Monday 29 December 2008

Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo

Happy Christmas and hope you have a great new year. The Ducati 916 is parked up for the moment. I hope to add some content in the new year. In the meantime hope you carry on reading the blog.
Vinny

Tuesday 16 December 2008

There is always the right way

I found the reason why the water was resting near the filler cap. The pipe below the tank has three connections. one from the tank, one up to the breather and one down to the ground via the fairing to let out any water....
I tried to feed the copper wire through the pipe with no success near the filler cap. I then lifted the tank by undoing the single allen screw under the seat. lifted the tank up and could see that the pipe going to the ground off the y piece had a kink it it. As i pulled it off the pipe was full of dirt.
I cleaned the pipe cut off the plastic so that a fresh plastic would grip onto the y piece. After putting the tank back I made sure the pipe would not kink and tested by spraying some dwd40 down the pipe.....
Now as the way it was intended the water will drain to the ground....
Vinny

Wednesday 10 December 2008

Petrol and water dont mix in a Ducati 916 bp





Out on the Ducati today when the weather is around 1 deg with frost on the ground. After an hour on the bike i pull in to a petrol station to fill up. As i try to get the key in the petrol cap it has frozen. Gently pushing the key it eventually moves in and i am able to get the cap open and fill up. The cap pops as the pressure of water has frozen around the cap. When i lifted the cap ice could be seen. On return i have taken a picture as the water is still there. It is a common problem that if the drain pipe is blocked, the water will not drain and as you open the cap to fill with petrol the water gets into the tank.....
I plan to use a copper wire to try and clean the pipe, if this does not work it will need stripping of the tank. Not a five minute job.
Vinny

Tuesday 9 December 2008

Ducati 916 biposto oil filter or is it a Citroen 2cv oil filter ?

I had a look online and wanted to find out about the oil filter for my Ducati 916 biposto 1998. I wanted to find all the makes available and the price. A quick search and most sites say that the filter is the same as the Citroen 2cv. As i reach the ufi website, this confirms all the other models that are the same.

http://www.ufi.it/
http://217.141.19.68/uficat/inside.php?IDLingua=1

This confirms with the other links of the amount of different vehicles that will use the same spec product. Its very interesting to find out that the filter will fit so many bikes and cars. Bimota, Harley Davidson to name a few.
There are some interesting debates on some sites which show the filters cut up.

I guess the next move is to buy some oil and change the filter before the due mileage.

and the models covered are listed as

Code 23.105.00 - 443 Applications found
Brand, Model and Version Period
ACME ADX Serie ADX 600 with dry air filter
ACME ADX Serie ADX 740 with dry air filter
ACME ADX Serie ADX 740 with dry air filter
ACME ADX Serie ADX 742 with dry air filter

BIMOTA 1000 666 01/03
BIMOTA 750 DB1Ducati 750 (2 cyl.) 01/85 12/86
BIMOTA 750 DB1 S Ducati 750 (2 cyl.) 01/86 12/87
BIMOTA 750 DB1 SR Ducati 750 (2 cyl.) 01/87 12/89
BIMOTA 900 DB SR IE Ducati 904 01/94 12/96
BIMOTA 900 DB 2 Ducati 904 01/93 12/95
BIMOTA 900 DB 2 EF Ducati 904 01/97 12/98
BIMOTA 900 DB 3 Mantra Ducati 904 01/95 12/98
BIMOTA 900 DB 4 Ducati 904 01/99
BIMOTA 900 DB 4 IE FF 01/00
BIMOTA 900 DB 4 IE HF 01/00
BIMOTA 900 DB 4 IE Semicarenata Ducati 904 01/99
BIMOTA 900 DB 5 01/05
BIMOTA 900 Tesi 1-D EF IE
Ducati 904 01/90 12/91
BIMOTA 900 Tesi 1-D ES IE Ducati 904 01/90 12/91
BIMOTA 900 Tesi 1-D IE Ducati 851 01/90 12/91
BIMOTA 900 Tesi 1-D SR IE Ducati 904 01/91 12/92
BIMOTA 900 Tesi 2D 01/05
BIMOTA 900 Tesi Millennium 01/04
BIMOTA 900 Vyrus 984 C3 2V 01/04

