Contact Total Seal; http://www.totalseal.com/ for piston rings, they will undoubtedly have some that fit and for less than the Ducati parts.
I thought most people using the higher octane fuel were using it in the possibly vain hope it might have less rather than more ethanol content.
Regardless of the octane, it has been known for some time that Premium / Super contains 10% Ethanol; more than what is in Regular Unleaded, so I can't imagine why anyone would think it has less.
My mechanic's not had much luck, there was a stabbing just round from the corner from his premises in Park Royal, and the police sealed off the area around his workshop for several days, so I couldn't pick the bike up until the middle of last week. I started running it in immediately, and ran it over to the MAG rally "Chinnor Bike Dayz" yesterday. Good to catch up with a few old friends, and the bike ran faultlessly. Bit boring holding it at 70-75mph on the motorway though, so I made sure I went part of the way on the A40, which is pretty twisty around Stokenchurch. Can't say I noticed anything different about the handling now the front frame clamp is fitted, or the rear shock is the right way up..it's always been amazing, on a par with the NC30 I used to own, but more comfortable. A list of the stuff done: -cylinder heads ported -valve seats lapped -valve seals -3 new valve shims, collets -cylinders replated (Nicasil) by Langcourt, which removes the external paint; re-painted black by mechanic -gaskets -carbs cleaned and balanced -belts -gallery plug checked -frame welded and brace fitted, painted wrong colour (my fault) -various hoses replaced -front subframe straightened (this had been annoying me for the last four years) -tank inner liner fitted (large plastic shroud, didn't even know it was missing) -oil & filter -spark plugs -MOT (miles since last one - 368, disgraceful) Humbug
