97 M900 Clutch cover , Air filter

[CarloL]

Hey

Few noob questions coming at you

Completely standard bike , from my understanding I can put an open clutch cover on the OE clutch , reason owners install the aftermarket anodised pressure plates , retainers are for visual impact?

Will an open clutch cover cause a reduced service life , dirt etc? She sounds a bit louder?

For Air filter , K&N worth getting? or any suggestions?

thanks

[smiffyraf1]

yep can put an open clutch cover on as long as you dont mind the noise increase (i personally love it) it is actually better as allows the dust to escape and aids in cooling the clutch pack.
Easy enough to change pressure plate, springs and collars for jazzy ones too just make sure you tighten/undo them evenly or you can break a lug off.

[CarloL]

Thanks

Any advice on what clutch cover ? 100's on ebay

Who are the good marques to use?

I presume perspex is a must for safety , jeans etc do not get caught up in there

[Flip]

Right oh!

Now you're talking!!

The 900 responds very well to the open pipes, free flowing air filter and jet kit combo. Ducati Performance used to offer the air filter and jet kit themselves (along with their various exhaust offerings of course) but it was basically a K&N filter and a Dynojet Kit along with an open lid for the air box but if you buy a Stage two Dynojet kit it should come with a template to cut the one you have (or buy another to cut to keep the original with your box of bits as I did).

All pretty straight forward to do yourself but a bit fiddly to balance the carbs after due to the position of the screw you need to get at to sync them.

As Smiffy says the dry clutch works better with a little open air cooling with no detrimental effects of getting caught in the rain etc. (although probably best to avoid a hose pipe in that direction when washing the bike).

There is of course varying degrees of 'openess' in a variety of materials available and depending on your choice will determine whether or not it will look alright without going the whole hog with a new pressure plate, springs and caps:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ducati-Ven...MAAOSwB-1Y6jd~

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carbon-Fib...QAAOSwx6pYrQNX

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-CNC-...kAAOSwuAVWyD9S

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DUCATI-748...AAAOSwA3dYZ~uN

Mine started off as a solid cover until I took a Dremmel to it and let the rattles out:

[slob]

Pick one you like the look of from a seller with good feedback

Just need enough to keep your toes out of it...


But bear in mind that something made out of a lump of billet ally is more likely to save damage if the bike slides along on the right side.


The biggest advantage of a K&N type filter is it's washable, rather than a paper one that wants replacing at service time.

[Darren69]

JHP billet cover/DP SBK '07 Slipper clutch

[Luddite]

If you want to buy British, Oberon do nice plates. This one gives a bit more protection to the springs in case the bike goes over (good point, slob).

http://www.oberon-performance.co.uk/...re_plates.html

If you're going "open" you might also want to change to stainless springs, (and anodised spring caps), as the standard ones can corrode if you're out in all weathers.

[smiffyraf1]

done on the cheap. got one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Titanium-C...YAAOSwFGNWSgVw painted it to match the cases and painted the OEM pressure plate with high temp paint and hand polished the springs and collars.
i do have a carbon cover but dont trust it to protect the clutch in a drop.

[CarloL]

Nice! Thanks guys

Few ideas's

[Flip]

I take the point about carbon not giving any real protection but I am pretty sure it would have to go some before the clutch cover took a hit- I am sure the handlebars, footrests and exhaust would keep the motor off the deck.

Obviously I am not willing to prove this but I just love the open carbon look on mine.

[CarloL]

Flip what pressure plate is yours?

[Flip]

It's a Ducati Performance one bought years ago from the club's long gone sponsor Spareshack Stu.

I've only seen that style listed as new old stock for some time now so presumably they are not available anymore but there is a blue one from Ducati Wolves listed but it doesn't show the bearing oddly- mine definitely came with one fitted so you would have to buy a new one to go with it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Du...CB5gpSkFCjGMnw

Or there is the later style here from Riders in gold:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DUCATI-PER...AAAOSwzgBYx8IZ

Along with DP copies from Giamoto:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DUCATI-DRY...3D371892098347

There are also lots of spring, caps and bearing sets on the 'bay but you need to make sure you get the correct caps as there are two depths but I can't remember off the top of my head which the '97 900 uses but can check if you want me to?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ducati-EVR...3D371892098347

From Oberon:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oberon-Per...3D321764520020

[smiffyraf1]

to be fair flip if it did go down that hard am sure a broken clutch inner hub would be the last of my worries and yours does look nice. i like that its unique too.

[Flip]

Cheers Smiffy, I like it that I did it all, when I bought my bike it was standard apart from the pipes- Monsters were always intended to be an expression of the owners' style and over the eighteen years I've had it it has, and continues (although to a lesser extent in recent years) to evolve.

I still have plans for it involving some parts I have collected over the years along with maybe getting a ratty one to chop about into becoming it's bratty little sister

[Darkness]

When I was knocked over in '08' the os high level Termi got some scrapes, the rear indicator and footrest hanger were snapped off, and the ally clutch cover was dented back onto the clutch pressure plate. That was a 30mph off, so higher speeds could certainly do more damage.