Clutch - air in the system

Hi All,
I've done 5000km / 3500mi on my 1199 S
I'm finding that the clutch is starting to engage further to the bar the more I use it. Not drastically but I've had to bleed air out of the nipple near the slave cylinder twice now. I've wound the clutch lever out fully using the knob near the pivot point.

Before I take it into Ducati, any thoughts on what I could try?
I am thinking it might be a pinched o-ring on the slave cylinder or something.

Thanks alot!

bishopau said:

Hi All,
I've done 5000km / 3500mi on my 1199 S
I'm finding that the clutch is starting to engage further to the bar the more I use it. Not drastically but I've had to bleed air out of the nipple near the slave cylinder twice now. I've wound the clutch lever out fully using the knob near the pivot point.

Before I take it into Ducati, any thoughts on what I could try?
I am thinking it might be a pinched o-ring on the slave cylinder or something.

Thanks alot!

Click to expand...

You're going to learn to love bleeding the clutch......this issue has been alive for over 10yrs+......

Many have tried all sorts of possible solutions.....slave cylinder spacers(to allow air to provide cooling of the unit, the thinking was the spinning rod inside the cylinder was heating the clutch fluid), slave cylinder upgrades (full replacement with aftermarket units), re-routing of the clutch line (the thinking was, since the line was resting on the engine the engine heat was boiling the fluid).....then there was the pin hole in the clutch lever boot, with out a pin hole(so it was thought) air was getting forced into the system as the lever was actuated.....

There may be other theories but I covered most of them - none proved to work, at least none worked for me......I've had ducs since 1995, and I've had this issue on all of my ducs except the original 1995 916......including a desmosedici

Get yourself a dedicated 11mm open end that you carry with the bike(wrapped in a small shop towel to cover the bleed nipple), for those times you forget to bleed it prior to leaving on your ride.....you'll be happy you have it with you...or get religious with bleeding it when you top off engine oil.......

In the end, save yourself any money in trying "fixes" unless its a proven solution.....in which case I'd appreciate knowing what you found

RD16RR said:

You're going to learn to love bleeding the clutch......this issue has been alive for over 10yrs+......

Many have tried all sorts of possible solutions.....slave cylinder spacers(to allow air to provide cooling of the unit, the thinking was the spinning rod inside the cylinder was heating the clutch fluid), slave cylinder upgrades (full replacement with aftermarket units), re-routing of the clutch line (the thinking was, since the line was resting on the engine the engine heat was boiling the fluid).....then there was the pin hole in the clutch lever boot, with out a pin hole(so it was thought) air was getting forced into the system as the lever was actuated.....

There may be other theories but I covered most of them - none proved to work, at least none worked for me......I've had ducs since 1995, and I've had this issue on all of my ducs except the original 1995 916......including a desmosedici

Get yourself a dedicated 11mm open end that you carry with the bike(wrapped in a small shop towel to cover the bleed nipple), for those times you forget to bleed it prior to leaving on your ride.....you'll be happy you have it with you...or get religious with bleeding it when you top off engine oil.......

In the end, save yourself any money in trying "fixes" unless its a proven solution.....in which case I'd appreciate knowing what you found

Click to expand...

That is hilarious RD16RR haha
Thank you for the reply - I'm glad to know it's not a considerable fault with my bike (my first Ducati)
To be honest I don't believe it's a big deal - I can add it to my weekly maintenance regimen

bishopau said:

That is hilarious RD16RR haha
Thank you for the reply - I'm glad to know it's not a considerable fault with my bike (my first Ducati)
To be honest I don't believe it's a big deal - I can add it to my weekly maintenance regimen

Click to expand...

I'm glad you enjoyed the read.....

I tried hard to make it part of my routine, but age has been creeping in, and I found myself leaving my driveway moaning to myself that I'd forgotten to bleed it, refusing to stop as I am a creature of habit, and dislike removing my helmet, gloves and ear plugs all to be a slave to the slave cylinder.....buddies eventually tired of me asking for their tools (so I wouldn't have to open mine) so I learned to carry it within easy access - it's always worth it, as the bikes are so rewarding !

I've just got to find an 11mm wrench that will fit in the hefty cargo bay of the 1199 hah

bishopau said:

I've just got to find an 11mm wrench that will fit in the hefty cargo bay of the 1199 hah

Click to expand...

I carry this with me everywhere...



Fits in the trunk under the connector cover.

bishopau said:

I've just got to find an 11mm wrench that will fit in the hefty cargo bay of the 1199 hah

Click to expand...

-- get any old one....you can cut it down to fit....but be sure you don't hack off the wrong end (don't ask!)

bishopau said:

Hi All,
I've done 5000km / 3500mi on my 1199 S
I'm finding that the clutch is starting to engage further to the bar the more I use it. Not drastically but I've had to bleed air out of the nipple near the slave cylinder twice now. I've wound the clutch lever out fully using the knob near the pivot point.

Before I take it into Ducati, any thoughts on what I could try?
I am thinking it might be a pinched o-ring on the slave cylinder or something.

