1974 Ducati 900GTS Desmo Resto-Cafe
Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 7:13 pm
This will be kind of a build thread for my engine ... I hope this is the right spot for it! let me know if its not
I've got another build thread over at DoTheTon (same thread title)
------ THE HISTORY -----
-My father bought this bike as the 2nd owner back in the early 80s ... It started out as a "860GT" which was a non-Desmo engine and slightly different tank and seat (more square like)
- he dropped a valve seat in the late 80s and out the bike in storage. (And the engine was toast.)
- we did a frame up rebuild in 2001 ... Found the GTS tank, seat, stainless fenders and other associated parts. The engine was still a non-Desmo engine at that point
- I rode it for 5 years had an absolute blast! At that point a number of electrical issues began popping up and a strange whining noise coming from the engine.
- I took the Desmo engine and Bosch ignition system out of a 1978 900SS and installed it in the bike.
- 3 years ago something let go inside the engine and I stored the bike till this winter for the rebuild. (I didn't know the history of the engine so I was always suspicious of how long it would last)
------- THE PLAN ----
- ENGINE: rebuild the engine - fairly standard rebuild maybe some goodies from Steve. depending on how trashed the engine got.
- ELECTRICAL: I had another flare up of electrical issues in the period leading up to the demise of the engine ... Worn handle bar switches, fuse box problems and burned out ignition. So I need a new fuse box and bar controls. I'll see how my budget is doing after the engine rebuild.
- TAIL: I plan on chopping up an extra regular (steel) rear fender and changing up the tail light to something a little more interesting.
Something like this:
Or modify the seat a little for an embedded look:
- GUAGES/DASH: I've had non stop problems with the original speedo and tach.... I'm running a dash and gauges out of the 900 SS; but still running into problems fairly consistently. And I'm not a big fan of the way the dash looks without the fairing surrounding the sides of the dash
- SUSPENSION: seals need replacing up front ... tired shocks out back. Again; once the engine is torn down and assessed I can budget how crazy I'm going on this end
----- ON WITH IT!! -----
Tear down Time!
Torn down ready to pull the engine.
Time to lift the bike off the engine .... Strapped the engine down to the table and pulled the bike up with the hoist
I pulled the side covers and heads off. I forgot to take pictures of the heads but luckily whatever let go isn't up there. The cylinders have a bit of scaring.... I'll have to get them measured to see what's up.
I thought the problem would be something in the clutch that let go .... But it's all there also.
So it must be something in the bottom end.
Regardless it needs a full rebuild so it doesn't matter....
Heavy scaring on the Pistons .... May not be salvageable
Heavy metal flaking in the oil passages
This weekend I'll be splitting the engine and getting into the bottom end.
I'd appreciate any help you guys have!! I build the original 860 engine (non-desmo) engine ... however I've never dove into a Desmo.
(I've got the manuals and spare parts books)
Stay tuned!
I've got another build thread over at DoTheTon (same thread title)
------ THE HISTORY -----
-My father bought this bike as the 2nd owner back in the early 80s ... It started out as a "860GT" which was a non-Desmo engine and slightly different tank and seat (more square like)
- he dropped a valve seat in the late 80s and out the bike in storage. (And the engine was toast.)
- we did a frame up rebuild in 2001 ... Found the GTS tank, seat, stainless fenders and other associated parts. The engine was still a non-Desmo engine at that point
- I rode it for 5 years had an absolute blast! At that point a number of electrical issues began popping up and a strange whining noise coming from the engine.
- I took the Desmo engine and Bosch ignition system out of a 1978 900SS and installed it in the bike.
- 3 years ago something let go inside the engine and I stored the bike till this winter for the rebuild. (I didn't know the history of the engine so I was always suspicious of how long it would last)
------- THE PLAN ----
- ENGINE: rebuild the engine - fairly standard rebuild maybe some goodies from Steve. depending on how trashed the engine got.
- ELECTRICAL: I had another flare up of electrical issues in the period leading up to the demise of the engine ... Worn handle bar switches, fuse box problems and burned out ignition. So I need a new fuse box and bar controls. I'll see how my budget is doing after the engine rebuild.
- TAIL: I plan on chopping up an extra regular (steel) rear fender and changing up the tail light to something a little more interesting.
Something like this:
Or modify the seat a little for an embedded look:
- GUAGES/DASH: I've had non stop problems with the original speedo and tach.... I'm running a dash and gauges out of the 900 SS; but still running into problems fairly consistently. And I'm not a big fan of the way the dash looks without the fairing surrounding the sides of the dash
- SUSPENSION: seals need replacing up front ... tired shocks out back. Again; once the engine is torn down and assessed I can budget how crazy I'm going on this end
----- ON WITH IT!! -----
Tear down Time!
Torn down ready to pull the engine.
Time to lift the bike off the engine .... Strapped the engine down to the table and pulled the bike up with the hoist
I pulled the side covers and heads off. I forgot to take pictures of the heads but luckily whatever let go isn't up there. The cylinders have a bit of scaring.... I'll have to get them measured to see what's up.
I thought the problem would be something in the clutch that let go .... But it's all there also.
So it must be something in the bottom end.
Regardless it needs a full rebuild so it doesn't matter....
Heavy scaring on the Pistons .... May not be salvageable
Heavy metal flaking in the oil passages
This weekend I'll be splitting the engine and getting into the bottom end.
I'd appreciate any help you guys have!! I build the original 860 engine (non-desmo) engine ... however I've never dove into a Desmo.
(I've got the manuals and spare parts books)
Stay tuned!