Just got an 888, Help!
 

Just jot a 888 SP4, almost by accident! A mate of my sister in law split up with his girlfreind and had nowhere to store it so I bought it as I had always fancied one since I saw Fallappa riding one in WSB in the early 90's

There are few, but major problems with the bike that I need some help with:-

It has only done 1000 miles since the bike had new belts put on it, (About 2 years ago) I know it will need a good service but is it worth changing the belts?

My CBR 600 has better brakes, Nice one Brembo!

The forks are now leaking oil so the seals need changing but before they started leaking the front suspansion was rock solid.

If anyone out there has any advice on improving the brakes, handling, including settings or belt life please respond

Ta Simon:puzzled:

T8 belts
 

You lucky lucky lucky man """""""""""""""jealous or what
Yes definately change the belts as they will have taken the shape of the position theyve sat in,the set that came out of mine which had been sat for a year and they where a perfect shape of the cams.
ian:sing:

brakes
 

I've fitted braided hoses in carbon effect to keep them as close to standard and I'm about to try different pads and a 48 tooth clutch basket and a smaller front sprocket from nelly at cornerspeed.
give him a ring for advice.
you wont find a better classic bike and its really usefull on the road and in my opinion the best looking Duc
ian
:biaggi:

Yes you lucky bast*&% !

Don't own one so I can't help with the mods but the bike you've just bought is on the list to make it into the TP collection one day ....

Don't even run the engine until you have changed the belts-the carnage that will result from one letting go(usually the front one) beggars description.
Forks, get them to a Duke specialist like Nelly, or JHP, or to a suspension specialist like Maxton or K-Tech.
Brakes, get them serviced, the 888 series are fitted with Brembo Goldlines-basically top brakes so if they are no good there is something wrong.

PS-You lucky Lucky B.............

John

Hi Simon

The Ohlins FG9050 forks fitted to the SP4 are notorious for having 'leaky' seals, and more often than not it is the L/H seal from which the oil escapes (don't know why this should be!). However, since your bike has been standing idle for a while, I'd advise you to be patient and put a couple of hundred miles on it before replacing them - because it can, and very often does, stop of its own accord. I know this from experience! (Ohlins' own brand fork oil is also horrendously expensive. Much more so than the seals themselves. My local dealer quoted me £30 per fork leg!) Most owners have the forks re-sprung, and this 'softens' the ride. This has been done to my own bike, and the ride is now very supple - much more so than the Strada. Steering head angle is different too on the SP, and this makes it much quicher steering.

The brakes are full floaters and, as Monty said, should be top notch. I'd advise you to replace all the obvious things which may have 'aged' and then see what you think. The brakes on my own bike are well up to the job - even the back one works! (although I have to say that the front discs have less initial 'bite' than the bog-standard equipment on the Strada).

Lifespan of the timing belts is about two years/6000mls - whichever comes the sooner. I changed the belts on my own bike within a week of me buying it, and was glad I did. I found the old ones had slackened to such an extent I could almost pull them off the pulleys. Amazingly though, the bike was still running beautifully! The job was simple enough, and without any special equipment, took me around 3hrs from start to finish. The latest belts are Kevlar reinforced, so are more durable. (These belts can be identified by their red lettering. Cost me about £60/pair inc VAT).

Suspension settings are dependant on so many variables that it's hardly worth giving advice. I do have the 'stock' figures given in the Owner's Manual though - so if you need these let me know.

Steve

Simon

Nice bit of good fortune there - you now own one of the second best looking Ducs! I agree with the others, change those belts immediately! JHP did a good job on rebuilding the forks on my SP3. Brakes (front anyway...) are fine on my bike, so yours could do with a bit of an overhaul maybe. Might be worth contacting "Chicken" if you need a manual for the bike.

Andrew

Hi Simon, I was advised to leave the leaking seals on my 888SPS until the leak was more than a trickle, which was good advice as it didn't get any worse for some time (admittedly it's a sunshine special...). If you want to stay a bit closer to home to get it serviced and you don't want to do it yourself, try Roy Armstrong at Italsport in Bury. Don't even think about not doing the belts! Start on the suspension by setting the static sag. It will make a difference but don't expect a Rolls Royce ride on our roads, these bikes were built for smooth track surfaces. Get it going well on a nice fast road and nothing else will get close to the experience. A truly special motorcycle enjoyed by the very lucky few!!! :-)

Bloody hell Gary an SPS owner..were not worthy !! :D (I think your the first on here).

Think the lads have covered most of the other points but ref; brakes its surprising the difference pad material can make...Carbone Lorraine (SBK3?) pads are the best way to go for the cast iron brembo discs you have I am told and make a shed load of difference (yet to fit them with mine)

I also think the brake master cylinder on the SP4 is the same (unadjustable) one as the strada which I was very disappointed with when I bought my bike...change it for a 19x18 brembo radial master cylinder..not only do they look the borrocks..but will improve things no end due to its bigger piston and span adjustable lever.

Congrats on a fine purchase..look foprward to swapping takes of 888 ownership over the coming months..!

Nat

Thanks for all the advice chaps, The SP4 is gonig to be fully serviced, the suspension is going to kais-ohlins in atherton this week, to get the suspension sorted. Andy at Cornerspeed (Who I can confirm is a thoroughly nice and helpfup chap) recommended them. The Service, including shimming of the valves is being done by a chap called "Ducati John" based in Leeds at the end of the month, he is also sorting out the brakes and putting Carbon Lorraine SBK pads. Then It will be time to take her out for the first time.

I plan to take it to Oulton Park early this year to blow off the cobwebs and remind me of why I own a bike. Any one fancy meeting up for the day?

All the best

Simon