Come across an irritating problem that should be simple (sort of) to fix but has become nigh on impossible..... Short version: after an engine mishap on my 900SS beltie, needed to use unmatched vertical barrel/old piston rings to rebuild, with slightly larger ring gaps than I'd like. Result being the engine runs well but uses a small amount of oil. Compression check confirmed slight leakdown on vertical (suspect!) cylinder ..... So, simple answer is fit new rings ! You'd think so ...... Seems Ducati don't do those rings them anymore .... contacted JE in the states (pistons are their HC 92mm) and they confirmed they are $22 a set (ok by me!) but I can't order directly unless I have an account and can only have an account if I'm in USA/Canada. In Europe, we should contact PMI in the Netherlands ..... tried that, and can't get any reply ....... So, question is, where the heck do I get new rings from (OEM, JE, even Wiseco ones fit apparently) or do I have top keep burning oil like a two stroke until something wears out completely?
Ask about on the forum. THere will be someone in the States who can help you out. Perhaps a friendly American might already have an account.
For the rings? if so that's good. Ducati charge almost £125 a set for 94mm rings (916, ST2). A set of JE HC pistons are about the same price as a set of Ducati rings... TTS at Silverstone should be able to get you JE products; TTS Performance Parts | Home
Drop Mike at Powerbarn in the States (Google for the address) an e-mail. He's brilliant and will sort you out in a trice!
+1 on Mike If you want to get him on the phone then 5pm his time is best, otherwise leave a message, he WILL call you back.
Happy Bert Thanks all for the help & potential sources ..... +1 to TTS who offered to get them for a very decent price (£60 for 2 sets + P&P) which I'd have taken up except it was about 1/2 hr after Mike at Powerbarn came through with an offer to not only match the JE price of $22 a set, but also gave a choice of options on P&P ..... end result - ordered two sets of JE rings from Mike, even with the most expensive post option (tracked/insured etc) for c£55 all in.
Now definitely not a happy bert Just received an 'invoice' from Parcel Force to say they are holding my parcel (and have been for 7 days despite it being marked '3 day delivery') because they reckon there is a further £10.23p due ...... however, they are also demanding £13.50 as a 'clearance' fee ..... the robbing barstewards So, basically, two sets of rings, for which JE (and Powerbarn!) charge c£27.50, have now cost me a further c£50 in postage (glad I paid for 3 day delivery two weeks ago!!!) and ripoff charges ....... In the 'love / hate' relationship every Ducati offers, I am definitely in the 'hate it' phase today
Unfortunately that's import duty..and the only way to avoid is get the American supplier to post to an address in the US, who then forwards to you. Not entirely sure that's legal though! Best of luck fixing the bike, am sure it will be worth it.
The import duty isn't the problem, and was only £10 - it's the additional charge they have levied as 'clearance' ie - admin, which is basically blackmail for 'pay us some more or you don't get your parcel at all'. This despite them being responsible (by delay) for having broken the contract that I have with the delivery firm to deliver my parcel within 3 days!!! When you hear of officials refusing to deliver items in places such as Nigeria, China, or the Middle East unless an 'admin charge' is paid, we all laugh and call them corrupt .....
I think that admin fee goes to royal mail. As official postal service of uk they are the only one's that can do clearance at customs. Unless that changed.
A courier can also charge a clearance fee too......but Royal Mail will charge it whether there is any duty payable anyway, because they charge you the fee just to ASK HMCR if there is an import duty payable. I have a number of customers that tell me the same thing....." No thanks Nog, I can buy it cheaper in the States ".......and then they get clobbered and call me up moaning that I didnt tell them about it.....God knows how many times this self same issue was discussed here and on the previous site that shall not be mentioned......
Simples when you say the price add price includes HMRC duty, Royal Mail admin fee, other courier admin fee and so on. What glove sizes you got in stock? Getting back so should be able to pop in for some stuff end of May.