CAGIVA 350 Elefant 350 from engine No. 00768
CAGIVA 350 GT 350 Alazzurra
CAGIVA 350 SXT 350 from frame No. 00768
CAGIVA 650 Elefant 650 from engine No. 01504
CAGIVA 650 SXT 650 from frame No. 01504
CAGIVA 650 TL 650
CAGIVA 650 TL 650 Alazzurra \'84
CAGIVA 750 Alazzurra 750
CAGIVA 750 Elefant 750
CAGIVA 750 Elefant 750 cat 01/93 12/95
CAGIVA 750 Elefant 750 Lucky Explorer
CAGIVA 900 Elefant 900 01/93 12/97
CAGIVA 900 Elefant 900 cat
CAGIVA 900 Elefant 900 E 05/90
CAGIVA 900 Elefant 900 IE GT

CARRARO ANTONIO Tigre Serie 2800 Ducati DM 862
CARRARO ANTONIO Tigre Serie 2800 Giardino Ducati DM 862
CARRARO ANTONIO Tigrecar Serie 2800 Ducati DM 862

CITROEN 2CV 4 2 CV 4 assembly MIOFILTRE 03/70 04/77
CITROEN 2CV 4 2 CV 4 Special assembly MIOFILTRE 05/77 07/79
CITROEN 2CV 6 2 CV 6 assembly MIOFILTRE 03/70 03/77
CITROEN 2CV 6 2 CV 6 Charleston assembly MIOFILTRE 07/80
CITROEN 2CV 6 2 CV 6 Club assembly MIOFILTRE 04/77
CITROEN 2CV 6 2 CV 6 France 3assembly MIOFILTRE 07/80
CITROEN 2CV 6 2 CV 6 Special assembly MIOFILTRE 04/77
CITROEN 2CV 6 2 CV 6 Special E assembly MIOFILTRE 07/80
CITROEN 2CV AK 2CV AK 04/77
CITROEN 2CV AK 2CV AK 05/77
CITROEN 2CV AKB 2CV AKB 07/77
CITROEN 2CV AKB 2CV AKB 05/77
CITROEN 2CV AKF 2CV AKF 04/77
CITROEN 2CV AKF 2CV AKF 05/77

