Ok Got a few questions that I think I know the answers to but wouldn't mind a few wizened heads confirming About 6 1/2 years ago my daughter was born, and my ducati was put to one side for a little while. Now the belts were done just before this monumentous event and the bike had fresh oil and was put into a nice warm corner of my warehouse for winter. The trouble is its still there. I've managed about 50 miles in this time but regularly started the bike and keep the (1 year old) battery in my office and give it a monthly optimate charge. So, I know the belts need doing again (or do they?) and it's just about to get another oil change (last one was 2 years ago). Is it really necessary to pull the cams? Anything else I should check (seals) etc? The bike is a keeper and as such wont get many miles added to the 7500 already on the clock, but I haven't got huge wads to spend on it, but want to return it to the road. Thanks Jason
Just a quick picture to show the old girl I know you all like pictures In track guise In road trim (but has a few more carbon bits, air runners, etc) J
nice bike - re: belts, after 6 1/2 years I would change the belts not only for peace of mind but the cost of doing or the consequences of not make the choice easy. When removed, you can thoroughly inspect them for drying out or cracking or wear by flexing carefully and could prove useful spares as a result. Also you get to inspect all 4 (well 6 really) idler bearings for binding. Others will add further things to check but the one that comes to mind first for me is the clutch slave and master and both brake master cylinders. All of these can suffer after that length of inactivity, the clutch slave in particular, which could also weep. It's also true that they could settle down as soon as you use them. Calipers behave well generally but i'm sure you'll be checking for partial sticking on. As for cams, i'm sure you know about the wear problem that can affect the openers in particular but this won't be anymore relevant due to the standing time. Do you have any record of when rockers were last adjusted and hopefully inspected? Your 'first' ride will be memorable i'm sure
If the valve clearances, rockers & cams were all good at the last service then surely they can't be any different after 6 years of inactivity. I would definitely change the belts & all fluids though.
Deffo the belts and fluids, maybe worth checking the fork seals (bouncing them up and down a bit), is the bike on stands? Keeps the weight of the bearings and tyres also..
The bike gets moved about every 2 weeks and is on a rear stand about 50% of the time Fork selas look fine after a bit of bouncing, but they were done about 6 months before the lay off. I had just had the forks overhauled and Ohlins internals added. The Warehouse is not hot, but never gets cold, so the rubber still is in good condition I also keep a cover over the bike as well. If Nelly is reading this does he do a collect/ return service? Cheers Jason
Consider the fuel filter as well, these have been known to clog up when left for long periods with old fuel. Lovely bike to have, I bought mine (also a 97) off a mate several years ago and returned it to what I believe is totally original spec. Only problem is I don't want to keep riding it in case it gets damaged in some way hence only 4.5k on the clock.
I bought a 999 a couple of years ago with a couple of thousand miles that hasn't been ridden for a similar amount of time. I started the recommissing a couple of weeks ago; wheeling it into a bit of working space in the garage you could feel the brakes clearly binding; I removed the calipers and of the eight pads, the friction material from six dropped to the floor.
details of last service not included though hence question - it all comes under 'peace of mind' before using?
If i was you id do like i did with my 996 when I bought it a month or so back. Firstly, i changed the oil + filter, then fuel filter (remember you need the big rubber seal + the 2 small QC seals), the belts only cost £80 so I did them too. (specialists I spoke to said 2 years under normal use or 3 if low miles - mine looked fine after 3 years, but better safe than sorry). I also did the brake fluid - it turns into marmalade if its not been changed for 6 years. Nice easy job to do. And whilst at it fitted new EBC HH pads - really improved the brakes no end over the crappy Ferodo pads which were in my calipers. I also replaced the spark plugs & air filters. Finally whilst I was at it, i swapped out the chain & sprockets. I didnt bother checking the cams / rockers as they had been done about 4 years back by Baines, but when they did this they did find a couple with the flaking chrome problem which they replaced. Whilst doing the fuel filter make sure you ditch any old fuel left in the tank and replace with nice new fuel. So all in all, i got piece of mind that i had done much more than might have been required, but the bikes good to go now and I know that everything has been done to my spec.
i had the complete opposite I fitted new Ferodo pads - really improved the brakes no end over the crappy EBC pads which were in my calipers.
Interesting! Maybe different models of Ferodo & EBC pads. I had Ferodo pads on my 350z and they were awesome, but the ones which came on my 996 were terrible. The EBC HH seem to really bite hard. Not quite as good as the Carbon Lorraine XBK5`s on my R1, but not far off.
Long overdue update..... It's had new filters all over, oils, fuel, belts, rockers checked (all ok - phew!!!), new fluids throughout, new seals on the fuel system and pump cleaned and a lot of spit and polish. Insured, MOT'd and a fresh 6 months road tax. Just need to get some fresh rubber to regain some confidence...... J
With the rubber in mind i'm thinking Pirelli Rosso Corsas, but what size? I always used to run 180/55 rear, but thought of the 190/50 might give a little more confidence as I'm no longer the track warrior i was years ago. Also the wheels are 5 spoke Marchesini's from a later 996. j
You should run 190's as it's a 6 inch rim I think (check though) otherwise the tyre profile will be wrong for the width of the rim.
My 996 has the same wheels and im running 180 rear on mine without any problem. PB magazine`s suspension setup guide which i followed said that you could run either 190 or 180 but they recommended the 180 to improve the steering. Ive experimented with both 180`s & 190`s on my the 996 and my R1 and have to say they are right, the 180 does seem to make the bike steer in quicker. Visually however, the wider 190 does look more pleasing to the eye (or at least my eye).
