Clutch drag and gearbox issues, MV Agusta 910.

[Grindle]

Any mechanics out there who may be able to help, whilst you're bored and locked down? !

This MV mostly stalls when first gear is selected. Even after the ridiculous and tedious warm up procedure you have to go through. Often takes 3-4 tries before the gear is accepted.
Further, the bike still moves forward with the clutch pulled right in. Annoying in 1st gear but in 2nd gear it almost threw me into the stationary car in front of me at a junction.
The gears are very hard to find coming down the gearbox, i have found myself doing 25 mph and still stuck in 6th.
The clutch seems to be dragging and with cable clutches i have usually adjusted it out but this is hydraulic and i only have a small adjuster by the lever. Presumably for span only.
Any ideas? Rather than go for a £600 clutch would a change of fluid be a good first try?
Any advice appreciated.

[dibblecorse]

This is a common problem with some of the Ducatis, first thing I would do is make sure the clutch pack height is within tolerance as if its a little out then the plates have nowhere to move, on the Dukes there should be 4mm between the last steel plate and the top of the basket, I'd check that first.

[Richard-D]

Also have a look at the fingers on the basket. If they're worn/notched it could cause this.

[lukeyman]

Why were they selling it again?

[Grindle]

They were selling it as they had a new bike ordered. It was fine at first, that's the weird thing.
It's as if the first ride after standing a while has introduced air into the system or the clutch has been disturbed in some way with the first ride.

[Chipchap]

Std issue on MV and Ducati and Aprilia is that the clutch slave cylinder is small and they also let air in. Change the slave out for one of the larger aftermarket units.

[W12JFD]

Chipchap said:

Std issue on MV and Ducati and Aprilia is that the clutch slave cylinder is small and they also let air in. Change the slave out for one of the larger aftermarket units.

Agree - had exactly the same problem with my Superduke - Oberon slave unit for about £70 sorted it and also came in smart anodised orange to match the bike. Now buttery smooth

[Birky_41]

Richard-D said:

Also have a look at the fingers on the basket. If they're worn/notched it could cause this.

Mine did this and it was above that caused it

As a temp fix I filed them smooth (something you'd do in the mx racing days to get out of trouble for the day)

I learnt the basket was made of cheese and ideally you need a billet or at least hardened to stop the notching

[Rubin215]

Start by bleeding the system and getting new fluid all the way through.

Then look at cleaning/rebuilding the slave cylinder.

These are a lot easier (and cheaper) than replacing clutch baskets etc.