DUCATI 1000 992 ST3 01/04
DUCATI 1000 996 Biposto 01/98 12/01
DUCATI 1000 996 Biposto 01/98 12/01
DUCATI 1000 996 Sport Touring 4S/ABS 01/01 12/03
DUCATI 1000 996 SPS 01/99 12/01
DUCATI 1000 996 SPS 01/99 12/01
DUCATI 1000 996 SPS III 01/99 12/01
DUCATI 1000 996 SPS III 01/99 12/01
DUCATI 1000 996 ST4 S 01/01
DUCATI 1000 996 ST4 S ABS 01/02
DUCATI 1000 996 Two seater USA 01/98 12/01
DUCATI 1000 996 Two seater USA 01/98 12/01
DUCATI 1000 998 01/01 12/05
DUCATI 1000 998 Biposto 01/01 12/05
DUCATI 1000 998 S 01/01 12/05
DUCATI 1000 998 S 01/01 12/05
DUCATI 1000 998 S Bayliss USA 01/01 12/05
DUCATI 1000 998 S Bayliss USA 01/01 12/05
DUCATI 1000 998 S Bostrom USA 01/01 12/05
DUCATI 1000 998 S Final Edition01/04 12/05
DUCATI 1000 999 Biposto01/02
DUCATI 1000 999 R 01/03
DUCATI 1000 999 R Fila 01/04
DUCATI 1000 999 R Xerox 01/06
DUCATI 1000 999 S Superbike 01/03
DUCATI 1000 999 Superbike 01/03
DUCATI 1000 GT 1000 02/06
DUCATI 1000 Monster 1000 Dark 01/03 12/05
DUCATI 1000 Monster 1000 Dark IE 01/03 12/05
DUCATI 1000 Monster 1000 S 01/03 12/05
DUCATI 1000 Monster 1000 S IE 01/03 12/05
DUCATI 1000 Monster 992 S2R 09/05
DUCATI 1000 Monster 996 S4R 04/03 12/06
DUCATI 1000 Monster 998 S4RS 04/06
DUCATI 1000 Multistrada 1000 DS01/03 01/05
DUCATI 1000 NCR 1000 NE
DUCATI 1000 Paul Smart 1000 LE 09/05
DUCATI 1000 Sport 1000 10/06
DUCATI 1000 Sport 1000 S 10/06
DUCATI 1000 Supersport 1000 DS 01/03 12/06
DUCATI 1000 Supersport 1000 IE 01/03 12/06
DUCATI 1100 1098 S Superbike 12/06
DUCATI 1100 1098 S Tricolore Superbike 12/06
DUCATI 1100 1098 Superbike 12/06
DUCATI 1100 Hypermotard 1100 02/07
DUCATI 1100 Hypermotard 1100 S 02/07
DUCATI 1100 Multistrada 1100 09/06
DUCATI 1100 Multistrada 1100 S 09/06
DUCATI 350 350 SL Pantah 01/83 12/83
DUCATI 350 350 Super Sport Junior 01/93 12/94
DUCATI 350 350 TL Pantah 01/83 12/83
DUCATI 350 350 XL Pantah 01/80 12/83
DUCATI 350 Indiana 350 01/87 12/88
DUCATI 400 Monster 400 J 02/05
DUCATI 400 Monster 400 Dark 01/99
DUCATI 400 Monster 400 Dark MY.05 02/05
DUCATI 400 Super Sport Junior 400 01/93 12/97
DUCATI 500 500 L Pantah 01/79 12/82
DUCATI 500 500 SL Pantah 01/79 12/83
DUCATI 500 500 TL Pantah 01/79 12/83
DUCATI 500 Supermono 550 01/93
DUCATI 600 600 L Pantah 01/80 12/82
DUCATI 600 600 SL Pantah 01/83 12/84
DUCATI 600 600 SS 01/94 12/98
DUCATI 600 600 Super Sport 01/91 12/97
DUCATI 600 600 TL Pantah 01/82 12/84
DUCATI 600 M 600 Monster 01/93 12/01
DUCATI 600 M 600 Monster Dark 01/94
DUCATI 600 M 600 Monster Darkcity 01/94
DUCATI 600 Monster 600 IE 01/02
DUCATI 600 Monster 620 Dark MD Monodisco 01/04
DUCATI 600 Monster S2R 01/05
DUCATI 600 Monster S2R Dark 01/05
DUCATI 600 Multistrada 620 01/05
DUCATI 600 Multistrada 620 Dark 01/05
DUCATI 600 Sport 620
DUCATI 650 Indiana 650 01/87 12/88
DUCATI 650 Pandit 650 SL 01/86 12/88
DUCATI 700 Monster 695 03/06
DUCATI 700 Monster 696 01/08
DUCATI 750 748 BipostoH3 01/95 12/03
DUCATI 750 748 BipostoH3 01/95 12/03
DUCATI 750 748 Monoposto 01/95 12/03
DUCATI 750 748 Monoposto 01/95 12/03
DUCATI 750 748 R 01/00 12/03
DUCATI 750 748 R 01/00 12/03
DUCATI 750 748 S 01/97 12/03
DUCATI 750 748 S 01/97 12/03
DUCATI 750 748 SP 01/95 12/99
DUCATI 750 748 SP 01/95 12/03
DUCATI 750 748 SPS 01/95 12/99
DUCATI 750 748 SPS 01/95 12/99
