Hi Having taken my new bike out for a spin today I discover it doesn't tick over when warm (was fine with the choke). Reading my Haynes manual I'm thinking the first step is to adjust the throttle stop / idle speed. Problem in I'm struggling to see how you get access to this given where the carbs are sited. The manual says you'll need a long Phillips screwdriver but am I right in assuming you need to remove the tank, battery, air filter to access? or can you get at it from the side. Sorry if this is really stupid - just can't visualise how to get to it? Thanks Neil
You need a torch and aforementioned long screwdriver. You access it from under the headstock. No need to dismantle anything. Try googling Ducatisuite it's very helpful and has photos.
You get a Philips / crosshead screwdriver about 300mm long or longer....... You remove the fairing lowers (it's easier if they are off)...... You start the engine.... You lay on your back with your feet towards the rear wheel..... Best to lay on the right side of the bike......you don't want to accidentally kick the gear lever, especially if the bike is on the sidestand..... You shine a small torch up into the carb area over the top of the front cylinder with one hand...... You identify which screw to turn.....It's the nearest one you can see...........(the higher one is the balance screw)... You stick the screwdriver into the screw and turn it whichever way is necessary....... You go indoors and rub some salve on the burn you just got on your forearm off the exhaust pipe.
This screw driver PH2 Phillips Extra Long Screwdriver Total Length 400mm with Rubber Handle TE549: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools is ideal for the job. The burn stops hurting after the second glass of wine
That's more or less the same as mine..........the smaller of the Philips point sizes is best....which I think is the PH2 rather than the normal one. Doesn't need to be 400mm for the tickover screw, but it does for the balance screw.
I adjust my tickover regularly........Hic!:Hungover: That aside, I made a remote tickover adjuster using a spare trip meter cable and knob.
Nah.....can't be a*sed..........I just did it because I was fed up laying on my back and burning my arm for such a simple adjustment. I also couldn't be sure the Yamaha one would be correct and anyway the Yam one dangles because it isn't as long as mine. Pity the balance screw can't be done the same way. But if anyone has a spare trip meter cable and a spare throttle screw, I don't mine doing it for them.
Thanks all - I'l let you know how I get on! Much appreciated Neil ps sounds like it isn't unusual for it to need adjusting!
Don't be surprised if you have the tickover a bit too high, the revs won't die down as quickly as you would expect when you blip the throttle.... This is roughly the view of the carbs when looking up & under...........the throttle screw is obvious, the balnce screw is hidden behind the rubber hose. The long thing in the other pic is the remote adjuster I knocked up....
Thanks I'm sure it will all become clear when I've got the fairing off and looking up - have ordered the screwdriver! Neil
If you by chance have the high level oil cooler mounted on top of the front cylinder, remove the mounting bolts so you can push the cooler upwards and block it in place, otherwise you won't get the screwdriver onto either the tickover or balance screws.... .....it has to go under the cooler.....
The SS desmodue engine struggled to meet emissions standards, so the factory standard settings are less than ideal for smooth running and performance. If you want get your engine to perform as you would want, you will need to install a jet kit. There are two suppliers, dynajet and factory pro. Both are pretty good. Take a look here for illustrated instructions on how to go about it and also other desirable tweaks. These are for a monster but the engine is the same. Ducati Suite- Jet Kit / Pod Filter Install
An update - bike went in for new tyres (the originals (20 yrs old) were a nice feature if it wasn't going to be ridden but not too clever otherwise!) and the mechanic thought it wasn't ticking over on one cylinder (probably idle jet blocked). So carbs removed, cleaned and rejetted and now ticks over. Just finished putting it all back together and looking forward to it not raining this weekend... Thanks for all the advice - great to have somewhere to ask questions. Cheers Neil
Bought a couple of vacuum gauges and have successfully balanced the carbs - and messed around with the tick over. Not sure the neighbours appreciated it when it reach 4000rpm! Was putting the blanking screw back in the inlet where the vacuum take off pipe goes when I dropped the screw. Couldn't see it on the floor or lodged on the cylinder. Finally discovered it had dropped through the small hole in the plastic breather pipe collector box thing!! Fortunately only held on by one bolt so not too hard to retrieve. Thanks for all the advice - really helpful. Cheers Neil
