SPS parts needed, pretty urgent now.....
 

I'm still in need of some parts to get the sps back together and running again.
this is probably a shot in the dark, but I need the following parts, and I prefer genuine parts for the bike in question.

they are as follows for an 888SPS .

1x cylinder barrel
1x cylinder head
1x complete set of valves
1x piston and rings.

I have managed to source all other parts that were damaged and that I needed , but am short on items above.

failing that, any contact number of bods that could help me out on parts.

cheers
robin

I am really, really, really glad that you are going the distance with this bike.

I can't help with any of the parts because I couldn't even aspire to SPS ownership, but my view is that anybody who buys a bike like this isn't really the owner, just the custodian of a super rare piece of Ducati history with a responsibility to do their utmost to keep it for posterity.

This doesn't mean "don't use it for the purpose that it was designed", I'm all for that! My Uncle has always been into vintage cars, I've been to several vintage racing event's with him as a kid and I've always admired people who have owned precious objects like a vintage "Birdcage" Maserati and are still ragging the arse off them round Silverstone.

However, they've also got the attitude that if they bend it they'll mend it- on the grounds that with things like these, which are made from unobtainium, any time that one of these things is "written off" it's not just a loss to the owner, but the entire community of enthusiasts.

Since there are so few 888 SPS's in existance it would be a crying shame to lose one...like the last Spitfire

[Edited on 15-6-2005 by Jools]

thanks jools, I've had so many sleepless night over this bike, keep it, sell, even break it up.

but at the end of the day, it's a bike I allways dreamed of having at sometime in my life, at whatever the damage to my wallet.

So it's full steam ahead and sort her out, hopefully sooner than later, and before summer ends.
Was hoping to get up to the lakes raid meet on her, but thats looking a bit tight now.

cheer mate
robin

Very eloquently put, Jools. I couldn't agree more.

Hi Robin,
Am very glad you have decided to keep the bike. Once it's back together and you spend more time on it, you'll love it :D
Have had a look in my owners manual and it shows the SP4 /SPS valve diameter as being the same. I don't know how far you got with a parts list, but do you know if the part numbers are different? Maybe the valves are the same as the SP4? Know it's not much but it may help.
Re your other post, I can't help you, as the only information I have on the differences between the SP4/ SP5/ SPS/ Corsa motors is from magazine articles at the time, and they all give different information. (how unusual.......:) )
My SPS was originally imported into the UK by Steve Wynne, who used to have Sports Motorcycles in Bollington, Cheshire. I know the shop is no longer there, but Steve used to have something to do with the DOC as an officer of the club, although they don't list him on the club website.
Maybe he is still about, I've no idea but it may be worth a shot?
Keep us up to date with your progress, I look forward to hearing it's back on the road.
Regards,
Gary.

Robin, do you have any part numbers? What's the engine number? What year was it built? Do you know if it is the same engine spec as a 888R?

Robin

Also glad you decided not to break the bike. If you need any help with part numbers, there's a chap on the Yahoo 851 group that has always been very helpful. Have a look there, or let me know if you want his contact details. I believe Steve Wynne is still around and interested in Ducatis - I spoke to him about footrests not that long ago. I've probably got the number somewhere if you can't find it. There are people at ProTwins (Brett) and Moto Rapido (Steve or Wilf) who are very keen on 851/888 bikes, might be worth a call; also Alec Short at ProTeam Ducait in Wimbledon.

Good luck

Andrew

Lily lives in Bollington (apparently :rolleye: ) I know where the shop was etc, just trying to see if anyone round here might have any contact details for Steve.

Robin, I assume Ducati do not make these parts anymore? do you have part numbers? bit of a long shot but a friend of a friend knows someone in Italy who can get any Ducati Part upto RS spec if they have the part number.

Steve Wynne - Disley, Stockport, Tel:- 01663 765238

hi Steve,i will be seeing the guru tomorro ,i know he has just bought back his sps that he used to race ,i will ask if he has or knows of any spares
Butch

thanks for all reply guys, all info much appreciated.
getting part numbers of bits I need together.

will update this post shortly

cheers
robin

Maybe this helps (see attachment). Let me know what you need.

Forgive my ignorance...and I'm probably going to say the most ridiculous thing now...but do Ducati not provide spares for these bikes? I'm presuming that if they do support your particular (gorgeous) model they would no doubt take months going about it, and then charge the earth for doing it...right?

