Chain broken on ST4s (update)(further update)
 

News just in!! The hole and damage wasn't as bad as it first looked. After removing all body work and eventually the Generator casing/cover, the damage was plugged and schrapnel removed and the bike seems as good as new!!!!! BIG sigh of relief!!
Tanx for all who contributed/ helped in any way. Cheers!

[Edited on 15-8-2005 by dirtdigger]

Generator,starter sprag clutch, flywheel and outer gearchange mechanism.

Mmmm, thanx Rushjob. Which part from your list is likley to be above the sprocket, immediately above it?

That's the gearchange mech - it's fairly robust so I wouldn't have thought it would be too bad in there..

Do u think it'd be ok to plug the hole, put on new sprockets etc. and see what happens, or could this be very expensive? Do u know how much work it would be to remove the covers etc. to inspect the damage?

To be honest I'd get the cover removed first to see exactly what has happened as well as seeing what if anything is now floating around in the bottom thebottom section of thatcasing opensdirectly into the main crankcase IIRC...you don't want a lump of alloy suddenly getting itself jammed somewhere.
I'd speak to someone like Neil at Cornerspeed before I did anything...I'm just hazarding a reasonable guess... he'll know more accurately.

Sound advice dude. That's what I thought too, just to be safe. Must be cheaper than a engine trashed! Thanx.

having heard this horror story i have ordered a #46010301A £16.99 from WM Snell, should be in by Friday

I take it that'll be the steel gadget that fits over the sprocket to protect the engine cases, shame Ducati don't see fit to include this at manufacture. Cost I suppose.

yep that it is and yes it is a shame Ducati dont fit them as standard. Before anyone else buys one WM Snell are confident it will fit an ST4 but cannot guarantee it. I will report back when I have it and have tried it.