DUCATI 750 748 Testastretta
DUCATI 750 749
DUCATI 750 749 Dark 01/04
DUCATI 750 749 R 01/04
DUCATI 750 749 S Superbike 01/03
DUCATI 750 749 Superbike 01/03
DUCATI 750 750 SS Super Sport 01/91 12/94
DUCATI 750 750 SS Super Sport carenata 01/91
DUCATI 750 F1-750 01/84 12/90
DUCATI 750 F1-750 Montjuich 01/84 12/90
DUCATI 750 Indiana 750 01/87 12/90
DUCATI 750 Laguna Seca 750 01/87 12/88
DUCATI 750 Monster 750 M 01/96 12/01
DUCATI 750 Monster Dark 750 01/99 12/02
DUCATI 750 Paso 750 01/84 12/90
DUCATI 750 Paso 750 LTD 01/84 12/90
DUCATI 750 Santa Monica 750 01/87 12/88
DUCATI 750 Sport 750 01/84 12/90
DUCATI 750 Supersport 750 IE 01/99
DUCATI 800 Monster 800 Dark
DUCATI 800 Monster 800 Dark IE 01/02
DUCATI 800 Monster 800 IE 06/02
DUCATI 800 Monster 800 S
DUCATI 800 Monster 800 S IE USA 06/02
DUCATI 800 Monster 800 S2R 12/04
DUCATI 800 Monster 800 S2R Dark 12/04
DUCATI 800 SP-2 01/90 12/93
DUCATI 800 Sport 800
DUCATI 800 Sport Nuda 800
DUCATI 800 Superbike 848 07/07
DUCATI 800 Supersport 800 IE 01/03
DUCATI 800 Supersport 800 SS
DUCATI 900 851 S 1st series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 S 2nd series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 SP 1st series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 SP 2nd series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 SP2 1st series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 SP2 2nd series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 SP3 1st series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 SP3 2nd series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 Sport Production 1st series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 Sport Production 2nd series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 SS 1st series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 SS 2nd series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 SS Racing 1st series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 SS Racing 2nd series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 SS Superbike 1st series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 SS Superbike 2nd series 12/92
DUCATI 900 851 Strada01/89 12/93
DUCATI 900 888 Biposto
DUCATI 900 888 Racing 01/92 12/93
DUCATI 900 888 SP4
DUCATI 900 888 SP5 01/92 12/93
DUCATI 900 888 Strada 01/92 12/93
DUCATI 900 900 Super Light 01/92 12/97
DUCATI 900 900 Super Sport 12/97
DUCATI 900 907 IE 01/90 12/93
DUCATI 900 907 IE GT 12/93
DUCATI 900 916 01/94
DUCATI 900 916 Biposto 01/95 12/98
DUCATI 900 916 Monoposto 01/95
DUCATI 900 916 Senna 01/96
DUCATI 900 916 SP 01/94
DUCATI 900 916 SP 01/94
DUCATI 900 916 SPS 01/94
DUCATI 900 916 Strada 01/94
DUCATI 900 M 900 ie Cromo Monster 01/99
DUCATI 900 M 900 ie Dark Monster 01/99
DUCATI 900 M 900 ie Monster 01/99
DUCATI 900 M 900 Monster to engine No. 004462 12/93
DUCATI 900 M 900 Monster from engine No. 004463 01/94
DUCATI 900 M 900 S ie Monster 01/99
DUCATI 900 MH 900 Evoluzione 05/01
DUCATI 900 Monster 916 S4 05/01
DUCATI 900 Monster S4 R 01/03
DUCATI 900 Paso 906 01/88 12/91
DUCATI 900 Paso 907 IE 01/90 12/93
DUCATI 900 Sport 900
DUCATI 900 SS 900 IE 01/98 12/02
DUCATI 900 ST2 IE (944) 01/97 12/01
DUCATI 900 ST4 IE (916) 01/98 12/01

DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION DDD Serie DDD
some
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION DM Serie DM 284 HI
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION DM Serie DM 284 HP
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION DM Serie DM 862
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie 2 IS 22
or
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie 2 IS 22
some
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie 2 IS 22 N
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie 2 IS 24
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie 2 IS 24
or
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie 2 IS 24 N
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie 2 IS 593
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie 2 IS 654
or
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie IS 11
or
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie IS 16
some
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie IS 18
or
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie IS 20
some
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie IS 21
or
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie IS 21 S 593
or
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie IS 22 S 522
or
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie IS 652
or
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie IS 9
some
DUCATI DIESEL DIVISION IS Serie IS24
or
GILERA 125 125 Arcore 12/79
GILERA 150 150 Arcore 12/79
HARLEY DAVIDSON 1000 XLH 1000

with HARLEY DAVIDSON 63810-80 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1000 XLS 1000 with HARLEY DAVIDSON 63810-80

MOSA MS Serie MS 270 M/2 Ducati IS 16 MOSA MS Serie MS 270 M/2 Ducati IS 16


Code 23.105.00 - 117 Cross-references found
Code Manufacturer O.E.
090549960 CAGIVA
5427744T CITROEN AM226A CITROEN AM222-128A CITROEN 75491083 CITROEN 5436642 CITROEN AM223-101A CITROEN 75491083A CITROEN 5487068 CITROEN AM223-104A CITROEN 75518393 CITROEN
5491083 CITROEN 5427744 CITROEN AM223-105A CITROEN 9401109798 CITROEN 5491083K CITROEN
0651.49.960 DUCATI 0905.49.960 DUCATI
090549960 DUCATI (MOTO) 44440031A DUCATI (MOTO) 44440034A DUCATI (MOTO) 065149960 DUCATI (MOTO)
5002731 FORD 5006947 FORD 5013144 FORD 5002394 FORD 5002452 FORD
7984608 GENERAL MOTORS
400066 GILERA G400066 GILERA
63810-80 HARLEY DAVIDSON
1109-79 PEUGEOT 1109-74 PEUGEOT
0012851491 TALBOT 0061501500 TALBOT 29932M TALBOT 0001285149/1 TALBOT
X4A AC DELCO
112 AGIP PETROLI
SP817 ALCO SP833 ALCO
0 451 103 020 BOSCH 9 457 281 290 BOSCH 0 451 103 042 BOSCH H02 BOSCH
0 451 103 129 BOSCH 0 451 103 010 BOSCH O220 BOSCH
0 451 103 139 BOSCH 0 451 103 015 BOSCH
P3139 BOSCH 9 450 732 004 BOSCH
H101 CHAMPION H301 CHAMPION
DO284/B CLEAN FILTERS
Z102 COOPERS Z64 COOPERS
631 CROSLAND 673 CROSLAND
43.10.64 DONIT 43.10.27 DONIT
OR528 FAPOFIL
FT4847 FIAAM FT5451 FIAAM FT4654 FIAAM
OP554 FILTRON
FOE165 FISPA FOE232 FISPA
PH2864A FRAM PH6074 FRAM PH2839 FRAM
CLH337/1 GIESSE FILTRI CLH404/1 GIESSE FILTRI
H91W HENGST
HF153 HIFLOFILTRO
OC10 KNECHT-MAHLE OC5 KNECHT-MAHLE
L77 KRALINATOR
167-OS KS
MH327 M-FILTER
MW713 MANN+HUMMEL W712/11 MANN+HUMMEL W712/9 MANN+HUMMEL
ELH4106 MECAFILTER ELH4061 MECAFILTER ELH4084 MECAFILTER
VFL111 MOTAQUIP VFL120 MOTAQUIP VFL209 MOTAQUIP
EFL111 MOTORCRAFT EFL112 MOTORCRAFT EFL121 MOTORCRAFT EFL47 MOTORCRAFT
8671002061 MOTRIO
BC1068 PBR BC1109 PBR BC1124 PBR BC1129 PBR
LS131 PURFLUX LS131A PURFLUX LS187 PURFLUX
L17103 PUROLATOR ML17601 PUROLATOR
Z315 RYCO
S 2100 R SOFIMA
CV341 SOPARIS (OLD REF.) CV377 SOPARIS (OLD REF.)
50.032.278 TARGA SERVICE 50.032.282 TARGA SERVICE
R72 TECNOCAR R12 TECNOCAR R434 TECNOCAR
OK29 TEHO FILTER
LI774/9 UNICO FILTER LI779/11 UNICO FILTER
GFE201 UNIPART
CA111 WIPAC


and lots more. check the website to make sure your model is covered...

