Marchesini - Update to first post
 

Well...its not really Marchesini's fault.

Its mine for my Ducati inexperience and innocence I guess:lol:

Middle of last year I bought a Front Marchesini for my 93 900ss - It was advertised as being for the 93 to 98 models and in good condition. I paid quite a bit for it and it did arrive in very good nick. I checked it over briefly and noted that the bearings were nice and smooth but the outer seal was missing as was the speedo drive ring.

Now that I am finally getting down to getting a new pair of tyres and have sourced a pair of discs. I thought I'd better really check the condition of the bearings properly to see if they needed changing.

So...track stands in and .... blow me cant get the wheel spindle out for starters (I remember struggling last time) - so a trip to the local auto store and a set of 1/2" sockets with Allen heads are bought even though I only need a 14mm for the spindle!

Sorted...works a treat (Halfords sell individual sockets I seem to remember).

However, offer the shiney new wheel up and - ITS NOWHERE NEAR FITTING !!!!

Surprise, surprise - the wheel has been built up to accept a 20mm spindle not the 900ss 17mm (I think it is anyway, using my cheapy vernier) spindle thats on my bike :mad:

So, even though I was probably going to change the bearings, I now have to renew all the wheel internals to just make it fit my bike - this makes me think....

Are all Ducati Marchesini (of the same rim size) made basically the same and only made to fit different bikes by the fitting of different internals/bearings?

If this is the case I think I could of saved quite a bit of money as there are many more 7** and 9** Mag wheels out there than are advertised for the older bikes.

Many thanks to JHP for sorting me out once again.

Lesson learned I think.

Hee Hee - anyway roll on Cadwell :cool:


=====================================

Update

Finally got all the internal parts I needed to complete the rebuild and guess what ????

THEY DIDNT FIT CORRECTLY!

The only bits that do (hopefully) fit correctly are the bearings.
The inner spacer tube looks like an amature had fabricated it in alloy (OK for a D.I.Y.er but I certainly hope Marchesini didnt make it or they will have gone even further down in my estimation).

The OEM part supplied to me is the same lenght but the washers/discs that mesh into a support ring inside the wheel were too wide and not quite in same horizontal placement (eg - Marchesini didnt cast it exactly the same as Brembo for example).

The difference was only about 1mm across the diameter. I was going to get it machined but then remembered my handly 'Dremmel' drill I bought and set to work.

(OK ... I can imagine you all going 'Ohhhh Nooooooo' - stop it please...this is a happy ending)

By only taking tiny bits off at a time I managed to get to an almost interference fit, so was quite chuffed.

Next, light lube - bearings chilled overnight in freezer. Bearings and spacer tube installed a treat.

*** Speedo drive ring - Guess What !!!!

DIDNT FIT !!!

Had to machine the locating lugs and a little off the outer ring to make it drop into place.

*** Speedo drive seal - Guess What !!!!

DIDNT FIT !!!

Again had to machine some of the outer edge away.

Finally got everything to fit nicely around 1am this morning and NO!!! I wasnt at work before anyone mentions

I think I'll put a piccy at the bottom when I get chance as I'm quite proud of my DIY accomplishment. Shouldn't have to but its good to overcome an obstacle.

In hind sight (!!!) since the 20mm bearings that were installed already seemed OK it might well have been easier to have a 20mm version of my Axle maufacturered by a local engineering company.

We live and learn :)

[Edited on 23-4-2004 by Iconic944ss]

Oh Dear !!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

I just raked through my hard drive and found the copy of the original German advert for the wheel (embaressed blush coming on here).

The poor guy did try to say it was a 20mm spindle in his own way.....the translation reads:

"Knock out 20mm diameter"

I should of sussed it out...oh dear !!!

I'll get my coat + bearings + seals + tubing :lol::lol::lol:

SS's have had 3 different axle sizes over their lifetime. The early ones came with 17mm, then 20mm and finally the hollow 25mm one from the SBK. So even if you had bought a 9*6 wheel you'd have had to change bearings and stuff.

To save you any hassle I could take it off your hands for, say, £50...? Only as a favour to you of course. :saint:

Done Sir !!!!

The only condition is that I bring it over to you and of course, the buyer pays ALL transport fees :D

Dont worry my friend, its a good wheel and I'm sure I'll get good use out of it !

Frank

Frank,

You say you only bought a front.....

Is there any danger in running an odd set of wheels?

I know we all try to run matching tyres and keep things in synch, but what effect would a standard Ducati rear and a Marchesini front have on the bike's handling, if any?

Cheers
Phill

Hmmmm, I didnt really think about that Phil....

