| Author | Message | ||
     Interex2050 |
Harlan, Fortunately the 996 were notorious for the flaking followers. Zack, Strange isn't it... But I am looking forward to do the valve adjustments, it much nicer then on most other things. Not to mention no need to drop the engine as often (for regular maintenance). David, I am rather nervous myself, we shall see. My friend who is letting me borrow some money, has an S4 (same 916 engine, and it really has been the only reliable motorcycle in our group), and he is the one who is basically forcing me to get it. | ||
| Ccryder |
Del: IIRC you don't have to drop/ rotate the engine for valve adjustment but you may have to remove the heads? Desmo valve trains are great for controlling the valves but, adjusting the clearances can be a little tricky and changing belts needs to be done on a specific schedule. If you break a belt, valves can be bent and other expensive things can be damaged. Where is our resident Ducati Guru when we need him???? Time2Work Neil S. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Interex, I was looking at a 916 before the 1125r came out and I am pretty sure it had flaking issue. Here is an excerpt from a ducati messageboard--the link to the entire article is at the end of this post. Very interesting, esp. if you are this close to buying a 916. THere is more information further down in the thread, as the main article elicited more detailed questions and answers. "Rockers ? On post-1996 models, the rocker arms of the valve system are prone to flaking their chrome. The rockers are coated in chrome where they contact with the camshaft lobes, and it?s here that the chrome will wear, pit, and eventually flake off, leading to camshaft damage and flakes clogging the oil system. The only solution is to buy aftermarket hard-chromed items from MBP or Megacycle to replace flaking rockers ? buying OEM rockers will not fix the problem and they WILL simply flake again, no matter what the dealer tells you. To check for the rocker arm problem, pull out the handy oil strainer on the right side of the motor above the drain plug and look for chrome flakes. If there are flakes, you need to open the heads and take out the cams to check the rocker surfaces to know which ones need replacing. If you don?t find flakes, you can probably rest easy, but they should be verified at every valve adjustment regardless." http://www.ducatimonster.org/smf/index.php?topic=7 6534.0 (Message edited by fresnobuell on March 31, 2008) | ||
| Interex2050 |
I have read all of those... And have pretended that they don't exist, or perhaps that I will get lucky... Dan, whom is letting me borrow the extra funds, thinks that I have some sort of Buell curse... But I really think that he will end up with that 916 in very short order. My heart screams YES to the Ducati, but my mind is troubled... | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Glad to hear that you have done your pre-purchase research. Good luck with whatever you decide to buy. | ||
| Ccryder |
Del: Research is free, if done before hand. It can Cost BIG $'s if done after the fact! Join some of the Ducati forums and see what they are seeing/ thinking. You really should make sure the water is deep enough before you dive in. It is that sudden stop that hurts the most. Neil S. | ||
| 2kx1 |
Interex, The rockers do flake on the Desmoquattro motors, however, you can reduce the wear on the motor by letting it warm up for at LEAST a minute,and preferably twominutes before a proper caning. Most bike have had rockers replaced and if yours does indeed need them, there are replacements available from Desmotimes. I would highly recommend a manual from desmotimes as well as the shop manual. After the 12K service the valves seldom need any further adjustment. I would also recommend a heavy guage wire kit for the starter as it really makes a big difference. Check out Ducati.ms all kinds of info there. | ||
| Ducxl |
Belt changes are fun.I equip with the best tools possible to make the experience more fun  I did/replaced three opening rockers a couple years ago.   | ||
| Ducxl |
you do not need to remove the heads for maintainance/adjustment.THe cams fall out pretty easily too! | ||
| Gtmg |
Interex not knocking the Ducati but aren't you using this as a commuter. From a reliability standpoint the SV beats the Duc hands down. I know it does not sound as cool to say you have an SV but it is a great ride. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Thanks Ducxl, I was puzzled as to why the heads would come off for valve adjustment. I couldn't figure out any reason why. | ||
| Interex2050 |
