Front Sprocket Change

**Black Dog** · 09 Feb 08, 06:59 PM

I've just changed the front sprocket on the GT1000 for a 14T one. The procedure seems simple enough (and has been when I've done it on other bikes) and the workshop manual didn't warn of any problems. So when I've loosened off the sprocket nut, I find I can't pull it off the shaft. The clutch slave cylinder is about 1mm too wide, and however I moved the chain, there was always the slave cylinder in the way. When I checked back in the manual, the first picture has the slave cylinder in place, but the next one has it removed. So Ducati know it can't be done without removing the cylinder, but they don't say so in the text. Removing the cylinder means driaing the clutch and then re-filling and bleeding it - a lot of fuss for what should be a simple job.

I've done it now, and all seems well, but so many people have posted to say it is an easy job that I wonder if I have missed anything. Is there a simple way to change the sprocket without messing with the clutch? Just for the record :-)

**Jimmy996** · 09 Feb 08, 07:14 PM

isn't your cylinder the same as mine? i.e. a sealed unit that just pushes the rod, there is no mess or bleeding just unbolt it, tie it out of the way and put it back when finished surely? or am I on the wrong track?

**Black Dog** · 09 Feb 08, 07:28 PM

You're probably right! I thought that myself, but the workshop manual definitely said to drain the clutch fluid before removing the slave cylinder. I suspect you are right, though. Everything in there was dry when I removed it, so it's probably sealed and I probably wasted my time. I'll know next time! Thanks.

**Jimmy996** · 09 Feb 08, 07:41 PM

I know what you mean, yep I am sure its jut 3 allen bolts, I had mine off today, I gave mine a good tap before trying to undo as the heads seem to be made of monkey metal

**TP#12** · 09 Feb 08, 07:48 PM

Bugger!!! Yes you can just slip the clutch slave off to remove the front sprocket without the need to go and bleed etc.

Would have been handy if they'd said that in the manual!

**Black Dog** · 09 Feb 08, 09:43 PM

Wouldn't it just! Never mind, I'll know next time*. No harm done.

* 1. How to do the job. 2. Not to trust the manual.

Cheers guys.

**Mr.R** · 10 Feb 08, 09:04 AM

What manual are you lads reading?
It wouldn't be the famous 'Haynes Book of Raffle Tickets' ?

Steve

**Black Dog** · 10 Feb 08, 01:25 PM

Ducati official workshop manual. Next question? :-)

**Mr.R** · 10 Feb 08, 01:47 PM

OK,
I've found a few inaccuracies in the genuine manuals as well, but nowhere near as many as found in the book of raffle tickets.
Most of the mistakes in the genuine manuals seem, to be down to poor translation from the Italian text.
As they're aimed at dealers workshops, they do assume the reader will have a high level of knowledge.

Steve

**Black Dog** · 10 Feb 08, 06:24 PM

Ducati Official Workshop Manual:

"Removing the Clutch Slave Cylinder:

1. Drain the clutch system, ref section C4
2. Undo the three bolts .... etc"

That's not a mistranslation, that's just plain wrong. Worthy of the HBOL!

**markm** · 17 Feb 08, 07:52 AM

Dont know if the front sprocket is the same as on SS's whre you have the sprocket retained by a small plate and two caphead bolts but to anyone out there who has that type of sprocket: Do use some threadlock on the capheads after a sprocket change! I changed my sprockets around 6 months ago and over time without me noticing the the 2 bolts slowly unscrewed themselves. coming home from work the other evening i heard a strange noise on the bike every time i came to a stop. I was going to leave the job till my next day off but as it ws still light enough i decided to have a poke around and sure enough everytime i moved the rear wheel around this odd noise appeared. Turned out to be the 2 capheads machining the sprocket cover (slotted carbon so i guess thats why i heard it)! I had a very lucky escape!

mark

**Mr.R** · 17 Feb 08, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Dog

Ducati Official Workshop Manual:

"Removing the Clutch Slave Cylinder:

1. Drain the clutch system, ref section C4
2. Undo the three bolts .... etc"

That's not a mistranslation, that's just plain wrong. Worthy of the HBOL!

Hi Black Dog,
As you found out you actually didn't need to remove the slave Cylinder, only swing it out of the way.
The instructions you've posted above are correct, if you want to carry out the job in the title.....

"Removing the Clutch Slave Cylinder:

Just to amuse myself last night I sat down with two genuine Ducati workshop manuals.
Neither of which covered changing the gearbox sprockets!
I wasn't shocked by this as I've said before, I think they're aimed at Ducati Workshops and assume a level of knowledge on how to work on a bike.

Steve

**moto748** · 17 Feb 08, 03:07 PM

To be fair to the manual's writers, I expect the explanation is that when they say, "procedure for removing the clutch slave cylinder", what they mean is a procedure for completely removing it, ie, assuming you want to replace the slave cylinder. In such case, clearly, draining the fluid would be done.

Anyway, removing the slave cylinder is a good thing from time to time to clean all the gunge off it and make sure the seal is still working OK.

**Black Dog** · 17 Feb 08, 05:46 PM

Yes, I think the procedure was for removing the cylinder entirely, so draining it is a necessary part of that procedure. I only went to that bit of the manual because the section on the front sprocket clearly shows the slave cylinder in place in the first photo (showing the tab washer on the sprocket) and then clearly absent in the second (showing the sprocket ready to be removed). As I had tried for about half an hour to line the chain up so that it would pass the cylinder, and failed, I decided that removing it was the only way to do a clean job.

I'm quite glad I did drain it out, because the state of the fluid wasn't great - black and murky rather than the usual fluid colour. So I've got a fluid change done into the bargain!