Sunday 7 December 2008

Ducati 916 biposto reliable or unreliable??


Its takes a long time to get rid of a bad name as when ever i discuss my bike with friends the conversation leads to Italian bikes that are unreliable but today the weather is only 4 degrees, the bike has been outside in the garden without being started for a few weeks. One press of the button and as the engine turns over a few times it fires into life. The only worry is that the keys imoboliser battery could go flat, then it would not start...

Thursday 20 November 2008

Rossi or Stoner on a Ducati

First sign of good weather and I decided to take the bike to Hastings for a ride. As I get on the bike I see the roads are still a bit damp and also my confidence is low. I slow down on the corners. I must be thinking about the tv ads showing accidents and the last thing I want to do is skid down the road. As I take it easy and the miles rack up my confidence grows. The corners become faster. I am thinking now of the you tube video I was watching which shows how Valentino Rossi approaches races, his particular style in corners, in learning the track, in looking for markers, in style and even how on the straight he will lift his body to add aerodynamic aid to slipping through the air. I am not saying that I am racing and trying to eek out every last tenth of a second. Just enjoying my ride in the sunshine...Although I must have been watching to many Moto GP races. As I approach a corner I think of the correct line, look for a marker, try to straighten the corner and lean off the bike and smoothly plant the bike with markers visible. One thing to plan for next year has to be a track day. This will definitely help to open up the bike with no fear of cars pulling out, falling off or exceeding the speed limit.

If Rossi drove with Stoner on Ducati bikes I wonder who would be the fastest....

Sunday 19 October 2008

wheres the sun



The mileage is 24251. So far driven in all weathers although looking out today I could be tempted to go out for a ride but after cleaning the bike i leave it under cover.

Next on the service list is to change the cam belts this year. Ducati recommend every two years. Mine was fitted at least two years ago so is due to be changed. The web has loads of helpful links to show how to change....

Vinny

Monday 15 September 2008



Travelling along the M4 motorway, I felt the front end rumble as though I had a puncture. As i stopped and checked the bike I could not find anything. As I moved on again I heard a noise from the front wheel. As I reached home I could tell the squeak was from the front wheel bearing. On closer inspection several of the bearings had disappeared.




I then had to set up the bike so I could remove the front wheel, with the help of the garden swing minus the chair. The frame and a couple of straps maintained the front wheel in the air.

With a trip to Pats at Viking motorcycles 02086719915. Pat removed the old bearings and installed the new 6005 2rs. I put back the wheel in the bike and its ready for another day...
Vinny

Sunday 31 August 2008

tyre pressures need checking


As you can see my front tyre pressure was low. In the manual it states 2.2 bar front and 2.4 rear. Both were down by several. Hopefully this will improve ride and feedback. I guess with the bike standing it is just a general loss.....
Vinny

Wednesday 27 August 2008

I keep saying its no good standing still


I have in the past bought low mileage bikes which have had issues. One bike as it had been standing outside the rear suspension rod had rusted. After a little use the seal went and the shock was no good. Which brings meemories as i now look at my bike and as it has been outside for four weeks. I can see on the aluminium the white dust starting to appear and that i have not been out on the bike. After the install of new pads and brake fluid the brakes need to be beaded in. I have cleaned the bike and sprayed with a wd40 type fluid. The miles are 23k and trying to turn the bike over was a bit slow. It fired into life....

