Front header doesn't have to come off mate Remove lower fairings Remove servo from left side and plug in eliminator. (I have photos on here somewhere if you search) Remove rear wheel Remove rear shock linkage bolt Loosen 3x rear header bolts and pull header back from the studs. (Order a new gasket. I have a spare if you need one) Remove 4x heat shield bolts to allow it to move slightly. Remove pillion pegs and silencer Remove standard underbelly section (left side Allen bolt is awkward to access due to footpeg but can be got to with round head Allen key) Remove standard link pipe/valve (very awkward - I did this by pulling the rear header up and to the side to allow side header slip joint to pull off. This is why you need to loosen heat shield) Move swing arm up and down while pulling / twisting linkmpipe and it will eventually come out.
this job is a serious PITA but had I realised sooner I had to remove the shock linkage bolt and move the swing arm to get the link pipe out I would have done it Much quicker.
Thanks so much for the detailed description, that will be very handy when I come to fit the exhaust. That's a shame, I ordered a pair of gaskets last night thinking I would need two but thanks for the offer. I'm looking at a 1299s exhaust tonight so just wandering if the 1299&1299s exhaust are the same and would the 1299s fit my 959 alright? Sorry if I sound really thick but what parts of the 1299 exhaust am I fitting to my bike, is it just the link pipe and silencer? I thought I had to fit the whole system! so are they interchangeable because I thought the 1299 and 959 had different diameter pipes sizes. I'm pleased I don't have to remove the front header then because that looks like a right pig to get at!! Cheers.
The 1299 and S exhaust are the same The 959 has the same headers as the 1299 - i checked what came with my system and the part numbers match what my bike came with. I was going to swap them as the system i got was brand new (second hand) but just refitted the 959 headers as i couldnt be arsed removing the front pipe. they polish up nice! the only bits you need are the link pipe/valve and the underbelly silencer (the headers and heat shield are the same) and i would suggest spare gaskets as its definitely best to remove rear header (i ordered 2 in case i needed to remove the front but didnt) it will do as a spare when i sell the bike the 959 rubber inserts and bolts fit the 1299 exhaust but the ones i got with the 1299 system were new so used them instead of re-using 959 ones but theyre not different
Should have mentioned to remove the swingarm / shock linkage bolt you need to support the bike with an ABBA stand or similar.
Thanks for all you help, I did think it would need supporting from the middle of the bike if you were going to remove the suspension linkage! Unfortunately I don't have one of those stands just a paddock stand so I'm not sure how I will manage but I'm sure I will come up with something. I'm going to look at a 1299 full system tonight so if its in good shape and I can do a good deal I can get cracking with it!! Cheers.
Just to add, you shouldn't need to remove the swingarm or either header pipe. It is possible to remove the link pipe with all that in place. I only had to remove the wheel. This was the case when I put the under belly exhaust on and also when I switched it back to trade in. Mine was mapped (Rexxer) and had the error from the flapper removed as part of that map. Although you may not need a map, the bike felt much better after the map, and they found a few extra horses as a bonus.
You could support the bike easily by getting some 10 or 12mm round bar or screwed rod and putting it through the swingarm pivot and putting axle stand each side of bike then lower it off paddock stand. I'm all about making life easier and it is by far the easiest way to disconnect the linkage and be able to move the swingarm up and down by removing just one bolt. No pulling pushing or ratchet straps required. Snapping a stud in the engine block would be a complete nightmare so not worth risking it IMO. The Ducati dealer I just had the bike to said to remove the exhaust they would have removed the subframe or some what I did disconnecting the shock linkage to save time/effort fighting it.
Have you got the rear header slip joint apart already? The front header is the worst one. I battled with it for a while but felt I was going to end up damaging something or at best scratching my swingarm to death so came away from It and then realised being able to pivot the swing arm up and down would solve the issue and after removing just one bolt the link pipe fell out. Seriously you won't get the link pipe out with the swingarm in situ without really being quite brutal with it. I asked the dealer and he said they would remove the subframe or front header to donthis rather than waste time battling it. If you haven't got an abba stand put a bar through the swingarm pivot and support it with axle stands or something and undo the linkage. Seriously you will save loads of time and won't damage the bike
Just to add after I did my exhaust I read on a US forum someone had someone else sit on the bike to compress the suspension/raise the swing arm to get the link pipe out using just a paddock stand Removing Header Pipes - Ducati 959 Panigale Forum
Thanks for the advice, I will try supporting the swing arm and undoing the linkage next then when I can! Have you managed to get out on your bike recently? just wandering how you find it runs with the belly can and no flapper servo, is it slightly louder? many thanks.
Hi not ridden it yet but started it and warned it up (took it for service in my van) and it's maybe a bit louder but not majorly different. Will tell when I ride it. It does sound different though - more Ducati sounding It's not the swingarm you need to support, it's the bike forward of the swingarm if you undo the linkage. There will be a way to do it without a centre stand/ABBA stand. Putting a rod through the pivot hole and support in in axle stands works - I've done it on other bikes. Or is your garage roof exposed? Put a long ratchet strap around a joist and lift the bike up by the subframe. I've done that on other bikes too and it works. Either that or compressing it could work as per the forum I linked but I didn't try that way
OK, I will have a look at the bike later and see what I can do with it! I will let you know how I get on. many thanks
That's very kind of you, but unfortunately I live in the South East in Guildford Surrey. I don't usually give up on projects but this one is testing me at the moment and I'm having second thoughts! and thinking about putting it back to how it was!
i know your pain - i was the same and thought i should have just kept the akrapovic on! i had a eureka moment in the middle of the night and literally woke up having realised the swing arm pivoting up a few mm would solve it. I was annoyed at myself i realise sooner - i was too concentrated on forcing it. Even without a centre stand you could support the bike sufficiently to quickly remove the link pipe. Like i said, ive removed rear shocks before by supporting the bike from the roof joists (with a chain block, but a ratchet strap would do), using axle stands on rearsets or even a block of wood and trolley jack under the sump. The bike will be stable enough. theres ways to do it mate. seriously its the easiest way to get the link pipe out without forcing / risking damaging anything. How to replace your rear shock | MCN 05-06 Swingarm installation on 03-04 636 ZX6R/RR - KawiForums - Kawasaki Motorcycle Forums
Standard euro cans measure around 98/99dB, the under belly without flapper tested just over 103. Definitely sound louder and adds to the experience when you ride. my link pipe came out without any of that nonsense. Granted, the new one was a pig to get in though!
I found it easier to remove just 1 extra bolt than force the header over with a ratchet strap or risk damaging something. If I were paying a garage to do the job and saw them doing that I wouldn't have been too impressed!