Andy Roberts DD rider#99

Very reasonable assumption. However, for the older, very limited production bikes, many parts are no longer available, especially the ones that weren't common with the street going versions. Some still are, though. Price wise, yes, never cheap, sometimes silly money.

Robin,

I thouht I'd posted this reply earlier today. Have you pinged Mike C and Marvin J on the 851 board. Both own 888 race bikes (Fctory) and Mike also has an SPS. As you know, these guys are a mine of info and have spares too. Getting them to part with stuff, another story.

Rgds, Rob

Rob,
Have you a link to the US board?
Thanks in advance,
Gary.:)

thanks rob, next on my to do list mate.
looks like there is also going to be crankshaft and shell issues now,:(:(.
solved one question though, SP4 and SPS have same heads and barrels,but SPS has the corsa crank and gearbox. But one odd thing has come to light,the valves I've measured this afternoon are not the same as the stated ones (SPS 30/34)that should be in the bike, so something amiss here to start with.
I am begining to think this bike was upgraded by the previous owner just after he bought it, although documentation does not mention any engine mods, but then it is mostly all in Italian
:o:o

but will have to triple check just in case.

speak to you soon rob

Doesn't sound like you need my help, then.

Robin,

Remember, many of these and SP4's where used by racers in the Italian series when they first came out. I'd take a bet that a lot where fiddled with. That, and the fact that Ducati couldn't tranlate the phrase "Standard Specification", for years. Don't you remember when the first 916's came out, everyone seemed to be slightly different as it rolled off the lines

thanks for your link felix, it is a very usefull piece of info.

At worse case what with the cranshaft issue etc, a few bods have sugested having the engine totally rebuilt to proper 888 racing spec, but not qutie sure what that might be, and what it would involve etc, what are your thoughts on this line of upgrade.
At the moment, the costs of repairs are pretty high, just to get it back to normal mode, so upping the spec may not be totally out of the question.

cheers

Robin,
Just speculation, but I remember talking to Roy Armstrong about these bikes and he told me that they were produced and released in batches over a period of time rather than all at once.
As Rob says, maybe each batch was slightly different.
Regards,
Gary.

I have a 888 racing parts list on cd-rom(and hard copy) if it's any help.It's as close as i can get to parts list for mine.

you could be right gary,
the heads on my bike have got bigger valves fitted, pretty well certain that they are 37 exh and 31 inlet.
this could mean the heads are 888R items with bigger valves etc, or could mean nothing at all.
the part number does not match with ones I've checked against so far.


still looking into cams, pistons etc.

this is all getting just a tad confusing , but I'll get there in the end.

thanks
robin

where do I find this yahoo 851 group guys.

any chance of a link.

thanks


found it......




[Edited on 16-6-2005 by Red SPS]

dont know if these could help out with the valves?? a mate used them to source some inlets and head work for NC30

http://www.cylinderheadshop.co.uk/gns.html

thanks mate, all info is much appreciated.



red...

Robin

Not sure if you found the Yahoo site, but the link is:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ducati851/

You just have to sign up.

Andrew

yep found it ok andrew.

cheers

Glad to see you're sticking with it Robin,it'll be worth it mate.

Robin, I've been off the board for a couple of days but I'm thrilled to bits to see that you're restoring the SPS to its former glory.

Very best of luck with it.

Robin,

I recently bought some parts for an SP3 from Ducati. For things like the piston rings, head gaskets and shell bearings the system showed the old part numbers superceded by more recent 916 parts and all in stock.

The SP5 barrel is the same as an SP3. I got a pair of used SP5 barrels and pistons for UKP 70 on e-bay a few months ago. Worth keeping an eye out for parts there.

Mike
851 SP3
996 SPS
Brutale

Was talking to John Hackett today ,he has just returned from America,and he bought a pair of 888 corse heads whilst he was there,he needs them for his 888 corse as it has a damaged head,but he will have one undamaged head for sale.
I told him i would post this ,so if it is any use give him a ring .
Butch
P.s he thinks the valves are 36 or37/31

[Edited on 8-8-2005 by butch890]

Yes, I saw John at DOCC Grattan (http://www.docc.ca/html/events.html) and the heads he bought. Quite a deal he got.