Hi, I recently bought an ST4, 2003 model. I'm doing a few essential service jobs on it, belts, head bearings, oil changes etc etc.... I've noticed that the exhausts have quite a bit of lateral movement, and it seems to be at the joint between the link pipe and collector part, where the springs hold the link pipes on. My question is, is there supposed to be a seal type ring at that joint or not ? or is it just metal/metal ? I haven't stripped it down yet, but generally on other jap bikes I've owned there's a grey graphite ring/collar that makes a tight joint. This is my first Ducati, so I'm still not 100% up to speed on all the details of the bike... Thanks Mat
No seal, just metal to metal. I'm not sure about the ST4 but the ST4s has a double wall in each half, the silencer and the collector box, which fit inside each other making a double labyrinth seal.
Hi Derek, thanks for the quick reply. That would make sense, because it isn't "blowing" from the joints at all, it's just that when you hold the silencer(s) you can move them quite a bit (maybe the mounting rubbers at the sub frame are a bit worn) but at the joint of the link pipe it moves quite a bit. Thanks Mat
Normal from what I remember of mine, don't swear . They are very under rated bikes IMHO, wish I'd not had to sell mine . Just keep a close eye on the valve rockers for the chrome hardening flaking off. Very common on the Desmoquattro engines, but some bikes suffer more than others and you need to take the cans out to be able to see the area that wears. If they are worn don't ignore it or you will end up scrapping your camshaft. Don't bother replacing them with Ducati ones, they're expensive and no better. Instead get in contact with Dave Newman Cams, a specialist company that will refurbish than with a harder stellite 'pad' to the same profile and for half the price. Just do them in pairs is my recommendation. Other than that they are great bikes, relatively comfy, fast and handle well once you jack up the rear shock. Enjoy
OK thanks for the info. I drained the oil, the magnet on the sump plug was clean and also the oil strainer, no signs of any flakes or metal
That's good, but don't just go by that, pull the cams when you do the valve clearances, it only adds about 20 mins to the job and makes access much easier too. Metal flakes don't always stick to the magnet, they may have been flushed in a previous oil change.
will do, i'll probably do that over next winter, my plan now is to do the essentials and use it over the summer.. I normally do all my major work over the winter months ready for spring. Mat
