Clutch pressure plate install

[chixstrip]

Just installed a Rizoma clutch pressure plate, using the stock springs and bolts. When I tightened the bolts fully, the clutch lever wont pull all the way in. So I loosed the bolts around 6 turns and it seems to work fine. But anyone aware of any problems running it this way? 

[He Man]

You didnt align the plate properly. On the posts (where you screw the fasteners in) one should have a slit. That lines up with the hole in the pressure plate that has a marking. different manufactuers use different markings. Some is a small dot. some is a small raised bump or an indent, or a logo. Eitherway you have to line it up so it meshes properly, push aon it while you are trying to spin it to make sure everything meshes up. you should be able to push in the whole plate slowly. Then you should put the fasteners in and hand tighten them.

[chixstrip]

I'm pretty sure the plate was aligned properly. Perharps the spring seat area on the stock plates are more recessed than on the Rizoma plate. I'm more concerned about the bolts loosening while riding, is there a tendency of that happening?

[uclabiker06]

There is a tendency for many to over-torque those bolts.  No there is not a tendency for them to come loose (as far as I know).

[He Man]

I'm pretty sure the plate was aligned properly. Perharps the spring seat area on the stock plates are more recessed than on the Rizoma plate. I'm more concerned about the bolts loosening while riding, is there a tendency of that happening?

If you're sure then theres no reason it shouldnt work. Doenst hurt to check though. If they ARE aligned, then you may have just mis aligned the teeth and continued to screw them in without looking.

They go in finger tight, thats it. 

[q monster]

i have rizoma pressure plate also - if you look at the standard spring covers you will see that they insert further down the inside of the spring than the rizoma covers - this means to engage the standard bolts you have to compress the springs more than you would with the standard spring covers.

solution : either use the standard sping covers rather than the rizoma or get slightly longer bolts. Don't undertighten the bolts - the housing that takes the bolts in relatively weak and any abnormal movement may crack them.

[chixstrip]

Yep, went with the stock spring retainers and that seems to work. Thanks.

[Slide Panda]

Just to go back to a previous question, though you seem to have it sorted out.

Do not run your clutch with the spring keeper bolts not fully tight.  Though most of the force keeping them from turning is provided by the pressure of the spring crating friction between the bolt and the hub post, they can work loose.  I had a couple working loose at one point, despite being torques to spec and loctited. 

You'd be a very unhappy camper if one came loose and got sucked into your clutch assembly.  You'd be lucky to get out with just needing a new clutch.. worse a new clutch side engine cover.. even worse a locked up rear wheel putting you and the bike on the pavement.

[CDawg]

Just installed a Rizoma clutch pressure plate, using the stock springs and bolts. When I tightened the bolts fully, the clutch lever wont pull all the way in. So I loosed the bolts around 6 turns and it seems to work fine. But anyone aware of any problems running it this way? 

My Rizoma (star shaped) came with 6 small washer that you are suppose to use on certain Monsters.  I use them and it operates fine.

[q monster]

CDawg my rizoma pressure plate kit also had the washers but they are only for the S4R. i have looked at the ducati manual and the springs are the same part for either the S2R or the S4R but i suspect the bolts are not the same [haven't confirmed this yet] - as you can guess, using the washers actually shortens the shaft length of the bolts and would lead to even greater spring tightening on the S2R compounding the problem.

[CDawg]

using the washers actually shortens the shaft length of the bolts and would lead to even greater spring tightening on the S2R compounding the problem.

For what it's worth, the washer sits between the pressure plate and the bolt head there by reducing the spring tension by a little bit.
Good luck!

[chixstrip]

The way it seems to me, the washer sits between the spring caps and the bolt head, reducing the length of travel along the bolt, and thus further compressing the spring (which I'm trying to prevent).

Thanks q monster. Mine is a s2r too, its gotta be shorter bolts. cant think of any other reason.