A few issues with a recently purchased 600ss

**Sumaspikey** · 02 Apr 08, 07:26 PM

Hi all! Newbie alert!!

I've just purchased my first big bike, namely a 600ss with 37k on an M plate. Its a great looking bike and is gona take some getting used to! I am' however, having a few issues. They are issues i should really take up with the shop i bought it from, but it was a trade sale and sold as seen.

Firstly, the clutch slips under load at high revs. It almost catches me by surprise when it happens as its pretty sudden.

Secondly, there is a white liquid smear on the inside on the oil level glass. What could this be?

Thirdly, the engine seems unusually loud/tappy. Its a very metallic sound and does not stop when the clutch lever is pulled in. The tapping does however seem less noticable once taken up off idle to a fast idle. Could this be tappets?

Thats it for now i think!

i hope!

Any help greatly appreciated!

**Ghost** · 02 Apr 08, 07:37 PM

I'm not well versed on this specific model altho I have just bought one.
Clutch could well be knackered or it could have had the wrong oil in. Fully synth possibly

37k it may be worth looking at the clutch.

Tapping noise could well be the tappetts, its fairly easy to get in and check the clearances. Too loose is better than too tight tho.

The emulsified look on your sight glass. Could well be moisture content from short duration runs. As its an air cooled you have eliminated the other possibilties by that very nature.

So Get it really warm 1/2 hour on fastish idle then drop the oil and filter and replace with fresh. It may just help your clutch also.

**Lucazade 749s** · 02 Apr 08, 07:43 PM

Tapping - horizontal cylinder slapping, nothing major. Most of them have it but when service done it should have been resolved.
White liquid - if I think about the same think never had I seen a ducati with-out it in a stage of it's life. Again nothing major white stuff is there for you to see properly the oil level. It should be change once in a while. It looks like liquid smear as water probably sits on it. Give it a proper ride so it warms up and all water goes away. Around 30 miles non stop. It happens when engine is stationary for a longer period.

Clutch slips - two options
- one a case of adjusting the clutch lever and checking the clutch fluid level or if the slave cylinder is ok.
- two clutch is worn out.

**nogaromill999** · 02 Apr 08, 07:44 PM

Hi and welcome to the site. Firstly, your bike has quite high mileage, and so is likely to have a considerable degree of piston slap. Nothing too serious, they all do it to a degree. A load of us race them and its quite common....The clutch slip is likely to be caused by worn out plates, given the mileage. The white liquid smear is LIKELY to be condensation in the crankcases combining with the oil....run her up to temp, then take the filler cap off and let any moisture evaporate......its air cooled so no probs with coolant in the oil.......hope that helps....

**zimbo** · 02 Apr 08, 07:53 PM

Pretty much as above really. The piston slap when cold is normal, white stuff is simply moisture in the oil, this will clear when it gets warm. Clutch slip could well be worn plates, but running using fully synthetic car oil can also cause clutch slip. I'd change the oil and filter using semi synthetic bike oil and see if it improves, if not then change the plates. Change the belts too whilst you're at it!

**Sumaspikey** · 02 Apr 08, 08:15 PM

thanks for the quick responses guys! All saying pretty much the same, so thats put my mind at ease regarding the white liquid. As for the clutch, could anyone give me a rough estimate on how much a replacement clutch pack would be inc fitment or it is poss to diy? I'll give it an oil and filter change as recommended first tho. Also, the loud tapping does not sound like piston slap imho. Its to regular if you know what i mean. Its a definate tap tap tap tap tap....very loud, but does seem to be coming from the vert cylinder (so piston slap may be the case). Is there any other possibilities other than tappets and slapping?

oh and one other thing....are belt changes a diy job for me (a competent car mechanic) as shown here YouTube - cacycleworksdotcom's Videos

**nogaromill999** · 02 Apr 08, 08:20 PM

A set of Barnett plates is about £155 plus postage...as Phil said the sound, if its NOT piston slap, will be valve clearances, and better too much than not enough.

**Lucazade 749s** · 02 Apr 08, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sumaspikey

thanks for the quick responses guys! All saying pretty much the same, so thats put my mind at ease regarding the white liquid. As for the clutch, could anyone give me a rough estimate on how much a replacement clutch pack would be inc fitment or it is poss to diy? I'll give it an oil and filter change as recommended first tho. Also, the loud tapping does not sound like piston slap imho. Its to regular if you know what i mean. Its a definate tap tap tap tap tap....very loud, but does seem to be coming from the vert cylinder (so piston slap may be the case). Is there any other possibilities other than tappets and slapping?

oh and one other thing....are belt changes a diy job for me (a competent car mechanic) as shown here YouTube - cacycleworksdotcom's Videos

Belt's are not so hard. Even I could do it.

**CK & AK** · 02 Apr 08, 09:08 PM

All points pretty well covered as above - apart from the wording 'Trade sale' - there is no such thing from a retailer any more, unless you have signed a form to agree to waiver all your consumer rights.
I'm sure you havent done this have you? - it would be very unsual to do so.

**Ghost** · 02 Apr 08, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CK & AK

All points pretty well covered as above - apart from the wording 'Trade sale' - there is no such thing from a retailer any more, unless you have signed a form to agree to waiver all your consumer rights.
I'm sure you havent done this have you? - it would be very unsual to do so.

Thats very true and well brought up, I was speaking to a trader that sold something as seen for virtual peanuts, £300 ish cam belt broke after he had covered 600 miles the trader had a hell of a job with the trade description people.

They said as much if you had sold it for £20 he still has rights and so do you to sort it. Not good for the traders.

**749_MON** · 03 Apr 08, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sumaspikey

Hi all! Newbie alert!!

I've just purchased my first big bike, namely a 600ss with 37k on an M plate. Its a great looking bike and is gona take some getting used to! I am' however, having a few issues. They are issues i should really take up with the shop i bought it from, but it was a trade sale and sold as seen.

Firstly, the clutch slips under load at high revs. It almost catches me by surprise when it happens as its pretty sudden.

Secondly, there is a white liquid smear on the inside on the oil level glass. What could this be?

Thirdly, the engine seems unusually loud/tappy. Its a very metallic sound and does not stop when the clutch lever is pulled in. The tapping does however seem less noticable once taken up off idle to a fast idle. Could this be tappets?

Thats it for now i think!

i hope!

Any help greatly appreciated!

Although I can't offer you any more advice than you've already received, I hope you get it sorted.

Ironically I was waiting for better photos from the dealer before having a look in person DUCATI 600SS, SUPERSPORT, { NO P/X NOT ALLOWED R WE } on eBay, also, Ducati, Motorcycles Scooters, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 31-Mar-08 06:14:30 BST) and you beat me to it (was considering it as a project bike).

I'd appreciate it if you'd keep us updated in case I find another one.

dooglex has just recently bought one in the Coventry/Warwick area, so you may want to comapre notes if you're near each other.

Good luck!