Isn't she gorgeous!    Well now that the rush to get her is over... I can slow down and think things over a bit I may keep her, may not Either way she needed to end up between me and my friend. With the extended ride home in traffic, she did not mind one bit. Temp never got over 200 Still lots to think about... We shall see Well I am off back outside to tinker | ||
| Interex2050 |
Funny thing I forgot to mention... At the gas station I dropped the key, into the "abyss" between the tank and the overflow reservoir... That was a fun 30 minutes trying to locate it. | ||
| Ccryder |
Pretty, very pretty, enjoy the ride! Neil | ||
| Ducxl |
Awesome ride there Del.I once dropped the key into that abyss.You don't tend to repeat things like that.Interested in a set of Marchesini 5 spokers to replace them Brembos? Cool Mono-Posto | ||
| Spectrum |
Hey isn't that the bike from the movie Italian Job?  | ||
| Spatten1 |
WOW!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Brad1445 |
Interex., You have a dead sexy bike there! Enjoy! | ||
| Interex2050 |
Many thanks! The Marchesini 5 spokers are so pretty... Tempting, how much? Although first I need to: -New tires -Remount front turn signals -Relocate rear turn signals to "stock location" -Oil change and check the oil pick-up for flakes/and other unpleasant things -Get her registered -Clean and grease all connectors Second stage (if I decide to keep her): -Check the valve clearance -Check recall status -Replace the galley plug with a steel one -New belts I am so excited to work on her... Although I need to be realistic and see if I will have the time... She would make a great "hobby" Edit: She also has a 42 tooth rear sprocket, which is why the gearing seems to be much better suited to street riding then stock And some Heli bars + Corbin seat make her even more comfy Edit-2: I also need to rebuild the forks/shock And respring them for my weight Because at 155lbs the forks do not know I am even there... (Message edited by interex2050 on April 01, 2008) | ||
| New12r |
Nice ride, I rode one back to back to back with the 1125R and an R1 this weekend. | ||
| Ducxl |
So....What's your assessment? What did you think? | ||
| Slaughter |
Interesting - the Ducati have such a reputation for coming with suspension too "soft" If you need to go anywhere, MotoForza (formerly Ducati of Oceanside) is a great shop in Escondido. They also sponsored Kenny Kopecky at Willow. That was Kenny's #1 bike in the Ducati booth in 2006 at the Long Beach IMS. | ||
| Brad1445 |
Interesting - the Ducati have such a reputation for coming with suspension too "soft" ________________________________ Not my 999, ow | ||
| Fresnobuell |
THere is red one for sale here locally in case anyone got the bug from that yellow beauty. The owner WILL NOT let anyone test ride it (even if they show up at his house on a Buell, show him current full coverage insurance proof and M1 endorsement, offer to let him keep the keep the key to the Buell key and follow the person on the test ride). I dunno maybe he just hates Buells. | ||
| Interex2050 |
Anyone know where to find a tail-"un"tidy? I need something that has the ability to mount the license plate, light, and turn signals... My 916 has the eliminator kit which puts the turn signals behind the tail grills making them entirely useless... For the front turn signals... I need to buy a set of signals and either figure out a way to mount them somewhere (without drilling the into the fairing) or reinstall the factory intakes (I think I will do the latter) | ||
| Interex2050 |
Success! The individual who changed the suspension settings before me must have had the intelligence of a walnut... The compression was dialed all the way in no wonder the forks did not acknowledge me... So the combination of factory suspension settings and new Pirelli Diablo tires this thing is stunning when it comes to cornering... Even more so then before! | ||
| Interex2050 |
Stock license plate bracket and turn signals on the way! Can't wait to register it! | ||
| Baggermike |
I got an xbr license plate mount and put a piece of metal to close up the hole in the bottom seat pan and then got long bolts and spacers so I could mount the whole thing together and is a nice setup, I got a lighted license plate frame and waiting on my tail light. Mike | ||
| Interex2050 |
Thanks for the tip Mike, but I do not think I will see "my" 1125R again aside from the Glendale Pits at trackdays. The 916 has a strange setup...  The turn signals are located behind the grills in the circled vents Sleek maybe, but they are not very visible. | ||
| Baggermike |
Nice looking bike Interex they have two small led light blocks that hold eight lights a piece and flash as you hit the brakes and go on each side of the license plate, you can get them as turn signals to. check out www.cyclegadgets.com for hyperlights |
