Ducati Engine Rebuild Questions

[sjuels]

I would like to draw on the collective brain trust of BARF.

I have a 2013 Multistrada 1200S GT with ~85k miles on it, and I expect that at some point the engine will need a refresh.

I assume at some point to pull the engine and take cylinders and heads up to Performance Engine in Petaluma, but my question is:

What should I expect from clutch, gearbox and bottom end ?
What would you recommend ?

I have refreshed every other bearing and shocks on the bike, and would like to put another 80k mi on the bike if possible.

/Soren

 

[jafo]

barely broken in if you believe the duck forums :dunno

 

[Lucytriple]

When we would refresh the race bikes, it meant new main bearings and crank bearings for sure. Just taking the time to remove the screws and clean out the gunk from the crank would be a good enough gift. The head could do with new valve guide seals. When the motor's apart, you can check the oil pump and release valve. I have seen many of the oil pumps and release valves that had something run through them at one time or another and either the release valve doesn't move smoothly or the oil pump shows wear. You'll check the shift drum and shift forks for wear, as well as the transmission gears, but aside from shift fork wear or a known problem, there's not usually too much going on. Not a bad time to replace the starter clutch (and gear, if needed) since everything is already apart and it's terrible to have that go while running. Also a good time to replace the shift linkage return spring and replace it with the Factory Pro spring.

I haven't seen too many wet clutches at that mileage, but if it were a dry clutch, you'd have replaced it by now at least once.

 

[planegray]

When we would refresh the race bikes, it meant new main bearings and crank bearings for sure. Just taking the time to remove the screws and clean out the gunk from the crank would be a good enough gift. The head could do with new valve guide seals. When the motor's apart, you can check the oil pump and release valve. I have seen many of the oil pumps and release valves that had something run through them at one time or another and either the release valve doesn't move smoothly or the oil pump shows wear. You'll check the shift drum and shift forks for wear, as well as the transmission gears, but aside from shift fork wear or a known problem, there's not usually too much going on. Not a bad time to replace the starter clutch (and gear, if needed) since everything is already apart and it's terrible to have that go while running. Also a good time to replace the shift linkage return spring and replace it with the Factory Pro spring.

I haven't seen too many wet clutches at that mileage, but if it were a dry clutch, you'd have replaced it by now at least once.

:thumbup

And how much would you charge for that on my 748 ??

(Have been wondering the same idea)

 

[Lucytriple]

:thumbup

And how much would you charge for that on my 748 ??

(Have been wondering the same idea)

I’m not set up to do a motor rebuild at this time, and won’t be for the foreseeable future. You could spend 1500 easy. It’s mostly labor but Ducati parts are freaking pricey! and of course it all depends on how many parts you need. On a 748 you’re probably looking at some rockers. I love doing motors and I wish I could do more of them. It’s a huge investment of special tools and measuring equipment to do it right and of course, space!

 

[sjuels]

When we would refresh the race bikes, it meant new main bearings and crank bearings for sure. Just taking the time to remove the screws and clean out the gunk from the crank would be a good enough gift. The head could do with new valve guide seals. When the motor's apart, you can check the oil pump and release valve. I have seen many of the oil pumps and release valves that had something run through them at one time or another and either the release valve doesn't move smoothly or the oil pump shows wear. You'll check the shift drum and shift forks for wear, as well as the transmission gears, but aside from shift fork wear or a known problem, there's not usually too much going on. Not a bad time to replace the starter clutch (and gear, if needed) since everything is already apart and it's terrible to have that go while running. Also a good time to replace the shift linkage return spring and replace it with the Factory Pro spring.

I haven't seen too many wet clutches at that mileage, but if it were a dry clutch, you'd have replaced it by now at least once.

Thank you for the input.
Sounds like spending the time and money on clutch, starter gear, shifter forks, drum, springs, oil pump, and all bearings would be a good idea.

I really like the idea of having a bike with high mileage, and would love to learn how to rebuild everything.

Thanks,
/Soren

 

[kuksul08]

Doesn't seem worth it to me. Just run it into the ground and if it blows up replace it with a low mileage one off eBay.

Modern bikes can last many many miles. If you have no issues and it's not using a ton of oil it will probably keep going for years.

 

[sjuels]

Doesn't seem worth it to me. Just run it into the ground and if it blows up replace it with a low mileage one off eBay.

Modern bikes can last many many miles. If you have no issues and it's not using a ton of oil it will probably keep going for years.

Financially it does not make sense - I understand that very well; I can get the exact bike for $8k, with 80k miles less than what I have now. i.e. 10 cents per mile.

That said, the better I know the bike, the more I love that thing - moody, hysterical, temperamental - and fast as fcuk!
But I would also not have been able to afford this bike, if I had not taken it in, with lots of problems that I had to work through.
I plan on doing as much of the work that I can or will learn (or fail) to do the work. In the end I come out richer and happier.

Old bikes, strong women, fast friends, and loyal dogs -
I tend to put my money where my heart is, and it might not always make sense, but I wouldn't trade my life with anyone.

/Soren