Friday 22 August 2008

Maintenance Ducati style good or bad

Have treated the bike to new pads all round. When i put the bike in for mot the pads were mentioned. Now a few thousand miles further they needed replacing.
I took the calipers off and cleaned all around each piston. Also cleaned where the brake pads fit against the caliper. As this can cause the pads to stick. Renewed the brake fluid completly. Silicon grease around the pistons individually.
My rear pads have also been replaced. The pads started to stick due to muck in the caliper area. This is easily removed with degreaser and a old toothbrush.
Now both front and rear brakes seem to be improved. The cleaning helping them to perform as they should.
Vinny

Monday 30 June 2008

The advantage of a Ducati dry clutch, even with clatter noise

Last week on the way home, I started to hear noises from my clutch area. If you have heard a Ducati close up. This is not unusual, but for me the noise was slightly mechanical when pulling the lever in. A few more miles and the bike jumped unusually. The clutch lever became locked and I could not use the clutch.
I pulled up at the side of the road. Took out my tool kit and started to investigate. I took off the side fairing, 6 dzuzs pins, 5 allen screws to show the clutch cover.
In one way it is a advantage, with all the bikes I have owned if there is a problem with the clutch it means you are stranded. Although in my history of bikes it has only been slipping plates.
As I pulled the parts off I could see the issue. The 6 allen bolts holding the springs on the retaining plate removed. The clutch centre nut had loosened. This had caused the clutch plates to work their way out of the clutch basket.
As I hand tightened the clutch nut. Put all the parts together, I made my way home.

A visit to Pats in Herne Hill after checking the torque value from the Ducati manual. 180 to 190 nms with loctite. The whole job probably took 30 mins and with the nut at the correct torque and with plenty of loctite. I look forward to hearing only the clatter of the dry clutch, not the clutch lever refusing to dis-engage.

Vinny

Wednesday 4 June 2008


Its fixed now, i have had a new stator fitted at Pats viking motorcycles. O208 671 9915. The voltage at the battery is now around 13 volts. That's higher than its ever been since i owned the bike. I know now there is very little chance that the battery will loose its charge now.

Vinny


Saturday 31 May 2008

Ducati alternator windings or should i say starting problem














It started a while ago. I would return from work, switch the bike off to open the gate. Try to start the bike and it would not turn over. The battery was flat, quick check and it was only 11 volts. Checked charging voltage on the battery terminals and only 12.2 volts. Less with the lights on.




Started to investigate the connections from the alternator and they are discoloured. Not a good sign. Although if its the issue then success. Tried cleaning all the connections reconnecting, checked voltage still no good.

Posts up on the Ducati site for help, Lots of advice, battery possibly, voltage regulator and alternator, stator etc.

With the help of a forum user, checked the output from the alternator by disconnecting the two yellow wires, placing a meter on the end and checking the output. Also to check the ohms resistance between each wire and to earth. The ohms values seem to be in range. 0.03 between each wire and no leakage to earth.......but the output is OK so that must mean the regulator rectifier is faulty.


Mike was brilliant, i had ordered a voltage regulator, forgot that the block connector is burnt and the connectors discoloured. Mentioned this and a new one arrived the next day in the post. If only all companies acted this way.

A few days later, the new voltage regulator back on. picture shows new connectors also with Mikes advice i solder the connectors. Took time to crimp the new connector. Checked the output and still not over 12.4 volts charging. I have made a mistake.

Now i phone Pat at Viking motorcycles. He tells me to check the output values with the workshop manual.

Check the values and i find....
The readings from the alternator should be only 0.2 to 0.4 ohms. Previous readings differ.
The output from the alternator should be
35 volts at 1500 revs
70 volts at 3000 revs
140 volts at 7000 revs

From memory i could only achieve around 20 volts on tick over and a maximum of 40 volts.......Now i wished i had taken time to read the manual and to discus the issue with Pat first. It could have saved me spending some money and trying to pinpoint the outcome.

moral of the story
take time to research the correct values and how to check. Save yourself some money.




Tuesday 13 May 2008

i have to blame the japanese gs battery

After the ride home from work, 45 mile journey. Park up and try to start the bike. It would not turn over. seems strange that after a such a long journey, where it would have time to charge that the battery is flat. voltage is low, less than 12v.
charged the battery overnight and the following day it starts no problem.
a couple of checks with a voltage meter and the volts vary when the alarm is triggered. need to investigate further. seems as though the battery is faulty or the datatool alarm is draining the battery..

