[Ducati] new Ducati owner - clutch

[John Sheerin]

How do you know the clutch is slipping?  I guess in extreme cases, you 
have the clutch fully engaged and you don't go anywhere with the motor 
still running, but what are the more subtle signs of this?  I have an 
issue where the bike seems to jerk back and forth a bit sometimes.  I 
originally thought it was suspension issues making the bike bounce up 
and down a bit, but now I've taken care of all that, so I'm looking for 
other things.  When I serviced my bike this spring, I checked the 
clutch plate thicknesses and the spring lengths.  The plates had about 
half their material left (based on dimensions from the Haynes manual) 
and the springs were within spec on length, so I figued I'd still be 
good for a while.  I do think my basket is getting a bit worn - there's 
a bit too much clearance between the tabs on the plate and the notches 
in the basket.

John
http://ldsg.snippets.org/HORNS/ducati.html

>>>>>>
Typically when a clutch starts to slip in the higher gears the plates 
have 
been worn and need to be replaced.  Your mileage is low so you may 
want to 
make sure something isn't hanging up.  Do your self a favor and 
replace the 
springs when/if you replace the plates.  I neglected to do so and 
winded up 
buying a set of plates.