Well...at least I'm thorough. Bent crank, cracked cases, destroyed tranny, bent both rods, destroyed both cylinders....completely shot and unrebuildable. So guess what...I'm getting a new motor. :'( Should have it by the middle of next week and start putting the bike back together and seeing what I can salvage as spares on the old motor. I love racing! :-/
holy moly.. you really blew that sucker up eh? I feel for you... maybe you should buy a Jap bike ;D
cheap shot! ;D
So do you know exactly what happen to cause all this? Sounds like it was more than just a broke piston, alot more. :( How in the heck did the crank bend and the cases break? ??? Did they give you any explanation? That all really sucks.
There's so much damage, even they don't know exactly what went first. Looked like it either dropped an exhaust valve, the piston failed, or maybe I picked up a small rock (no sign of one, though) in the gravel at the previous round at Homestead. There is so much damage because the piston was in a million pieces and metal just started shredding the internals. And don't forget that it let go near the top end of a long straight, so I'm sure it made a lot of strokes with metal in it. The tranny is fried because of all the aluminum that went through it. Oh well...shit happens, right? I just wish I could get it back by this weekend and throw it together in time for Jennings this weekend. Gonna be a LONG wait until May 3-4.
Sounds to me like it dropped a valve, those pesky little half rings dont hold up well with those high lift cams, I found 1 that was in pieces, but still holding, on my F1 while I was fixing a split valve seal. I got lucky, my cams are NCR 7s and they are hard on my valve train as well. If I were you I would go with a lower lift, longer duration cams on your new motor. Maybe BCM could recomend something from V-two. 8)
Actually...the motor's already completely done. I'm gonna ask them for a complete list of everything it has. I'll let you know. Thanks for all the advice!
Got the list of internals on the new motor. It left New Hampshire today, so hopefully I'll have it by Wednesday. I hear it has a fresh paint job and looks brand new. The old motor will be returning later in several smaller boxes...lol.
http://mightyducracing.com/bikes.html
It is a Jap bike wantabe...only the wrong brand ::)
Quoteholy moly.. you really blew that sucker up eh? I feel for you... maybe you should buy a Jap bike ;D
HONDA 8)
SEE THE LIGHT ;)
RIDE RED :D
HONDA, HONDA, HONDA ;D
I drive an Acura, does that make you happy?
;D
If his new motor is closer to stock that Duc should be very reliable. :PThey start blowing up when you put all the race cams, hi comp pistons etc in them as he found out. For club racing at the beginner level he is at, a stock motor with maybe larger valves and a mild port job with the FCR carbs and race exaust is all you need, all the other race stuff is just overkill on a moter that cant take the extra stress. However, I do agree a Jap bike(SV650 for the class he is running) will cause many less headaches in the long run. If you guys have been keeping tabs on this bike you will know he has had nothing but trouble with it from the start, sticking throttle, brake problems, blown motor, all this can kill your confidence in the bike. If he is really serious about racing, which it seem he is, he needs to take a look at whats keeping him on this Duc, its just emotion and love for the bike. This is a bad thing for the wallet and trophies as the wise thing would be to buy a less tempermantal bike. I learned a long time ago when you are semi serious about racing your bike is nothing more than a tool to help you win and you cant fall in love with it or you will get your heart broken when you crash or blow a motor. Then you will spend a boat load of cash trying to save it when you should really put it out to pasture. I love my Ducatis too and that is why I still want to race a Jap v-twin, I just love those twins. I would give his bike one last chance, if the brakes lock up and put him on his butt, or the throttle sticks and he crashes I would be looking for something else to race. ;)
You are right...this is the last big repair I can afford this season. However, until it breaks again (hopefully it won't), I look forward to mopping up the SV's! As far as all the problems...you don't think a lot of it has to do with being a newbie? The throttle problem was in the carbs...had nothing to do with it being a Duc. The brakes could happen on any brand bike, and the motor blowing could have been any number of things. I've heard of a lot of motors going bad in other bikes this year and last. Probably many of my problems come from me having to learn most of the mechanical things through the school of hard knocks...but think of how much more I'll know about racing and working on my own bike by the end of the season. The blown motor was unfortunate, but you can't blame my other little problems on it being a Duc. And don't worry about me quitting because I've had some misfortunes...I have an ultimate goal of racing in the Daytona 200, and this year is just the first of what will most likely be a lot of stepping stones. See you guys on the track in May! ;D
By the way...I'm not just keeping this bike because I love it...which I do. It's also nice to know that you have the best handling and probably the fastest Lightweight bike out there at your disposal. I can equal the corner speed of most of the motard and 250 riders on this bike. Great to learn on and very forgiving so far when I've made mistakes. Just thought you should know. Not being argumentative, but why knock Ducs? Race bikes break...
Alex Ferreira's SV broke the same day my Duc did and he had to borrow a bike....now that's reliability...lol.
I hope you dont plan on racing your Duc in the Daytona 200, it will blow up down the front straight for sure. ;D Are you really serious about racing the 200? :o I know some who have qualifyed, Richie Morris is one, that have to start on the second wave. These guys are in another league with years and years of racing experenice on the Pro level and they are in the way of the really fast guys. I think you should set your goals even higher while you are at it, maybe a WSBK factory ride or AMA factory ride. It just has to be for Ducati, no Jap bikes:o Man you have some lofty goals for a beginner, you must have tons of money too. ;) I beginning to wonder about your sanity for this sport?????
Definitely don't plan on riding the Duc in the 200...lol. I am just hoping it stays together in the 5 lappers at the ROC in October. I will race in the 200 someday...but I don't expect to run at the front, obviously. :P Goals are a good thing, and I'll keep working on it until I'm fast enough to get in. I wish I had a lot of money, but instead I plan to put my sales skills to work and pick up a sponsor somewhere.
Just fooling with you! ;D I do really hope you get your bike sorted out, it is a cool bike! 8)
Hey...what region do you race in? Just curious if you'll be at any races down south or at the ROC. Be sure to let me know and come say hi in the pits if you do.
Hey Bryan:
Nice article in RRW.
Dawn :)
Thanks, Dawn...now if I can just get my copy so I can see it too...lol. :)
Haven't had time to read the whole thing yet but looks like a great article. Congrats!
Still no RRW at my local shop today, and my subscription copy hasn't come yet either. :(
QuoteStill no RRW at my local shop today, and my subscription copy hasn't come yet either. :(
Mine just came this weekend.