But where to get one? The American kits are quite expensive and bulky and difficult to fit. If only someone made a better UK based version........
Mmmmmm.........can't think of anyone who does these kits. Maybe someone should start up a business. Maybe they could cam belt kits too?
Got my bike back tonight. What a difference. No longer cutting out and running fantastically well. Got to thank Eddie Stone of ERS Racing based at Knockhill Racing Circuit, He has really worked his magic on the bike. He thinks the cutting out could have been the result of a combination of issues including TPS/Fuel Filter/Air Filter/corroded relays/throttle bodies etc. He also set up the suspension to totally transform the bike @CRYSTALJOHN. Cant wait for my trip to Europe now.
@cherod, he services all makes but races a 999 and used to have a service contract with Ducati. Now working on his own workshop from the circuit, nice guy and knows his stuff. You can tell he gets pleasure from working on them.
Had very similar problems with my 749 and when checked on the diagnostics equipment according to that it should have been running OK, but it clearly wasn’t and it took Rich from Louigi moto in Bristol to finally sort it out, it wasn’t one fault just loads of little ones that added up, must add I can’t stop riding it now its fixed and running as it should perfect. This is a link to my thread about this particular problem if others have the same. http://ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/engine-thinks-its-not-warming-up-for-ages-then-pow-everything%E2%80%99s-ok.31771/ Might be handy to someone. Guvs.
First thing to get done is the TPS reset, take it to someone who knows Ducatis, really knows them rather than has fiddled with a few. This was really common when they were practically new but 10yrs on mine's still fine as it's serviced properly. Unrelated but someone mentioned the issue of maintaining charge, starting them is hard on batteries so a good run is useful or, as I was advised, get an optimate. It's never failed to start since I got one.
Cable kit will cure any starting issues as long as there are no fundamental problems and you have a decent battery. It's amazing what a difference a less resistive set of starting cables makes... Talk to @Exige on here.
Of course have a read here: Sick To To Death Of Hearing About Exact Fit Battery Cables? | Ducati Forum And here: www.exact-start.com saviour of all (well some so far but I'm working on it) Ducati's:Angelic:
I paid a lot more than that for my American sourced cable kit by the time Id paid shipping, vat and import duty. Well worth it though for the instant starting I now get. 80 quid? Bargain! Don't forget, it'll save your sprag clutch too.
I just cleaned my original cables up with a fibreglass pencil and that made a world of difference to starting. And I'm running a big bored 996 with nearly 15:1 compression ratio.
As I say, 10yrs without an issue on that front but I do understand the benefit. I just don't see the need for anything more complicated than a £10 one from Halfords. Apparently I'm thrifty!
I thought the same about the price of a carbon heat shield, so made one from cardboard but it just didn't seem to work too well - not sure why In all seriousness though, if you read the specs and realise they are bespoke tooled terminals and the best available - and only available due to them being developed specifically for a bespoke motorcycle that really deserves better than originally specified by the manufacturer. As a contact at Swedish Ducati Dealer who is looking at importing my cables suggested (for example) a 1098 sprag assembly is no longer available - you now need all the 1198 bits to convert when it goes: part cost $1000 and that doesn't include labour. Sure you can throw some cables together for less and some do (on many applications you will have to start hacking at the battery box to make them fit), but you are only doing what the OEM did in the first place. If you want the best possible, I have taken the trouble to develop it at my cost and brought a system to market that our bikes are worthy of - and as mentioned above, considerably better value (and better I feel) than the current USA systems.
Ha ha, but hardly comparable. Definitely better value than the U.S. option and doubtless meticulously made, I did read the specs. Fair play on all of that, it's just way more than is necessary in my opinion but lots of happy customers so happy days.
Someone developed a carbon frame for ducatis too which technically is better than standard. Don't see too many about though when a well maintained original is up to the job.
