The Superlight is unwell

beancounter · 15-Apr-2005, 11:49

So, out on the SL for a little blat around the country lanes yesterday evening, strange 'crunching' sort of noise then rear wheel locks solid. Skid sideways up road at x mph (where x is a large number), pull in clutch, coast to side of road.

Manage to get into neutral (so gearbox not seized) but ominous 'dead' click when pressing starter (only the once....)

2 hour wait for recovery (at least it didn't rain)

I'm not very technical (understatment) so what's gone wrong ? Belt snapped ? Piston ring(s) ?

Answers on a postcard please

ali · 15-Apr-2005, 11:57

Crunching noises not good....

Best bet is to whip the belt cover inspection plates off to see if the belts are in tact.

If so, try putting it in gear (2nd/3rd) and spinning the rear wheel to see if the pistons are free in the bores (not seized).

Then have a look at the state of the oil. Filler cap off and lean the biek over towards you. Use some kind of dibber to get a bit of oil and run it between your fingers. Any grit?

Further than that and you'll need to drain the oil. Might be worth doing so and whipping the l/h crankcase off to check alternator etc.

Good luck! If it has gone tits-up then it could be a good time for a 944 or Testarossa heads!

Cheers,

ali

Iconic944ss · 15-Apr-2005, 13:26

Ohh No...

Gutted for you BC.

Could be crank or the dreaded alternator lock nut maybe????

Time to find a good local Ducati expert me thinks.

Good luck - Frank

beancounter · 15-Apr-2005, 14:30

Thanks for the comments chaps

I get the SPS back from Baines Racing tomorrow - looks like the SL will be taking it's place in the workshop....

Now, where are those mortgage application forms ......

Screwy · 16-Apr-2005, 23:59

Sorry to hear the bad news

Hopefully it wont be as bad as it sounded .

beancounter · 21-Apr-2005, 10:30

Update for anyone interested

Well, it WAS as bad as it sounded. Baines Racing have stripped the engine and one of the high comp pistons has broken up and taken the engine with it.

So a used (but lower mileage) standard 900 engine is going in.

You've got to laugh haven't you !

Screwy · 21-Apr-2005, 23:35

Damn , thats bad luck

TP · 21-Apr-2005, 23:38

Bugger!!!

900SL Pete · 22-Apr-2005, 00:12

Any idea what caused it, are you just having bad luck mate, how many miles has the bike done should we Superlight owners worry??

Sorry to here about the bad news I have been watching this post for some days, hope you manage to get it sorted.

Regards
Pete

Iconic944ss · 22-Apr-2005, 00:48

Damn, thats bad luck.

Not heard of this before on an SL - hope it isnt a common fault.

SOunded like good leverage for some upgrades though!!!

Good luck - Frank

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15-Apr-2005, 13:26	#3
Iconic944ss Registered Forum User WSB Hero Bikes: 1993 - 944SS & Aprilia Falco Posts: 7,794 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: north east Ohh No... Gutted for you BC. Could be crank or the dreaded alternator lock nut maybe???? Time to find a good local Ducati expert me thinks. Good luck - Frank Reply

15-Apr-2005, 14:30	#4
beancounter Registered Forum User Big Twin Posts: 1,513 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: South Beds Mood: Black and grey (and a bit of red) Thanks for the comments chaps I get the SPS back from Baines Racing tomorrow - looks like the SL will be taking it's place in the workshop.... Now, where are those mortgage application forms ...... Reply

16-Apr-2005, 23:59	#5
Screwy Registered Forum User Mille Posts: 359 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bradford West Yorks Sorry to hear the bad news Hopefully it wont be as bad as it sounded . Reply

21-Apr-2005, 23:35	#7
Screwy Registered Forum User Mille Posts: 359 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bradford West Yorks Damn , thats bad luck Reply

21-Apr-2005, 23:38	#8
TP Registered Forum User MotoGP God Posts: 15,644 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Swansea Mood: 749 racebike MGP Bugger!!! Reply

22-Apr-2005, 00:12	#9
900SL Pete Registered Forum User Mille Posts: 298 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Burton Any idea what caused it, are you just having bad luck mate, how many miles has the bike done should we Superlight owners worry?? Sorry to here about the bad news I have been watching this post for some days, hope you manage to get it sorted. Regards Pete Reply

22-Apr-2005, 00:48	#10
Iconic944ss Registered Forum User WSB Hero Bikes: 1993 - 944SS & Aprilia Falco Posts: 7,794 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: north east Damn, thats bad luck. Not heard of this before on an SL - hope it isnt a common fault. SOunded like good leverage for some upgrades though!!! Good luck - Frank Reply