See below regarding my attempts to remove the front screw from my 749 airbox. Anybody know how to remove this screw please? @nelly ? Thanks.
Just had the same issue with my 848 - had to change the airbox. BUT what is more annoying is the cost of the replacement screws - over £8 per screw and they're not even titanium!!
I don’t think that one was, but massive range out there and I’m sure on eBay and Amazon and certainly less than £8 a screw and in stainless steel..
Fingers crossed that the sellers are specific about the thread diameter and pitch, as sometimes this is a pain in the arse getting details and it’s trial and error and buy as a sample et cetera. Some sellers take for ever replying when they haven’t specified a pitch on a regular thread, let alone a tapper!
I've posted this several times on here in the past. One of the most useful tools I've ever brought. https://www.drapertools.com/product/75305/hose-clip-driver-6mm-and-7mm/ I've used it lots over the years in awkward places. Specifically on my 999 project it enabled me to remove and replace the awkward hose clip on the hose to the Vert Cylinder behind the frame tube, but also with a screwdriver bit installed from a driver set I've used it to remove the airtube/filter screws and the screw you are talking about at the front of the airbox. The Bit does need to fit the screwhead well and you have to give it a bit of a push forward as well as twisting so the flexible shaft bends to shape. Obviously it doesn't help if the Brass insert spins in the plastic.
It can be done using a flexible drive like above. Make sure you use a magnetic bit. However, even with all the screws out you cannot get the lid out. I removed the lid screws to get access to remove the injectors for cleaning. When I reassembled I just left that one missing and had no problems.
Update Gave up on removing the air box lid front middle screw having tried f-off long screwdriver and also flex shaft driver. Decided to tackle the spinning insert for the airtube with airbox lid in situ. Luckily it was the upper of the three attachments so I drilled a 3mm hole into the body of the airbox and into the spinney insert. T Put a 2.5mm Allen key into it to prevent it spinning and then attacked the remains of the bolt with mole grips. Voila... Done. Next thing is to get the spinney insert out - likely involving a soldering iron to melt it out.
BTW - the air tube bolt is a hex recess, not cross head. I have never removed the air tubes on this bike (have done many times on my other 749, without problem, copaslip on thread and the lightest nip to tighten) - last people to remove these air tubes were a well known Ducati dealer to the west of where I live….
Admittedly @Sev the thread (geddit??) was initially focusing on removing the fwd centre screw of the lid. Reason for that was to enable lid removal to allow better access to attack spinney airtube brass insert removal /repair. Keep up you at the back or you'll need to see me in my study for punishment....