Thursday 8 May 2008

back to basics / tyre pressures

There is the feeling that with any fix, always start with the basics.
I looked at my bike and the rear tyre looked low. Touching the side wall i could tell the pressure was low. Next i turned the wheel checking the grooves and found a rusty nail.
The cause of my handling although now i still need to set the shocks as i have started to change the settings.
So, start with the basics is my advice. I assumed it was the shock rushed in and forgot to check the pressures. I guess one of the first things. Also my front tyre pressure is low. The biposto should be 2.2 and rear 2.4. I found only 24lbs in the front and 22lbs in the rear.
Vinny

Monday 28 April 2008

Its dancing and it is not supposed to ! Handling / Weaving

The bike has started to weave, dance like i am on ice in corners. I feel its my mistake as i played with the settings on the rear shock. This has caused the resistance to lessen to the point, it gives no resistance. Today after turning the resistance up. The shock now works.
I need to investigate how to set up the shock now. For my weight and riding style. Will post some pictures soon.
Vinny

Wednesday 9 April 2008

if you want to buy a ducati. have a look at this guy. its not a 916 but a relation. the hypermotard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXyV8JUj8m0
Vinny

Thursday 13 March 2008

How many times have you heard its supposed to do that


In one way it is good, in another I am not happy. The gales on Sunday must have picked up my bike cover like a parachute. Pulled the bike over and hit the patio table.....


Its good that the mirrors are held on by a screw that the head shears. Thanks to Rob at pro twins for the info.


So to get my bike back on the road I have fitted a new front brake lever and screw for the mirror.


Although I would have preferred if the bike had not fallen over.


Other damage includes the top fairing is cracked under the mirror, the lower fairing has a bit of plastic missing, the clutch cover was dented slightly. The seat has a tear.


I have decided to try and source the parts second hand.


pic shows the screw with sheared head. A part of my fairing and the broken lever.


Vinny


Monday 3 March 2008

Its a pain in the wrist but its a Ducati with low bars


I found i had problems in my wrist, a twinge when turning my hand up. Only recently i have understood what caused it.

Sitting on the bike, I have been leaning forward. All my weight on the wrists, due to the low down stance of the bike bars.
Speaking to Pat a while ago and reading articles on the net. I found it is a good idea when out on the bike to grip the tank, pull your upper body up with your stomach muscles and lightly hold the steering.
This has helped as:
I travel over an hour to work and have found my wrist pain is slightly easing, my journeys on the bike pleasant with no issues after.

Next item is to reduce the pressure needed to pull the clutch in on the bike, I guess this is another issue adding to the arm. Also to try another riding style.
To use the clutch less, change up gears with out the clutch. Have discussed this with others on the net. The others agreeing that if the power is off the bike at the time of changing gears, it should be smooth and no damage long term......

Vinny

The Ducati keeps going


I have added a picture to show the present miles. 20574 miles and no problems. Its cold outside, talk of snow but with a press of the starter button. It turns over and fires.

Thursday 14 February 2008

its a common fault and it cost 35 pence

Again I started to hear the same noise. A squeal like a mouse. I knew there was something wrong. Slightly upset as I want to ride the bike not work on it.

I knew it needed looking at. I drove to Pats at Herne HIll. Pat had a listen. The noise was located on the inspection cover of the crankshaft, the stator side.

We stripped the cover off as previous pictures. Drained oil and water.

With the cover off. Pat turned over the engine. I could see the crankshaft turn out of true. With all the parts removed I could see a shim had broke. This had caused the crank end to run out of true.


Previously repairing the sprag clutch. I had taken off the stator. When I re tightened. I heard a ping noise. I thought it had jumped the spline. now I know....

Its a common issue, the Ducati tech replied. I asked pro twins if they had spares in stock. Located a shim and bearing. Advice from Rob was to put grease on the shim. So that when the parts are put together. The shim does not drop.

Now a new shim 35p, another stator bearing for £5.00 and 2 hours labour with Pat.

The bike is back together.

Hopefully the next update. Will be just about the miles increasing with no issues...Now its 20,000 miles.. when i bought the bike it had 14,000.
Vinny