Did the engine actually need all the work? Na. Your just fussy about your bikes and unlike some, can afford to keep them immaculate.
Don't think it needed all the work but can see why op has chosen this path once opened up.However im surprised about the rockers along with other stuff.Without being replaced how long before all the cams are fooked and a nice big fat bill. I replaced one cam on the 916sps due to a worn rocker.Not a pleasant experience and one I thought had now been fixed in bikes like 1098R.I totally understand you give your 1098R some hammer.But I give my 916sps plenty of stick and still going strong with no major faults at 33,000 mls bar the fecking 1 rocker and cam. I realise running a 1098R ie service costs are more than standard models.Like many bikers and ducati fans I could just about live with that and just about skrimp and save for a nice low mls secondhand 1098R.However I cant live with having to shell out for full rebuild after 7500 mls with full ducati service history. For a production road bike that can after all be used on a daily basis to commute and for fun I find that unacceptable in this day and age even if it is the top of the range model in higher state of tune. 100% Ducati 50% less service ( old 1098 ducati ad ) my arse.
Correct I didn't have to rebuild the bike, but I chose to. I can live with my bike being less than concours on the outside, but I am OCD about them being perfect mechanically and on the inside. Anyway, I shared this thread because I thought it's something less usual, and the pics tell a story not so often seen. The good news is that the bike has been massively transformed, and this was simply from refreshing the engine from normal wear'n'tear and taking the opportunity to improve it along the way.
Awesome bike and work Spareparts. It's nice to see the pictures all in one post as to scattered throughout the thread on Pistonheads
Its highly unlikely you'll have to mate. Mine is coming up to 8k and I'm going for a full rebuild like Spareparts. I'd planned to go down this route if I'd got to 10k anyway. Mines a track bike end of. The lad that had it before me is a quicker rider than me so he used to wring its neck too. When I get it back it'll be pretty much box fresh and back to its bonkers, glorious best. And I can't wait! The 1098R mill is strong and reliable but I guess if its your track whore which you thrash round a track its gonna need some TLC sooner rather than later. You simply can't compare a road bikes wear and tear with that of a track bike. I'm sure a 1098R road bike will last as long as anything else in its class.
Yes I guess a track bike should receive more tlc for sure and says so in my old ducati book.Something about service schedule is for normal use and should reduce service intervals for track. Although I think its bad news to be replacing rockers and other parts on a 7500 mile vast majority road (op) mint ducati its great to know once these rebuilds are done bike is 100% and only rider errors will see future probs. Just been out on my duke today and to be honest I don't know how you handle 1098R power on the roads.Mine is a absolute beast on anything above half throttle nevermind adding another 50+ hp.Dont know how you 1098R lads hold on the the things lol.
Well it is with great difficulty sometimes Matt. However a few of us have to do it every now and again. It puts a smile from Ear to Ear, whilst giving me goose bumps at the sometime.
I still love the look of my old duke but I wouldn't mind shoe horning a 1098R engine in there. Im only 13 stone (less at my fighting weight) and my sps is almost too much alot of the time on road although that overkill is fun.Sure you can buy a 848/ 899 and thrash it more but nothing beats that feeling and being shit scared at times ie a real adrenaline buzz and thinking fuck me this is insane. I can see a 1098R in my future but Id probably want to have it stripped at my local Jhp wizards and improved for reliability like op has done.Then again could I resist a gas flow and pistal pistons at the same time'.Ohh yeah fit them as well 'would be my answer.
I went from a 999R to my current 1098R and must admit it was shit scary to start with. It took me ages to get quicker on the 1098R because it kept trying to loop me so I was constantly rolling off/short shifting. Totally love it now though and there is nothing out there (stock) that I'd rather have. That's not bad for an 8 year old bike. Get one, they're fucking ace!!
I'm gonna have this massive dilema tomorrow when I discuss the rebuild with the boys at Moto Rapido.... Life is such a torment..... Wooo hooo
Do it! Once you get used to a proper powered bike, everything else is feeble. But there's a big difference between 160rwhp and 180+rwhp. At 160 you can easily hit the throttle stop a lot of the time, on the road. At 180+, judicious care is required as it still lifts in 4th at speed. There really is nothing like a 159kg 98R on heat!
Its not so much going for a ride on the bike its more like the bike is taking you for a workout. Sometimes when Im following a car I swear I can hear the bike say .HOLD ON IAN WERE OFF and he just takes me with him. A very special bike ,anti social,impraciical jnsane level of performance for road use,wait a minute I think I may have to touch myself. Im surprised dvla don't give them an asbo.
