Normal to roll while in gear?

[othebe]

I stopped my bike on a downhill and left it in first gear. I was still on it, but noticed it would want to roll forward. Pardon my ignorance on this, but is this considered normal, or is this a sign of clutch slippage?

Logic wants to say its normal just based on how crankshafts make the wheel move, and so vice versa... but then again... I'm seriously inept at this. The bike is a 2000 Ducati 748. Thanks!

 

[splat]

I'd say because you were pointed downhill, it's normal. If on level ground, in gear, clutch pulled in, it should not want to roll.

 

[anytwowilldo]

If you rode the bike there, it is not clutch slippage. It will be harder for the bike to roll in 1st gear than 5 or 6th, but it could roll a bit on a hill. Sounds normal to me, if it runs properly.

 

[johnk]

Slipper clutch?

If your clutch plates were so worn that this would cause slipping I think you would have noticed it long before now.
Now I've never had a bike with one but perhaps this is a by-product of a slipper clutch? I dunno, just throwing ideas out there.

 

[Wicked4Racin]

Make sure your lever is adjusted properly. Most bikes are 1-2mm free play.

 

[flying_hun]

When you say it wants to roll forward, how far? A couple of inches, or without stopping at all?

 

[ST Guy]

If it rolls just a very short ways and then stops, then that's likely due to the slack in the drive train being taken up. Normal. When I park facing slightly downhill, I'll aways put it in gear (engine off, clutch out) and let it roll as far forward as it wants to go and only then do I put the side stand down. If I feel it's too steep and might possibly turn the engine over, then I'll turn the bike around or park somewhere else. If the slope is steep enough, it's possible to turn the engine over and the bike will roll off the side stand and fall over.

If your bike doesn't really want to stop rolling forward at some point, here are the possibilities:

1. Slope too steep.
2. Clutch worn.
3. Something related to the slipper portion of the clutch.

'Hope that helps.

 

[othebe]

Hey guys, @Hun, it wanted to keep rolling (with resistance though). The bike doesn't have a slipper clutch. I'll check the clutch plates when I get a chance.

 

[RickM]

clutch? Compression?

If it happened without any warning/signs of gradually developing problem, I think it's more likely to be clutch master not releasing the pressure if it has a hydraulic clutch..

I really have no clue. Just throwing out ideas

 

[bpw]

Really weird the clutch could slip enough to let the bike roll while still being rideable, and a ducati twin has a lot of engine braking unless the compression was really bad.

Just to clarify, is this engine off or on?

If engine off, can you hear the engine turn over as it rolls?

You could push the bike around on a flat in gear with the engine off to get a better idea of what is going on.

 

[MSHax]

Make sure your lever is adjusted properly. Most bikes are 1-2mm free play.

Nailed it!
This is pretty common when the clutch isn't adjusted properly. The clutch works fine (so it feels), but despite what you may think, it's still slightly engaged when the lever is fully squeezed. Adjust that cable slightly and it'll stop crawling.

BTW: Ducati run dry clutch, proper adjustment is CRUCIAL

 

[flying_hun]

Nailed it!
This is pretty common when the clutch isn't adjusted properly. The clutch works fine (so it feels), but despite what you may think, it's still slightly engaged when the lever is fully squeezed. Adjust that cable slightly and it'll stop crawling.

BTW: Ducati run dry clutch, proper adjustment is CRUCIAL

Hmmm, I've never seen anyone adjust the cable on a 748 clutch. Could be interesting. :confused

 

[MSHax]

EVERYTHING can be adjusted