Jase,
There are two type of "sprocket flange" (the bit that the sprocket bolts onto) - the early ones which uses a circlip to hold a washer in place, and the later ones (late 996 onwards) that get rid of the circlip for a big washer.
I had the swarf problem because the circlip groove wears, allowing the whole flange assembly to back onto the swingarm and wear it down - hence the swarf. Note that this is completely different to the cush drives back out and cause wear.
I replaced the sprocket flange with a later version (£35 from a breaker) which has no circlip so it's definitely not that! The quick release carrier I have also has lips in it to stop the cush drives backing out, so it can't be that either!
There was a long thread about this a while back with pics -
http://ducatisportingclub.com/xmb/vi...=6972#pid59577 I missed your thread as I've been on me hols last week!
I've not noticed it before, but then I've never checked it either. I was just cleaning the chain the other day and felt the play. It was just a general question to see if it's supposed to be like that.