About a year ago, I bought the 996S of my dreams, gave it a full maintenance service, it's been filled with 300V, etc. In the last mile of my most recent ride, it began to make a whirring sound. Heart sank! I'd only ridden it about 2k miles. I turned it off and drained the oil in my garage, and found metal shavings in the oil. I think it's the main bearings, and a video to a few mechanics confirmed that it's time to split the cases and replace the bearings. It's got just under 15k miles, and is totally stock and. I love that it's a biposto (seems friendlier somehow), but with T1 cams, ti-rods, and termis. It's like riding a volcano. I would love to repair it myself, but don't have the time. I was quoted 2k – 3k GBP for a total rebuild. I would like to ride it again; I haven't even had a chance to switch the stock gearing yet. But... Here is the kicker. I damaged my ears recently and have been looking for an excuse to stop riding for a while, and when I start again, it will be on off-road bikes. So, with that in mind, what is my best way out of this, economically (not emotionally) ? Rebuild it? Sell as-is? Gasp...part it out? Thanks so much.
I reckon if you can drop the engine out yourself and take that to your mechanic that would save you a decent chunk of cost in labour time, obviously you’ll have to mount it again yourself but if you don’t have time then maybe difficult. At the end of the day if you sell it as is someone will have to pay for the work themselves which will be chipped off the the price. Either way, definitely not part it out, not just that it’ll take loads of time but simply because they are too good to do that to them
Get rid of some crap furniture in your lounge, add some spotlights, and put your bike there for at least the next six months whilst you ponder the situation.
As mentioned remove motor your self and send to specialist,tune while it's out your have a cracking motor then
i had a 996s that threw an output bearing on the Gearbox.. i looked at parting out, new motor etc, but I decided to pull the motor and took it for a rebuild, it turned out for me the best option as I think I put about 1k into the repair as I was then able to make a decision to keep or sell on the bike afterwards. a good 996s has great power ( mine 128hp) it would be a shame to loose another one from the market
As mentioned remove the engine and go to a recognised independent Ducati workshop. I have had the same problem with a 748R engine and needed new main bearings and new rod bearings. I used what was then Ducati John, he uses a different name now but is still trading as far as I know. The cost in 2015 was £1600 of which over £900 was parts alone. He did a perfect job though.
If you decide to not keep it i also think the cheapest way will be to find an second hand motor. If you wanne keep it rebuild it or let it rebuild. I you sell it with a broken engine you will have to let it go cheap. Henk!!!
I would personally highly recommend against replacing the motor. These bikes are getting more and more sought after, mostly by people with a collector mindset, and not so much looking for a track bike. If/when selling, a non matching motor would be a flaw to me and I would look elsewhere. First thing we all do, when we are looking for one of these, is check engine/frame numbers are matching, by calling or emailing Bologne, isn’t it? Additionally, while having current/original motor rebuilt, you would have time to think about whether you want to keep it or sell it. Give it a couple months and you well may decide to keep it, which is probably the best « economical » choice you could make at that point. Because if values keep going up a little for the next 5 years, simply waiting will probably pay the rebuild. But as we say here, those who advise are not those who pay. So really your call, in the end...
If the shoe was on the other foot then i'd like many others remove the powerplant myself and fix the problem and not buried it....this way retaining the original engine numbers, which keeps the value in the motorcycle longterm.
Get it to me! If you buy the new parts I will do it for free!! I love working on desmo’s if you have half a day spare at some point you can help so next time you know exactly what your up against!....get the cases apart change the big ends, check internal condition, rebuild, and the valve clearances you can get done in your own sweet time
Hiya- I already made plans for the bike, but that is a compelling offer. If I had more time on my hands I would definitely take you up on it.
