Why do Ducati's dry clutch have a grinding noise?

Question

I ride an RC51 (Honda's version of Ducati Sport Bikes) and have always wondered why Ducati bikes have a weird noise with their clutch system? I know it's a dry system, but is that normal?

Actually, now that I think about it, it's more like rattling. To be honest, it's kind of annoying after a while. I had a 900 behind me in traffic and it nearly drove me nuts. But I hear you on the exhaust note, sounds good.

Answer 1

The rattling sound is normal.

Motorcycle clutches in general are "clutch pack" type arrangements which have several alternating friction and drive plates in a stack. This is as opposed to a car which has one clutch plate that grips the flywheel.

When a clutch-pack type clutch is engaged, these plates stack tightly against each other to bind the engine output to the transmission input. When you pull the clutch lever in (disengaging the clutch), the plates are free to move around...this movement makes noise. This rattling happens in all clutch-pack type clutches; Ducati or no.

Most bikes nowadays include the clutch inside the crankcase and they are bathed in engine-oil. This oil dampens the noise, and generally make "wet clutches" easier to use and operate as the oil lubricates the pack and makes things smoother on engagement and disengagement. They are, of course, very quiet.

Ducati has decided to play up it's racing history and stick with dry clutches....wherein the clutch plates are free to rattle in the air, and thus the grinding/jingling/clattering noise you hear. Some people run "ventilated" clutch covers, with holes in them, to accentuate the "music".

Under racing conditions, it has been said that dry clutches have several advantages:

o Heat from the clutch doesn't heat up the engine oil (important in non-water cooled engines where oil is the primary cooling mechanism)

o Abrasive debris from the clutch plates does not contaminate the oil, and thus hurt the engine internals

o Rotating the clutch in oil creates drag on the clutch pack, and that drag consumes (very small amounts of) engine horsepower

o If you need to change a clutch, you can do so very quickly without draining and refilling the engine oil

On the downside, they are noisy, and generally harder to operate smoothly in day-to-day conditions.

Personally, I love the sound...but I keep my dry-clutch covered.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why do Ducati's dry clutch have a grinding noise?
I ride an RC51 (Honda's version of Ducati Sport Bikes) and have always wondered why Ducati bikes have a weird noise with their clutch system? I know it's a dry system, but is that normal?

Answer 3

Was the noise there originally or come after the clutch change? Did you replace the pilot bearing in the crankshaft gland nut? The answer about thrust bearings has some "bearing." On your motor, shims under the flywheel adjust the crankshaft end play. You may have some internal motor wear. See if you can push or pull the front pulley. Too much movement may indicate trouble. It is also possible the flywheel is not tightened onto the crank properly. Did you properly torque the pressure plate bolts so as not to warp it? You possibly have the clutch cable just a bit too tight. Back it off a bit so the release bearing doesn't ride on the pressure plate all the time. If that doesn't work, it may be time to snatch that sucker back out and check it. At least engine removal is simple on a 67 type I.

Answer 4

Are you talking about the rattling sound from the clutch plates when idling in neutral? That's part of the appeal of Ducati's, along with the exhust note when the engine comes "on cam" at higher rpms.

You can enhance that rattling sound even more by changing to a carbon fiber clutch cover that is perforated.

Answer 5

the rattling sound comes from the clutch basket,the standard ducati clutch has a small amount of free play that gets worse with wear. my 748 had the same thing and because i use it mainly for track days i fitted a v2 clutch basket and Kevlar plates.with the tighter clearances the noise is reduced.i fitted a Barnett race clutch to my girl friends 748 it still has some noise but not as much.

Answer 6

Part of the appeal? Youre insane, take off your Duc glasses. The clutch is dry with a vented cover so the plates rattle and jingle togther, the clutch in your honda is bathed in oil and enclosed in the cases, so nicely silent. Ducati sells them because race bikes have dry clutches for quick changes. Theyre just marketing that way. They are impratical for street applications, plus they sound awful, and weaker than wet ones. I rode my friends 996s and everywhere I went morons kept telling me I need a valve adjustment. Thats normal all that rattling and embarrassing.

Answer 7

because its a dry 6 disc system. you have to remember that the clutch is adjusted so you dont have to pull the handle all the way in and it disengauges the clutch....i.e. almost touching

Answer 8

its normal and i would rather listen to that than a harley anyday