I assumed that as long as the front is going to a lighter wheel and appropriate suspension mods are made then, I'd be better off????

As the rear is fixed and (hopefully) does not turn from side to side I dont think the same gains would be made. However I understand the point and can see some potential for acceleration etc....

needless to say I have my eyes on a lightweight back wheel already but this would mean scrapping the track school I'd hoped to go on :(

Decisions, decisions.....

Frank

Go on the track school Frank, go on the track school. That rear Marchesini is mine....!:devil:

Good thoughts Frank.

I've been thinking about lighter wheels for my 750ss - but then again I am always thinking about all sorts of mods. However, most of the things I have purchased so far - cans, hugger, Ventura rack - I'm hoping will be easily switched to a 900 or 1000ss when I buy one maybe next summer! Wheels wouldn't be quite the same switch as they're different sizes (as you've found out just from different 900s years).

What track school are you thinking of? I was also pondering whether to do one this year. California Superbike School has eben recommended in a few quarters. Do you have different thoughts?

Phill

Frank,

Is it a mag or ally wheel? I didn't think the ally wheel was much lighter than the 3 spoke. Whatever you have, it'd be interesteing to confirm the actual weight savings.

Thanks

Rob

Go on the track school Frank. It'll make far more difference to your riding than the marginal benefits of a rear Marchesini.

And if you ever get a different bike you won't have to flog you track experience on ebay 'cos you can take it with you :D

Having now spoken to the guy selling them it appears they originally came off an ST and the fact they have the cush drive built in says they're more than likely the standard 5 spoke alloy wheels (badged Marchesini but made by Brembo(?)). This means they only weigh 1 LB less than the 3 spokes fitted to SS's. They also look different from the "genuine" lightweight Marchesinis.

As Jools says a track school will improve your riding, although the wheel was standing at £150 with no bidders, so you'd have trouble finding a decent school that cheaply.

As an aside apparently Motorrad (a German magazine) did a test fitting lightweight wheels to one end of the bike at a time. It turned out that the rear had the most noticeable effect. Can't see it myself and I only read it on the Interweb thingy so.....

Fiscus,

If you want a pair of 5 sokes there are a set on Ebay at the mo.

Regards,

Rob

Item number: 2470886460

Thanks Rob.

Those were the ones me and Frank were talking about.

Darren

I can't see it either. My race 600 (a thundercat) steered much easier at all speeds with the front magnesium Dymag compared to standard (with either 207GP or Mich inter on both). The difference between std and Dymag rear was indetectable in both handling and acceleration.

It's worth noting that a pair of disks add 6-7lbs to front wheel weight, ie. the same as a mag Marchesini according to Shazzam's figures. [My disk weights are from the 600 again, both std and EBC Prolites weigh the same] The effect on gyroscopic force will be less however, as the weight is concentrated a little closer to the hub compared to that of the wheel.

Ive got the reverse problem..I found a new marchesini magnesium rear in some stock I bought - see pic - yum yum !, but need a front..my concern was if it would upset the bike if I just had a rear for the time being..some people say not...I assume it will still steer a little quicker, even if you only change one of the wheels, but I am told it shouldnt effect the handling??

Nat

WOW Nat - That is a tasty piece of kit.

On Ebay (somewhere) I also spotted some DB Carbon/Magnesium composite wheels that were a cancelled order that look STUNNING....mag centre and Carbon rim....but I think its for a single sided back.

I'm sorry but Shazzam has spoken
and he said "the biggest bang for your buck on a motorcycle is to buy lighter wheels" - pardon the paraphrase..... so I'll be bidding too.....:devil:

I was actually looking at the Mick Boddice track school.....CCS and Donington are a bit too expensive for me with limited track time. Howver, I read a review (I think in 'Bike' mag) that gave it a big thumbs up.
£175 using own (road legal) bike or £250 for a full day using a CBR600RR - which is the option I fancied....until a nice wheel came along of course :devil::devil:

Heres a link:

http://www.boddicedarleytraining.co.uk/

Enjoy

Booo Hoooo - didnt win the nice Marchi on Ebay, looked promising for a few final mins (until the snipes started coming in !!!).

I went to my limit of £250 but it went all the way to £287.

I must weigh my front Marchi sometime when built up and see if it compares with this guys stat's......great website anyways for 'SS' guys

http://lonestar.texas.net/~arch/ss/history.html

Ho Hummmmmmmmm

please read updated first original thread as well.....

ps - How do you DOUBLE the weight of a Mag wheel....

Simple......just add two standard discs !!!

[Edited on 23-4-2004 by Iconic944ss]