Thats was close...
 

...after hearing stories of other having the same problem at one time or another over the years...it finally happened to me...the chain let go!!!:o:o:o:(:(:flame::flame::flame:

Luckly I was only doing about 40-50 on a local road, but was only in my armoured paddock jacket having just been to the gym and on my way to the Foxes Diner meet.

Fortunately, the chain just ejected itself clean out the back of the bike. Initially I thought the bike had jumped out of gear, as the engine revs suddenly jumped up and the bike lost drive. Carefully I tried to knick it up back into gear...but nothing...now I start getting images of the gearbox slowly eating itself from the inside, so I keep the clutch pulled in a coast to a stop. I try to bang the gear lever back through to 1st...and no problem, try to pull away...and still no drive!!!

Quick glance down to the left rear of the bike...that don't look right:lol::o

Look back up the road and see my chain lying in the middle of the road!

Very very lucky I guess having seen many reports of serious damage to the crackcases, swingarms etc due to a flayling chain. As for why it failed? I'm going to go back tomorrow to try and find it and look for answers! It was tensioned correctly, is regularly cleaned (WD40 + light oil on the o'rings) and inspected for any obvious signs of damage??? It was looking a little on the tired side, with some surface discolouration, but was by no means in need of replacement as far as I could tell.

One nice thing, was during the first 10 mnutes of me pushing my bike to the nearest phone box, 6 (six) people stopped and asked if I needed help. Ahhhhh, the draw of a nice shiney Ducati!!

The last guy actually lived backing onto the road, and he was out cleaning one of his many bikes when he heard me coming by and said that he was enjoying the sound of the termis approaching from afar when it sounded like either my chain had come off or I had! He decided to jump in his car and drive around to make sure all was OK. I pushed the bike to his house, he gave me a lift home (about 10 miles away), and I returned with my trailer to collect the stranded beast.

I guess its an excuse to fit a nice new bling bling chain...now where's that credit card!

www.bandcexpress.co.uk

you'll need that, get a Tsubaki Sigma R and a set of sprockets.

glad you are ok

So that explains your no show at the cafe.
Lucky escape there Harv, thankfully you and the bike still intact, hope you get it sorted soon, were you planing on riding it to Popham for the Megameet.

Well...I've got a wedding to attend over Sat/Sunday morning, so it depends on when I get back and how I'm feeling:barfy:

But I do aim to ride down..but it will be later in the day if anything. I'll be ordering a new chain tomorrow...which reminds me...can I borrow your chain riveting tool (again) please!!!;)

Crikey harv...close shave mate..glad you and the bike are OK..

Nat

Lucky sod.

:o:o:o:o


MIne went through crankcase :(:(:(

What make of chain was It.

u2u me with makers name if you don't want to put it on the board.

Age

Harv i'm at work during the day tomorrow and Wednesday then in the evening on Thursday and Friday, earlier at Fox's we were talking about meeting up at the Riverside cafe at Benson Wednesday evening. I could take the chain tool there or maybe arrange for you to pick it up Thursday or Friday daytime.

Kev

Bad/good luck Harvey,

There is a little Ducati widget that fits under the drive sprocket cover to protect the crank cases in the event of chain failure - a little bit of peace of mind for next time. Costs about £25.

I've had 1 on order for about 6 weeks - summer time in Italy.

I'll look up the part number and post it.

After your experience I can see a run on these parts happening.

Spinoli

Yeah...I've seen those before...look like I may be after one too now!

Kev, I can cycle over to Benson on Wednesday if thats a goer?

Harv, you lucky, lucky man....


BTW, the chainguard crankcase protector widget thing will stay on permanent back order as it's a discontinued item :(
I've tried 3 different dealers with the same result.

If anyone has one we could copy it. otherwise It's one of my winter "todo" tasks to make one.

[Edited on 16-8-2005 by Mr_S]