Thanks alot!

Click to expand...

I just noticed this happening after i put on the the new DP levers. Not sure if that's a coincidence Thanks for the info, but it's been 10 years since I bled lines.

-- 10yrs !!??.....i'd go get some new fluid

RD16RR said:

-- 10yrs !!??.....i'd go get some new fluid

Click to expand...

Yes, I got the prototype pani

I've had this issue since I picked up the bike in May 2012. In short, I have to bleed the clutch about every 1000 miles. I've even had the master and slave cylinders replaced under warranty, with Ducati NA asking the Dealer to send them the parts to see what might be causing the issue. Anyway, it looks like we all bought the Panigale prototype.

Styler said:

I've had this issue since I picked up the bike in May 2012. In short, I have to bleed the clutch about every 1000 miles. I've even had the master and slave cylinders replaced under warranty, with Ducati NA asking the Dealer to send them the parts to see what might be causing the issue. Anyway, it looks like we all bought the Panigale prototype.

Click to expand...

-- nope...you simply have the longstanding issue, that has never disappeared - "don't worry...be happy"......let us all know what if any resolution DNA has to offer.......

Look on the bright side. By the time you own your second or third Ducati you will be so good at bleeding clutches you won't even think twice about it. At least this one doesn't require the old "take the plates out and sand/clean them and put them back in to fix the Chewbacca clutch sound" routine.

Yup...noticed my clutch lever action to be just a bit spongy...after three trackdays in the hot climate we have here....its must be...

I simply bled my brakes and my clutch fluid with Motul's RBF600. WOW! WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

I got better/more precise lever pressure on the clutch and stronger braking power up front. I guess, after three trackdays, fluids get cooked somewhat.
My Pani "S" has 6,885kms on the clock...we get the euro versions here in the Philippines.

Replaced my Oil and Oil filter too with full synthetic 10w40 and slapped in a BMC airfilter! This Pani "S" is simply an awesome bike! Now, just waiting for Ducati to address the heating issue we have here in sub90's temp...with their rectified header heatshields!

I thought my bike was the only problem with this. Good to know I am not the only one. Never had issues on my 848. So not worth trying to replace parts? I bleed mine often, but it's not that big of an issue. If there is a true solution I will have the techs replace whatever needs to. They talked about replacing the whole slave cylinder. What is your input?

elitesoldier357 said:

I thought my bike was the only problem with this. Good to know I am not the only one. Never had issues on my 848. So not worth trying to replace parts? I bleed mine often, but it's not that big of an issue. If there is a true solution I will have the techs replace whatever needs to. They talked about replacing the whole slave cylinder. What is your input?

Click to expand...

See post # 2 above - it says:

You're going to learn to love bleeding the clutch......this issue has been alive for over 10yrs+......

Many have tried all sorts of possible solutions.....slave cylinder spacers(to allow air to provide cooling of the unit, the thinking was the spinning rod inside the cylinder was heating the clutch fluid), slave cylinder upgrades (full replacement with aftermarket units), re-routing of the clutch line (the thinking was, since the line was resting on the engine the engine heat was boiling the fluid).....then there was the pin hole in the clutch lever boot, with out a pin hole(so it was thought) air was getting forced into the system as the lever was actuated.....

There may be other theories but I covered most of them - none proved to work, at least none worked for me......I've had ducs since 1995, and I've had this issue on all of my ducs except the original 1995 916......including a desmosedici

Get yourself a dedicated 11mm open end that you carry with the bike(wrapped in a small shop towel to cover the bleed nipple), for those times you forget to bleed it prior to leaving on your ride.....you'll be happy you have it with you...or get religious with bleeding it when you top off engine oil.......

In the end, save yourself any money in trying "fixes" unless its a proven solution.....in which case I'd appreciate knowing what you found

Just adjust the lever further back with the black adjuster nob located on the lever it self.

LDucati 1199S said:

Just adjust the lever further back with the black adjuster nob located on the lever it self.

Click to expand...

lol....that's a rookie move .....air has to be bled out.....

elitesoldier357 said:

I thought my bike was the only problem with this. Good to know I am not the only one. Never had issues on my 848. So not worth trying to replace parts? I bleed mine often, but it's not that big of an issue. If there is a true solution I will have the techs replace whatever needs to. They talked about replacing the whole slave cylinder. What is your input?

Click to expand...

Before bleeding my clutch fluid, I removed my clutch slave cylinder by simply removing three bolts...cleaned all the gunk off from the slave cylinder which comes from the front countershaft sprocket...sprayed and cleaned it with WD40...as this melts away the gunk...wipe it dry with a towel/rag...installed it back, bled the clutch with Motul's RBF600 and got back the original brandnew feel again.

Good info guys and I am going back in tomorrow and they are replacing the master and slave cylinder tomorrow as I have bled it three times in 3,000 miles (....it looks like i am basically on the default schedule!). Also having new plugs put in to see if that can help the hard starting issue.....tbd. Cheers!