Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > A blast to cornwall and back.

[DC]

I had a good ride down to cornwall from London the other day. I left on the Thursday just gone and got back today. ( Sat) I made sure that I took in all my old roads with the Duke. What a day I had blasting around!!

I went down on the A303 and to be fair, it was a bit congested. But I thought, the suns out so take it easy. On the way back I had a good blast with a Repsol painted CBR. I think it was the new 1000. It was very new anyhow. He had his lady on the back. What a blast.

Getting nearer to london, still on the A303. I had another good blast with a Fazer 1000. I got a bit miffed that he was starting to pull away from me at about a 130. I could stay with him but I got the feeling that my engine was starting to loose power as the fazer was getting into its stride. My little v twin just didnt have the top end thrust of a jap 1000 four. Still, not bad for my 748/853. I have taken it up to 160 a few times but you have to be well tucked in to the bike to get it there!!! I suppose by the time im there, the 1000 fours are pumping out a bit more power that I have got. ( Times like this I wish I had my old R1!)
To be honest, at those speeds I start to feel a bit naughty really. I dont tend to go there much.

Loads of bikes out today. I stopped to clean my visor in a layby and a convoy of bikes zipped past. Nice that most of them all checked to see that I was ok.

When I got home, I noticed that the seal behind the clutch must have gone becuase I had oil all over the side of the engine casing. I also noticed that the engine breather had chucked out lots of oil vapour over the back of the engine casings. The bike is ok and running well. Its making no horrible noise but I think that I had better get it sorted. It can only be a dribble of oil or vapour but at high speeds, it is like a fine mist that goes onto the side of my exhaust. It hasnt gone near my rear tyre yet but.......................

Could the engine breather be blocked or malfunctioning? Could this be linked to the seal behind the clutch? Perhaps to much engine/oil pressure? I dunno!!

Any how, I look forward to your replys.

And,

There were loads of Dukes out today. I few 749/999 and a few of the 748/916 brigade. Good to see.

DC.

[deej]

i was out yesterday, did you come anywhere near st austell, i saw 2 unknown to me duactis in my area, i yellow and 1 had full carbon dream evoluzione bodywork, looked will trick and too expensive to be a cornish bike