But who knows. If I check the reservoir when it’s light would I expect to see it low. If not I’ll swear a bit. Pull to bits and see where we go.
If it's 1/2 way or below you may find it's dropped to low. But it can be effected by the bike on a side stand or upright or on the type of clutch slave. Bleeding clutch fluid is a good thing to learn anyway.
Very useful thanks. Had a quick look a few mins ago and virtually no fluid in the reservoir. Off to get some more and bleed the system. Whilst I have the caps off I might as well paint them.
Why not get a set of stainless springs, bolts and anodised aluminium caps from @antonye on here? (Aka Avanti Racing) Not expensive and I can vouch for the spring rates etc as I have a set on my 999 and they work perfectly.
Thanks to all for the extremely useful info. Summary is. Fluid level was too low, once topped up and bled (what an easy and brilliant solution to put the bleed in the reservoir) order was restored. Now I know what I’m doing I shall strip down and clean plates properly. Is it worth unbolting the slave and cleaning this and pulling the rod out it connects to. If this could cause issues on an old bike I would leave it but having started I like the idea of a proper overhaul end to end.
The rod will come out from the clutch side, in fact it usually comes out along with the pressure plate.
It's recommended to take it out from the slave side to avoid damaging the two O rings. The updated pushrod only comes out from the slave side.