My 900SL - todays highs and lows

[ziggi]

So I was due to pick up the 900SL from protwins today but unknown to us all was the fact that the tank was full of, well, water and sludge. So much that Pete had never seen the likes of it before.

We feared the worse but fortunately, a tank drain and clean plus a carb dismantel and she was able to fire up. The tank was generally ok and I think we were expecting a replacement or repair at best, but all seems ok. Might need some more work after a test

The high was that, as I suspected when I looked at it and saw the blue trumpets from the carbs, that it does have the FCR41 Keihin flat-sides on it. Not that I'd notice the difference as I have not even riden it yet.

Anyone know how on earth it could have so much crap in the tank and how it got there? The fuel filter was black as your hat.

[ali]

The seal around the tank cap perishes really easily and could be the source of the water.

Good news about the flatslides, they're a great mod to have. Nick at PDQ did a fine job of setting mine up:

http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/xmb/viewthread.php?action=attachment&tid=22306&pid=211378

Cheers,

Ali

[ziggi]

So that was 2 runs one with FCR41s and one with FCR41s with something else. What was the something else? Jetting and fettling? And what was the without FCR41s run like bhp wise? Could you feel the difference?

It was mentioned that the petrol cap was bolted on the wrong way round - could that have caused it. Ok maybe water but all this sludge? Where's it come from?

Cheers Ali.

[Edited on 4-2-2006 by ziggi]

[Iconic944ss]

Sludge could be corrosion from the water or deposits from the petrol being left too long.....I've had a similar prob:

http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=13953

FCR's as well eh? - you lucky, lucky boy.

Frank

[ali]

Both with FCRs (I put them on before giving them the bike), the first is when they got her, the second when they finished.

The throttle response if miles better than the original mikunis, mostly due to the the injector pumps. The idle on mine is still a bit ropey, but I'm assured they can be set up to be no worse than the CVs with a little fine tuning.

Not sure what she was making before, but I'd be reckoning about 73bhp. Yours may also have a lightened flywheel as it's easy was to get the engine spinning freely.

No idea where the tank sludge could've come from. Wash it out with petrol and change the fuel filter a few times this summer. FCRs are notoriously bad for running rough when they get crap in them, so if she'd feeling a bit lumpy drop the bottoms off the carbs and give em a good clean.

Cheers,

Ali

[ziggi]

thanks frank. I did find that one earlier today. The bike had not been used for a very long time (maybe 3 years) and was just in a garage so condensation could have been the cause.

BTW - I sent my details to Ducati UK with frame/engine numbers to confirm the bike. They did indeed confirm the bike as a genuine superlight Mk V but the machine was never intended for UK - it was supposed to be in Japan. I don't know how it found it's way here but it was sold as a new bike from Aye Gee (Kent?). All these very interesting and Ducati-esq anomolies cetainly make life a bit more interesting.

[ziggi]

:(

[Edited on 5-2-2006 by ziggi]

[Iconic944ss]

No probs...interesting history!!!

As Ali says - a few filter changes and I imagine she'll be fine, speaking of which - I know the Mikuni's have extra filters on the inlets of the carb bodies, is there any thing similar on the FCR's to look out for I wonder???

F

[yorkie]

Cladosporium resinae - this could be what the slime is!

I used to work a lot with fuel, and old fuel, with a high moisture content, in differing temperatures can grow all softs of sludge!

That is why storage tanks, and trucks used for storage have the ability to flush themselves through a filter pack!

Yorkie.

[philfingers]

One way the water gets in is due to a blcoked or crimped drain. There's a drain under the top tank surface of the cap but above the actual rubber seal. This drain runs down to towards the back of the engine to drain anywater that gets in there, ie when washing or parked in the rain. This can get crimped, hinging the tank up pulls the pipe up slightly but when it the tank goes back down it can crimp the drain. Water then sits under the cap (but above the rubber seal), until that is when you open the tank and then it goes into the tanks, water is heavier than fuel so sits at the bottom and rusts your tank! Easily cured by making sure the drain hose is pulled down once you put the tank down to it's running position

[Zimbo16]

I've got FCR41s on my early 900 monster, a very noticable difference over the standard carbs.
I put it on the dyno last week, the chart shows 84.15bhp and 65 ft-lbs of torque with open airbox and filter, and race cans, standard is around 74bhp. Definately worth having!!!!

[ziggi]

Thanks everyone - at least the tank wasn't damaged or need sealing.

The bike seems to have the Sudco kit: FCRs, K&N, open airbox, throttle cables & open termi pipes. And 10 bhp is very nice increase. I am pleased.

[Edited on 5-2-2006 by ziggi]

[Zimbo16]

Dyno chart here, if you're interested.

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=15855

[ali]

Originally posted by Zimbo16
I put it on the dyno last week, the chart shows 84.15bhp and 65 ft-lbs of torque with open airbox and filter, and race cans
:o:(

Bloody hell! Lightened flywheel please sir!

Can you say who's dyno that was on by any chance? I know there's a few that are over-optimistic, but none that would make anywhere near that difference.

[Zimbo16]

The dyno was Race Developments in Gloucester (Tim Radley), it's a fairly new Dynojet 250i load control Dyno, it measured Phoenix's M600 race bike at just under 51bhp so I believe it to be reasonably accurate.

http://www.racedevelopments.co.uk/

Lightened flywheel already fitted a few weeks ago, now wheelies off the throttle in 2nd as well as first :P

[Edited on 5-2-2006 by Zimbo16]

[ali]

Definitely in good shape then. That's at least 5bhp more than I've heard of a 900 making without breathing mods. Very tidy indeed.

Unfortunately I've got a 620 to get going first..... the SL will have to live with suspension and brake upgrades this year. :)

Cheers,

ali

[FiscusFish]

I reckon it's had work done inside too that you don't know about, head work or pistons. Either that or you've got easily the strongest standard Monster in the world....

Darren

[Zimbo16]

It may have, I've had no indication that it has from the guy I bought it off, but I suppose he might not have known either. I'd always assumed it was standard, never had it apart to look though. The V5 does list the CCs as 980 though???? Always assumed it was a lie, as I don't know of a 980cc kit.

[Iconic944ss]

Dont be so sure......I remember seeing a kit that was BIGGER than my 944cc but cant recall the details - who's a big boy then - :D:D:D

[Zimbo16]

Hmmm perhaps that £1500 bargain I got was an even bigger bargain than I thought then?
Nice to have something go my way for a change . . . :roll:

Perhaps I need to nip back to the dyno with some high octane fuel in it and no anti - carb icing additive, muck about with the needle heights for a bit and see just what I can get out of it???

[ali]

There are a number of kits bigger than 944, but most require some machine work so aren't that popular. A bigger capacity would explain both why yours makes it's power lower down and where you get the extra 9% of torque from. :)

9% increase in capacity = 9% increase in torque!

Must be lovely to ride :D

[TP]

Originally posted by ali
There are a number of kits bigger than 944, but most require some machine work so aren't that popular. A bigger capacity would explain both why yours makes it's power lower down and where you get the extra 9% of torque from. :)

9% increase in capacity = 9% increase in torque!

Must be lovely to ride :D

Wipe your chin tiger, unless you have a spare keyboard ;)

:lol:

[FiscusFish]

http://www.ducati-kaemna.de/cms_en/katalog.htm?&view=artikel&artikel=480 .......

[Zimbo16]

Hmmm will have to have a look at my piston crown shape, I'm sure they're flat on top though.

[Iconic944ss]

Apart from checking the barrel stampings (would it have the capacity there as most seem to) - would a compression check be in order perhaps?

ps - well remembered Darren !!!

F