Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Supersports: SS / SuperSport / Supersport 950 > Always problems……

[Iconic944ss]

Miffed does not really sum it up really.

I honestly think I’ve spent more time working on my Duke than riding it now!

But just in case something of recent events is of use to anyone, I’ll do a bit of spleen venting !!!

I’ve had a few projects planned and deciding I wanted to do the Cadwell trackday was the catalyst for it all really….so lets go…..

Service Time
Went OK really …. Mobil1 10/40 and a new K&N oil filter (Very Good),
Check air filter, clean plugs and through check over resulted in the present of a non-starting bike. Charge battery back up again and she fired up a treat.

Checked over nice Magnesium Marchesini I want to fit only to find it was built up previously for a 20mm front axle and mine is a 17mm front axel. Order all parts needed to rebuild.

Buy nice Toby steering damper and Pirelli Diablo Corsa tyres from BFM distribution and am very happy with sticky rubber doughnuts that arrive two days later.

Downhill…
Take bike in for MOT…..failed on loose rear wheel bearings….warned of slight buckle in front wheel…

Won an auction on Ebay for an old, old standard rear wheel that is going to need overhauling before use anyway so, time to get some practise in.
Back wheel out, quite difficult to remove bearings even using a long parallel sided flat punch. So used destruction technique I’ve posted about (removing a bearing cage and moving the balls around to be able to dislodge the inner sleeve).

A quick run over to a bearing stockist later, £6.50 ea for the bearings. Thankfully, the sprocket carrier bearings were fine but the MOT guys were spot on, the outer bearing was starting to break up and the whole plot feels much better once renewed.
(NB…..I did try checking for play in both wheels but, the slack could only be detected in one or two places in the back wheel so, it pays to check right around the full rotation of the wheel, I guess).

Grrrr…another half fee paid for MOT…but at least the grubby little document is in my hands.

Enjoyable afternoon and a nice blat back from Croft are about the best bits I can remember recently !

New front wheel parts arrived from ‘specialist’…..WRONG SIZE……they sent 20mm !!! Darn. Phoned back quoting chassis number to be told there were some variations for my model year…..Ho Hum…..always use ZDM number I guess, old parts sent back…awaiting correct parts now.

Found someone local to overhaul my forks for me so, time to try my hand at building some supports so that I can suspend the front end. Thanks to Skidlids for posting a link to a site for fork overhauls and providing the idea for building some….thankfully I was able to procure a nice solid nickel bar of just the right diameter as well…..piccy enclosed later.

So, forks out and taken to work then, unable to get hold of the rebuild guy and almost wasted a journey. Finally made contact and can take then to him early next week for quick turn around.

BUT !!! (yes, more)……felt a bad notch in the steering head bearings that I only renewed for the MOT last year, its at about 45° between centre and the right lock. Can’t notice it when the bike is stood on its wheels so, I’ve pulled the headstock out and cleaned the bearings up again that had dirtied up surprisingly in only a year. I’ve degreased them and will have to try them again, fingers crossed.

Thank god I have a holiday block coming up before the trackday as at this rate I’m going to be using rebuilt forks, new tyres I’ve never tried before, a lightweight front wheel with new semi-race pads (going to try some new Bendix pads) and I have a feeling I’m running out of time already for fitting the gear indicator I’d planned.

I’m so glad I don’t have a real job !!!

Frazzled Frank

[Jonathan Novice]

Hi Frank,
Sorry to hear about your woes etc.Picked up my super light yesterday and I am very pleased.I would be very insterested in performance enhancements that you have carried out and about your digi gear etc.
All the best,
Jonathan:P

[Dave G]

Welcome to the 'unfinished project bike' club Frank.:P
Look on the bright side though....at least your engine works.

[FiscusFish]

Performance wise I wouldn't have thought there was anything left to do to your bike Jonathan. Does it have a lightweight flywheel?

Looking at the pictures of it it appears to still have the original wheels fitted, the ones with the riveted on rim. I've read that there can be problems with the rear wheel "hub retaining screws" failing. There was a recall to replace the screws.

Saying that if they're 12 years old they must be OK or have already been replaced. I'm sure you can speak to someone at your local dealers and they can check for you.

[Iconic944ss]

Hee Hee, kinda gets to ya at times......

I guess really it comes with the territory of having an 'older woman'

Erm...performance mods.

Bike came to me with 944cc kit fitted, I cant remember the name of the manufacturer for the life of me and having never ridden a standard 900ss cant tell if its an improvement or not (but I have more bottom end grunt than my mates 108bhp TL Su*uki - LOL).
K&N reuseable filter - Good upgrade.
Larger main jet fitted to match 944 kit
Carbon open end cans (too loud).


STuff I've done...

Nology - 'high performance' HT wires (no real difference).

NGK Iridium plugs - better starting

Dynojet stage 2 kit fitted.....stronger midrange power but there is still too much hesitation for me when cracking the throttle open at low revs.

I'd love to smooth the above out but, to tell the truth I'm quite happy with the engine and am concentrating fully on getting the handling nice now.

WP shock has helped, new tyres / wheel will hopefully help more.

Take care guys - Frank

[skidlids]

Less than 3 weeks to the trackday, soon creeps up on you and you already have a good head start on me Frank.
Things I hope to have get sorted on my BP before Cadwell

Fit Reworked Forks
Fit Wavey Discs
Fit Radial Brembo
Fit Mag wheels
Fit Slipper Clutch
Fit adjustable steering damper
Fit Penske Shock with high/low speed damping
Fit longer swingarm
Fit Lower overall gearing
Consider fitting either 50mm half or full system
and finish off by fitting track bodywork.
Luckily the ZXR for the TT is now finished and will be going testing at PBRs Pembrey trackday next Saturday and my Fireblade is 99% finished, did a few miles on it today.
So will hopefully get most of the bits fitted to the 916 in time

[Iconic944ss]

OMG Kev.....

Thanx for helping me feel better

Sounds like you might as well be riding a new bike at Cadwell with all those changes.

Easy does it eh?

[skidlids]

Frank it will be more like riding the bike I raced last year, hopefully I have the whole week before the trackday off so should get most of the changes done.

[Steve M]

Yep - sounds like Ducati ownership to me !