My christmas present , this year is a 78 900 GTS. Unfortunatly, in a basket or two. The previous owner had 2 problems .
The engine smokes under power,or at high speed.
Hard to start & poor idle. I would like to ID the manufacturer, and maybe get test specs for the ignition.
#'s on engine 854251 dm860. VIN 844241.
Basket case
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Craig in France
- Paso 906
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:58 pm
- Location: Montpellier, France
Smokey GTS etc
Hi,
These engines can suffer from worn/perished valve guide seals which can cause smoking as you describe. Easy fix, and if the heads are off, you'd be best to change them anyway. If it's rings, you've got more of a task, I'm afraid ...
I haven't got any of my books here (you might want to get a copy of Ian Falloon's 'Ducati Twins Restoration Guide'), so don't know whether by 1978 the GTS had the Bosch ignition system or was still using the Ducati Eletronnica system. If it's the Ducati system, the components aren't generally repairable and new replacement parts won't be available. You'd be better getting an after-market system. If it's the Bosch system, it's very reliable except ...
As much reported here and elswhere, the wires to the ignition pick-ups loose their insulation. This leads to shorting and attendent starting/running problems. Again, easy fix using heat shrink; BUT setting the pick-ups up again requires a special tool and an amount of experience and/or patience. The procedure is described in the factory workshop manual which also gives all the advance specifications.
Idling problems could well be dirty carbs. Again as much reported here, the carbs are sensitive instruments and suffer in particular from clogging if the bike isn't used regularly. IMHO, your best bet would be to send them to a specialist with the right gear to set them up right - Steve, our Forum Maestro for example.
HTH
Craig in UK
These engines can suffer from worn/perished valve guide seals which can cause smoking as you describe. Easy fix, and if the heads are off, you'd be best to change them anyway. If it's rings, you've got more of a task, I'm afraid ...
I haven't got any of my books here (you might want to get a copy of Ian Falloon's 'Ducati Twins Restoration Guide'), so don't know whether by 1978 the GTS had the Bosch ignition system or was still using the Ducati Eletronnica system. If it's the Ducati system, the components aren't generally repairable and new replacement parts won't be available. You'd be better getting an after-market system. If it's the Bosch system, it's very reliable except ...
As much reported here and elswhere, the wires to the ignition pick-ups loose their insulation. This leads to shorting and attendent starting/running problems. Again, easy fix using heat shrink; BUT setting the pick-ups up again requires a special tool and an amount of experience and/or patience. The procedure is described in the factory workshop manual which also gives all the advance specifications.
Idling problems could well be dirty carbs. Again as much reported here, the carbs are sensitive instruments and suffer in particular from clogging if the bike isn't used regularly. IMHO, your best bet would be to send them to a specialist with the right gear to set them up right - Steve, our Forum Maestro for example.
HTH
Craig in UK