Apologies for going over what I'm sure is old ground but I searched and couldn't find anything 100% definitive. Hopefully we can build a thread for other "newbies" like myself.

Before too many miles more the clutch on my 851 will need replacing (worn basket and tabs on the plates) which seems about right for the steel clutches at around 23,000 miles from what I've read, assuming it's the original clutch.

I don't do many miles so I can hunt for a while to keep costs down, especially as we're heading for winter. I've read that ALL Ducati dry clutches have interchangeable baskets? Is this true? It seems odd to me that a 600SS basket will fit a 1098 for example, although I also appreciate that production volumes may make this sensible.

Are the plates the same throughout? Again, I have read that pack height is important and that there are a different number of plates in different sets ups. I've also read that plates can be bought in different thicknesses to sort the pack height.

I would have thought that as the 600SS has less power it could get away with a lighter clutch than the 851 etc. as that was a constant complaint. Did Ducati bother with this and if so how was it achieved e.g. lighter/less springs, different hydraulics? Not really relevant I know but might prompt further questions.

Obviously lighter rotating mass is a good idea but does switching to alloy actually make much difference? My bike isn't ridden hard so performance isn't a big issue but are there other benefits (e.g. less inertia when starting, smoother running etc.)? I'm assuming that the weight difference isn't noticeable given everything else that has to spin anyway? Is it better to switch to alloy now as it has superseded steel and future parts availability my be compromised? I know not to mix alloy plates/steel baskets and vice versa.

My thoughts are that I may be able to pick up a low mileage second hand complete clutch off a breaker or someone changing to a slipper? Is this a false economy? I don't want to waste money but likewise don't want to do the job twice as that always works out more expensive.

I know Barnet kits seem to be favourite but with a basket/plates/springs showing at $500 (which with post to UK and VAT/duty would work out around £500 in my experience) plus $185 for the pressure plate it does seem a lot to pay for a bike that doesn't do many miles.

Does the springs and pressure plate normally need replacing? I know a lot of people change them for cosmetic reasons but I don't have an open cover so this isn't important.

I've only used the 600SS in the above questions as it is about the lowest powered model from our era. I don't have one to rob parts from or anything like that, so all parts will need to be purchased. The clutch currently works fine so I'm not panicking, but does make a lot of noise and the wear is obvious visually.

Please educate me.....