Just been hit by the same problem myself, four rockers on the rear cylinder on a 2002 748R after 6000 miles!!:mad:

There doesn't seem to be any real pattern to the problem.
I've had a few recently that have needed replacing. 748R a little over a year old, 6k. 748BP, '99 ish 4.5k miles, Rockhoppers ST4 can't remember details (sorry Paul), yet my own bike '98 748, has 17k miles on it and hasn't had one yet.........ever.

It's about time that it was sorted IMO. There have been several part number changes and the only thing that seems to change is the price..........it goes up. :mad:

I'm starting to look around at some hard chroming companies and see if they can be refurbished and have proper chrome plated on them. It's not rocket science. It just needs to be done properly to an agreed standard.

rant over :cool:

... Nelly and you forgot about the 6 of them that you replaced on my 916. Trackbike though so that had to be expected!

Neil just did one on my ST4S.....didn't cost me anything though - phew!:P

Rocker information
 

All,

For those of you worrying about rockers, try having a look at the Sigma Performance website. They have a lot of experience with Ducs and have some interesting theories about why it happens. Upshot is that you should always let your bike tickover (i.e. not rev it) for the first 90 seconds. This is due to oil starvation of the rear rocker arms (all drained back to the sump)

You will note that the rear rockers seem to be the ones that fail. Also more predominant on 748s than the bigger bore bikes.

Also spoke to local dealer who confirmed that it was not worth worrying unduly about.

Hope this helps some.
Cheers,

Simon

So if that's the case...... then why did one of my 996 front openers go then????

That is the problem with theories - they are just that.

Until someone comes up with the definitive answer, I just guess we're going to have to get used to hearing the immortal words, " They all do that sir! " and not worry unduly about lashing out loads of cash should one of them wreck my camshafts when comitting suicide?

Ah well, if you can't take a joke, then you shouldn't have bought a Duke;)

Cheers

Andy:P:P

Andy,

All I'm doing is relaying the details. The "majority" of the faults happen on the rear rockers and it seems to be more "common" on 748's. That's not to say that it doesn't happen in other forms on other bikes.

As for theories that's all anything is. However as Sigma see a few bikes and know a thing or two, I'd trust their evidence based experience.

p.s. how were the rest of yours holding up?

Cheers,

Simon

My point is that there are many theories, but the people who SHOULD have the answer - Ducati - seem to be both quiet in saying what causes it and not very good at solving it ( or not that bothered which ever way you look at it )

I think we are on version 4 or 5 of the rockers now?

How come I mercilessly thrashed my ST2 & the rockers were untouched.

I didn't mean it to sound like a dig at you or Sigma, Simon, but it don't arf get me back up when there is an obvious problem and the company seems to bury it's head in the nearest Fire bucket.

Oh well, at least it's stopped raining!

Andy

;):P;):P;):P;):P;):P;):P;):P;):P;):P;):P;):P;):P;) :P

And the rest of them were fine 2000 miles ago, right Neil? :roll:

Andy,

Sorry for sounding a bit narky/hurt, I'm having the mother of all days workwise.

Must be particularly galling, particularly if you have been affected.

Regards,

Simon