Hi All, Back in late 2019 I picked up an unmodified 748BP but very much unloved. Finally, I have managed to settle in to my new home after being a nomad from years of working away offshore and got it back from storage. I need to drop the engine out and have the whole frame and swing-arm re-sprayed as its covered with micro-corrosion. Is there any hints and tips I should know before I start to drop the engine out? I have seen some posts on coatings for engines as mine also needs some TLC before I put it back in. Belts have just been done by my local bike specialist. I tried to find the thread but cant find it for the life of me looking. Any help would be most welcome Many thanks Keith
1. shed loads of pictures as you take anything off 2. shed loads of PlusGas before attempting any bolt 3. be prepared to spend a lot of time on the the swingarm bolt you'll need to replace a fair amount of seals, bearings etc, dont assume that anything on ebay is cheaper than OEM, some are but always worth checking in respect of painting, i've seen a few things where people have done it with the engine together, this guy for one (and it was pretty impressive too) https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/my-new-748-project.82916/page-2 i currently have a couple of 996 cases fully stripped which i'm going to paint, i've also got a 916 which i want to paint but not sure if i want to strip the cases if i can help it, but i keep thinking it's the right thing to do
Brilliant, thank you for the link. This is definitely something aspire to! Looking at the wooden frame, that is a must to do what i need to on the engine. I shall order a case of PlusGas and will take many photos as I am going. I have been bagging parts that have been coming off in Ikea ziplock bags with a note inside as to what and where they come off the bike. It all seemed a simple idea at the time..... Many thanks Keith
Plus one re budget ^ worth checking out Desmoworx on YouTube too, in particular his 748 thunderbike build playlist. It’s a lot about the engine but plenty of other stuff on there about frame etc and don’t forget plenty of pics and a thread on here
noted Just sold a rifle thats been in the safe for 5 years without being shot, so thats given me 1200 notes to use. I got the bike for 2k so it was a bit of a bargain....
go on Amazon and Buy a box of small baggies ( clear plastic with push together tops) and some post-it's my last Panigale strip down was soo much easier than a box of bolts when re-assembling
I have Ikea zip lock bags, about 200. Some sharpie pens and a stack of post-it notes. Hopefully that should do it
+1 on the pictures, you can’t take enough sir. I’ve done a similar thing with an 02 748s, I’ve cheated though, done as much as I could then enlisted the help of Mark at BSD in Eye, it’s gone from a rolling chassis to MOT in a fortnight. This year I’ll ride and enjoy (if we’re ever allowed) next winter I’ll get the engine cases done, frame and bolts replated. Things like forks, injectors etc are beyond my skill and patience threshold. You may be different but I had to quickly run an ambition vs ability equation in the mirror. I built a BMW R80 from a rust bucket, crank up and that took 2 years and 3 times the amount I thought it would, totally worth it in the end mind. All the best keep us posted.
I'd agree with what's been said here. When you are comfortable with everything they're fairly simple bikes and engines. I also agree with watching DesmoWerx channel's Thunderbike build series. Invaluable tutorial and we'll produced too. I've had my 748 engine out a couple of times in the last few years. From what you have said about its condition I don't envy your task with the swing arm pivot bolt. You will need to load that up with that Plusgas stuff and you will need to get a proper drift tool. I had one made up in aluminium. You can also buy them sometimes. It's impossible to move that bolt without one. There is detail in this forum for the dimensions to have one turned out for you Good luck
Cool, will do. I found the PDF plans for one on a ducati forum (cant remember which one) yesterday, so will get one turned out this week. I have 6 tins of PlusGas being delivered today and a few other bits and bobs. I hope the swing arm bolt plays ball :/
So....In between trying to manage multiple offshore operations from home in NZ, Oz, Saudi and the whole east coast of Africa from Cape town to Oman (my passport thinks I have been abducted), I have had 3 evenings of play time stripping the 748. Worst bit so far...the coolant fluid went everywhere as my son (12 years old) got his baffs in the way and kicked the bucket over......he deserved to stink of it afterwards. Tomorrow is the removal of the front forks, rear suspension and rear hub, throttle body, electrics and then the frame. A very nice chap on here is posting me a swing arm pivot removal tool (Thanks Rob!) so I will let you know if there is any huffing and cussing (or if i need a bigger hammer). P.S. Excuse the heath robinson engine support. I designed it to keep at the level as to where the paddock stand was and the front wheel. Fingers crossed with the over head rigging I can just lower the frame back on it and go from there on the re-build (he says!)
Nice work mate. Just when you think the coolant is empty you’ll find more pissing out all over the place, that shit just keeps on giving.... what’s your plans for the shock, looks like it could do with a little make over?
As others have said, a lot depends on your free time and your budget. With respect to the engine cases there are several options out there. If you want complete durability and a superb finish then Cerakoting is the only way to go. It is not cheap, never has been, but it is bombproof, so you do get what you pay for. A lot of people go for the leave the engine together VHT spray can method which looks OK but hasn't got the chemical composition or application protocol, that will see it last much beyond a year or two from when it was first applied. Most either don't bother or don't believe in the merits of an etch primer (especially on aluminium casings), so the paint has a good key to grip.
It went everywhere and kept on giving, bloody stuff. I have a local specialist who refurbs suspensions, so both the rear and the front forks are off for a bit of TLC. I best sell the other two rifles that I have not used in the past 5 years......
I had a look for this fabled cerakoting on the forums, found the place that it came from, but they dont seem to exist these days. Can someone point me in the right direction? As its the way that i would want to go for engine casing protection. I was going for an etch primer to get the adhesion I needed on the casings. Is there any particular etcher you would recommend? Many thanks Keith
Not from personal experience, but that of seeing loads of rebuild threads, I would prioritise getting the swingarm bolt out, that's almost certainly going to be your nightmare, and then all the other good suggestions around pictures and labelling.
just saw this on another thread mate https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/ducati-engine-cases-refurbished.84248/#post-1802233
