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Post by kenmoore on Apr 11, 2014 20:58:58 GMT 10
A Lady friend of mine owns this bike and it is in very bad shape requiring new fork seals, a hole in the radiator sorted and a major service including belts and valves. Working on this bike makes me appreciate how well thought out the Storm is. I have worked on this bike before when it was binned at turn 1 at Eastern Creek and I repaired the damage to it at a fraction of the cost that was quoted by a well known long established Ducati specialist. I have owned Dukes before and still can't believe how tedious they are to work on. Parts are ridiculously priced but hey, that goes with the territory I guess. For what this is going to cost I could buy the USD front end that I want. Anyway it's all good fun I guess!!!
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Post by 2wheelsagain on Apr 11, 2014 21:55:54 GMT 10
There's room in my garage for an 848 an ST3/4 or a big Monster. I might regret the maintenance but they're attractive motorcycles.
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Post by kenmoore on Apr 12, 2014 7:38:28 GMT 10
I do ride it on occasion and it is razor sharp over my favourite mountain.
I find it uncomfortable though!
Would hate to do along trip on it .
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Post by kenmoore on May 2, 2014 6:56:45 GMT 10
I will never whinge about manual tensioners again. Everything on this bike takes so long to do, plus everything is so hard to get to. CrickeyMo, just to change the air filter is a nightmare.
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vtrstormer
Admin
I feel the need, the need for a few twisties and a latte!
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Post by vtrstormer on May 4, 2014 7:47:52 GMT 10
I will never whinge about manual tensioners again. Everything on this bike takes so long to do, plus everything is so hard to get to. CrickeyMo, just to change the air filter is a nightmare. Hey Ken it comes down to one word...."Ducati"
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Post by kenmoore on May 4, 2014 19:45:15 GMT 10
Yes I know!
That's why I don't own one anymore'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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pete
True Stormer
Posts: 1,147
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Post by pete on May 8, 2014 10:42:34 GMT 10
I had 2 Dukes in my younger years a Darmah SSD and a 600 Pantah...the electrics were very boring...prefer my Storm any day
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vtrstormer
Admin
I feel the need, the need for a few twisties and a latte!
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Post by vtrstormer on May 8, 2014 19:18:51 GMT 10
What the rest of the bike like?
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pete
True Stormer
Posts: 1,147
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Post by pete on May 8, 2014 23:20:05 GMT 10
The SSD had a constant oil leak behind the sprocket and the fuse box on it was behind the front and rain used to get in there and "pooF no lights (boring when on the freeway at 2am)...they both handled well though ...like on rails
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pete
True Stormer
Posts: 1,147
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Post by pete on May 8, 2014 23:29:49 GMT 10
Heres a couple of pics of em...
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pete
True Stormer
Posts: 1,147
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Post by pete on May 8, 2014 23:30:51 GMT 10
You can even see the oil on the back wheel from the leaky front sprocket seal
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Post by kenmoore on May 11, 2014 18:27:08 GMT 10
Ducs have come a long way since then.
If you are not bike savy they could soon become a money pit.
That is what I like about the Storm.
You can do as little or as much as you like and they still go.
The 848 I am working on has not been loved.
Just got the leaking radiator back . Repaired for $120 by the local radiator guy or I could of sourced a new one for $800 plus. Funny thing is it is common knowledge that the radiators in these things develop a leak in the upper left corner, yet the selling dealer who serviced it has never bothered to replace it. Seems that Ducati don't do many recalls even though there are known problems with their machines.
Other things that piss me off about this bike is the quality of the fasteners, or lack of it.
They are soft as cheese and are susceptible to corrosion. Replaced a heap the last time I had it and now a whole heap this time.
Getting closer to being finished, will post up some more pics soon.
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pete
True Stormer
Posts: 1,147
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Post by pete on May 12, 2014 10:09:15 GMT 10
Too right about the Storm Ken
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Post by kenmoore on Jun 6, 2014 8:40:34 GMT 10
Well it's finally finished. What a nightmare of a bike to work on compared to the Storm. The worst part was checking the valves and getting the timing right. Only one reference mark for the timing and that is for TDC on the horizontal cylinder. With 11 degrees overlap on the valves I had to resort to a timing wheel on the crank and a dial guage on the pistons to get it right. When I changed the belts I marked the cam gears and belts. I put it back together and went for a ride and to my dismay it wasn't right. Back into the cave, joined a Duc forum and sought answers. Why the hell they don't have any reference marks is beyond me. It took hours of farting around to get it right. Buttoned her up and hey presto, all is well. bloody thing flys!!! So now the bike is all present and correct. I have done all the filters including the in tank fuel filter, changed all fluids including coolant, replaced fork seals and bushes, painted the fork stanchions due to excessive corrosion, and detailed the entire bike. I fitted Dzus fasteners to make it easier to get the fairings of and went over every nut and bolt to make sure things are right. I reckon I could rebuild one of these blindfolded now as I have become very familiar with all 700 odd pages of the work shop manual, and now I believe I know why most Ducati owners are happy when their bikes are going well. It's because it takes so much time and dedication to keep them that way. I understand and admire Ducati bikes, however the one thing that I now appreciate about our Storms is that you don't need thousands of $ worth of tools to work on them and they are a well thought out piece of kit that an average person can maintain and enjoy. Now that this thing is done I can get on with my Storm and do the wheels, new tyres, steering bearings, new chain, sprockets, Cush drive rubbers and enjoy the simple things in life like riding my Storm. YEE HA!! Here are some pics Alls well that ends well EH!!!
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vtrstormer
Admin
I feel the need, the need for a few twisties and a latte!
Posts: 1,663
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Post by vtrstormer on Jun 6, 2014 20:42:44 GMT 10
Looks good mate...yes hard work. I should have known it was going to be a tough job.....700 page manual that would do me....well done
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Post by sjscicluna on Jun 6, 2014 22:09:44 GMT 10
great stuff mate when can i drop mine off lol \\Stay Upright\\
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Post by kenmoore on Jun 7, 2014 6:59:23 GMT 10
Ef that mate.
It's Storm time now!
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Post by sjscicluna on Jun 8, 2014 13:38:57 GMT 10
good stuff cant wait to see what changes are in the pipeline for ur storm
\\Stay Upright\\
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