Valve adjustments and checks need doing on my 600ss. Obviously a time consuming job which will cost a few hundred quid. With finances being a bit tight in this day and, age how much of a job for an amateur like me to do?
what kind of maintenance have you tackled in the past? - I think you will be fine armed with a Haynes, (not perfect but better than nothing) a few YouTube clips, (will find them for you if no-one else does) some encouragement from this Forum and a dozen or so cups of Tea There are slightly different approaches to the job depending how fussy you are so will see what appears in the morning before adding
If I'm not losing my marbles, you bought Ducbird's 600 didn't you? And did you ride it home when you bought it? If that's the case, I'm surprised that you need to check valve clearances etc, because as far as I was aware, the bike has been looked after well and was in good running order..... ....I am aware it had been standing for a while, but that would have had no effect on valve clearances. AL
No you're not loosing your marbles Al!! But no I didn't ride her home, I thought that Hereford to Cornwall might have been a bit risky considering she'd been sat for a while. Yep she certainly was looked after well, flew through the MOT. I changed belts, plugs, filters and oil. Apart from the minor problem I had last week, I can't fault her.....apart from a pronounced knocking from the front cylinder (I think). It was the chap who carried out the MOT who suggested the valves? Not a problem I've had with my previous SS'.
Front cylinder knocking? Is it a knocking or a tapping? Knocking suggests piston slap, and again, I would be surprised if it was that on that bike. I assume you have got the right spark plugs......don't really want one bashing the piston because it is too long. The Champion reference is an RA4HC. FYI...my engine is mechanically noisy compared with some, but I am working on the basis that as it is relatively low mileage since I got it and the previous owner had a major service by a Ducati specialist not long before I got it, I'm leaving the engine well alone....after all if I can do 100-200 mile trips at varying speeds and revs (still being a bit lairy on the throttle), if it was going to blow it would have done by now***......... ***.........now where's that piece of wood, I can touch? I missed what the running problem was.....what was it then? AL
All the 600ss have piston slap.. Its normal. The engines are bullet proof. This was sorted on the later monsters using new type pistons.
Certainly more of a knock than a tap. Piston slap was my original theory but it was the MOT mechanic who advised valves rather than piston.....am I right in saying that if it is piston slap then it quietens down once the engine gets hot?
It's always made the noise and I was assured that it's fine and the early SS do tend to have a tap tap tap Is the tester familiar with them because it seems silly to go to the expense if it's normal. PM Ghost and have a word
You want to be at a dd race round when everyone is warming up the engines on class b 583cc bikes. The more slapping the faster the bike and im not joking. Lol I have witnessed a big end letting go on one and believe me it made a aweful knocking noise.
A tap is to one that a knock is to another Viv!! Just a bit concerned it's more than it is, my 1st 600 was a complete pig if you remember from the the ol' Ducatisti days lol! But despite 30k on the clock from an M reg, the engine sounded as sweet as a nut. My tester isn't a duke pro, far from it but he's looked after my 3 previous Dukes, he certainly knows his stuff.
Oooo I know Cornish was trying to help as I have heard what she sounds like. I want to save you money if I can too.
Just get on ride it........................If it blows up, Phil (Ghost) has got a good engine for sale..... AL
I'd like to rectify if financially viable. What's the solution? Piston, Barrel or both??? Or is it a bit more complicated than that?
Yup, even 750's and 900's can suffer from it. My 900 is a little slappy cold, but it goes after 2 or 3 miles.(24,000 miles on the clock) It's just a characteristic of the engine. Ear plugs help, but its also that its echoing off the fairing too - you can only really hear it sat on the bike.
Cornish duke You say that you would like to get rid of the slap if financially viable. Imola says that the slap was sorted on later monsters by using new type pistons, so if you really don't like the slap, that sounds like the way forward.
Valve check & adjustment vid from Chris Kelly's (California Cyckleworks) old site: Ducati 900SS Tune and service info Easy enough. Just don't attempt it outside in the snow! And don't drop the half-rings down the oil galley hole.
And don't drop the half-rings down the oil galley hole.[/QUOTE] Ear plugs are good to block the oil galley holes.
