888 gearbox - alternatives?
 

Are there any? A breaker has offered me an ST4S engine for £1K+VAT! or a 916 or 748 gearbox. Will either of these gearboxes fit my 888 strada (which has 2.5 teeth missing from 6th)

I have a parts list for my bike, my local mechanic said the individual gears had different part numbers from his 916 parts fiche, but would the pair of shafts and gears from another bike fit?

I've been waiting since September for the individual pinions, but have had no word on a delivery date. Meanwhile, my usual ducati specialists here in Aberdeen have closed down. I so much want to get my 888 fired up again.

Thanks, AA

Would have thought a Ducati dealer would know if the parts were still available,even though the part numbers may have changed.The time it takes for parts delivery is ridiculous,but it seems to be part of the deal.
An expert will no doubt come along shortly with an answer,theyre good here!.

I would give either Moto Rapido or JHP a call they may be able to help.
quite often ratios are different as they are between the 916 and 748 but the 748 gear clusters go into a 1994 916 Strada and end up giving you a closer ratio gearbox. So you may find it is the same for the 888

AA,

Here is a list of the various Ducati gearboxes and where they are used. http://www.moto-one.com.au/performance/ducgearing.html

It looks like the 888 uses the standard gearbox ratios as does the 916. The SPs and the SPS use the close ratios as do all the 748s

I have been away from Aberdeen for quite a few years, who was the Ducati specialist that closed down?

Have you talked to Kenny at Aberdeen Motorcycle Service Centre?

I also have a complete 748sps gearbox that would go straight in (£65 plus p&p to you) but beware.......

The later boxes had a longer output shaft, I forgot this on the "putting a 996 engine in your 888" post.

IMO, put the ST4s engine in. If you strip your 888 to get the engine out your half way there, and if you have to pay someone to strip and rebuild your 888, you probably pay for the ST4s engine too.

My std st4s engine, plus a cam dial in and a decent exhaust, was set up to produve 117 at the rear tyre.

Yep..the SP5 (and possibly the 4) has the same box as a 748 doesnt it for closer ratios?

Nat

Thanks for your replies. I stripped the engine down myself, it has been lying all about my garage since September. It was Kenny at Aberdeen Motorcycle Service Centre that re-ground the valves and set the clearances for me, in advance of the re-build, but they have now closed. The parts have been coming in drips and drabs, but I'm still short of the head gaskets and gearbox bits.

Having thought about the problem overnight, again.. I think I'll have to take the cheaper option of fixing the gearbox this time. If the engine goes bang again, I'll definately go down the ST4 line, if for no other reason than to get an engine I can get spares for.

AA

888 gearbox
 

I have a complete 888sp4 gearbox.

I'm putting it on ebay next week but if you're interested I can take some pics and you can make me an offer.

My bike snapped it's crank a few months ago and I replaced the whole bottom half of the engine. The gearbox was unaffected.

Bike is running with strada gears and seems to be same ratios as SP4. (Could be wrong of course - I'm still running it in...in the garage - too bloody cold)

My crankshaft is available also - cheap!

Cheers

Fred - think you'll find the strada and SP4 top ratios are different mate...WVT will be along shortly to confirm !!

Nat

Hi guys

Without getting technical or quoting specifics, here's how the ratios appear to compare between Strada and SP models:

1st gear = same cog in both boxes
2nd gear = same cog in both boxes
3rd gear = lower ratio in SP
4th gear = lower ratio in SP
5th gear = lower ratio in SP
6th gear = lower ratio in SP

The SP has a higher final drive ratio though (chain/sprocket combination), and this means that 1st and 2nd gears feel much higher than on the Strada. Moving off from a standstill is a real pain, so it's not much fun in town.

Oddly, 6th gear on the SP is so low that on the road its an exact match for only 5th gear on the Strada. Ride your Strada along a motorway in 5th gear, and you'll get a sense of how the SP feels in top gear.

Where the Strada uses three gears to get from 2nd - 5th (in terms of ratio change), the SP uses four for exactly the same job. Hence, the top four gears on the SP are very closely spaced.

Fred - You'll probably find that fitting a Strada gearbox to the SP will make it a better road bike. SP box is better suited to the track.

As clear as mud, eh?

Steve

888 gearbox
 

You're probably right, but how would that affect a standard strada? When I rode my bike (with 851 box) home, top felt no different - but I was cruising due to the wind, snow, rain and hail I was experiencing. (I'm in Scotland)

Fred

888 gearbox
 

Steve,

You threw your message in just before I replied to Nat and answered my question before it was asked.

Who said there's no such thing as telepathy.

Fred

Fred - Are you saying that after fitting an 851 box to your SP4 it made no difference to the top gear ratio? It should have! My own (standard) SP4 revs 500 rpm higher than my (standard) 94 model Strada at the same speed (70mph) in top gear.

Bear in mind the the early SP was badged as an 851 anyway. Was your '851' gearbox maybe taken from an SP2/3?

Oh well, the answer's been answered again. Doh!

888 gearbox
 

Steve.

What I meant was:

I've only ridden the bike once - when I picked it up from the shop after the rebuild. It has new pistons and the bottom end is a pre 500 miler so I was riding half throttle everywhere for running in. I did notice the difference with the first gear though. I think I'll hold on to the old gearbox as well as the crankcases as they should really be kept with the bike. (in case I sell to someone who has the patience and ability to restore her to total SP4)
Cheers
Fred

Do check your sprockets too Fred - or everything else means zilch. SP4 came with 15/36 teeth. If this final drive is matched with an 851 gearbox, I should think you'll have a very high top gear! (Strada uses 15/37)