Should a clutch be immersed in oil prior to installation?

Question

I heard somewhere that I should soak new friction plates in oil for at least two hours prior to installation.
Is this true? And if so, then why?

P.S.
I'm talking about a motorcycle's wet clutch.

Answer 1

They should be; doing so thoroughly impregnates the surface with oil. If you simply assemble it dry, then oil will have a hard time getting to some of the friction plate surfaces so they'll run dry or nearly dry until the clutch has been used a number of times, and during that interval the clutch is likely to wear much faster than normal.