1995 916

Yep, filter elements were toast. Will discuss further when I put bike back together.

Tyres are from 2004 and are hard as rock. Sticky Pirellis going on next week...

 

Hey old rider, the bike's not running as yet, unfortunately.
Would indeed normally get up to operating temp before doing an oil change.

 

Was 30°C here yesterday, ambient temp is warm enough!
But yep, will see if we can get it started and will check condition of new oil. Old stuff was clean, all things considered. Had only done 500 miles since last change in 2005

 

Time to get fuel lines sussed.
When I took the tank off, like many of you out there I cursed the plastic quick-disconnects. When trying to take the black QD from the fuel plate, it broke off. 20+ years of heat and age is not the best for plastic.
Tried a range of options to get the remainder out: 1) Screw extractor, 2) Pick, 3) two small screwdrivers banged I'm 180° from each other with a third one torquing horizontally. 4) Take it to the local garage to see if buddy can help.
Nothing was working.



Contemplated burning it out but came to the conclusion fire + fuel filter assembly = creating bigger problems.
The answer lay in a sharp 6mm chisel. Carved in, but tried not to damage the soft aluminium threads. Success.
Pulled out my shiny new metal QDs (w/ viton o-rings) from CPC. Here they are compared with the old ones...



Only replacing lines in the tank, so slotted male ends into existing external lines, which were in good condition. No oetiker clamps available, so went with the basic options that came in the filter box. Fingers crossed they hold the 100 psi pressure!





Moved straight on to the tank fittings. Wrapped some plumber's tape on the threads and then got the female QDs in a well.



Kept going and fitted new lines onto the actual fuel pump. I had tested the pump by hooking my car battery up to it for a few seconds. It worked, so no need to replace as yet. Feeling good and on a roll, I gave the tricky task of re-installing the fuel pump assembly a go. Put a layer of synthetic grease on both the plate and new o-ring. Had bought M6 x 16 bolts to evenly push in the o-ring without damage....but should have gone with M6 x 20 as I couldn't quite get all three bolts biting.

Back to Home Depot and we'll be good... Have a new battery charging up right now, so will be in line to try and start the bike for the first time tomorrow...

 

One day in June, 1995, someone named Sav walked into work and painted my 916 fuel tank. I know this because after he or she was done, they engraved their name and the date on the bottom of the tank.



It's these small, personal touches that I'm finding really cool with this machine.

Anyway, back into it this morning. Got the correct size bolts for the fuel plate (M6 x 20), and slowly tightened each bolt sequentially. Glad I bought the grease. Definitely helped the all important O-ring to seal properly.



Cleaned and locktighted the drain bolt while I was there.
Pulled the bike out of the shed and took this shot as it hopefully won't be this stripped down again until winter.



Installed the airbox and then the intake runners. They're the earliest produced items I've found on the bike so far- March of '94.



Went with the Pipercross MPX038 for the new filters. Cleaned and re-used the original frames.



Well-nuts then chose an inopportune moment to wear out. Will get replacements (any good suppliers?), but the runners were pretty much open in the meantime.



Tank on next. QD's clicked in, vent tubes pushed on, fuel level sensor plugged in, tank bolt secured.
5 litres of premium went in after stopping at the local servo. $1.45 for ultra 94 (or in UK RON, 99 octane).



Newly charged battery installed. Electrics good to go....
Then ignition on, fuel pump primed (no leaks)... time to start 'er up for the first time in a long time. Third time lucky and it leapt into life and idled like a champ. After 2 minutes, opened the throttle up. Can confirm termis are still operational

 

Wellington via Taranaki

 

Bloody oath! Couldn't quite catch it the first couple of times, then realised pushing the fast idle button at the base of the throttle might help. Started instantly next attempt.

Great feeling.

 

Good old GM, fantastic guy

 

Having put 500 miles on the bike since getting it running, thought I'd post an update. Bear in mind I'd never ridden a ducati, let alone a 916 before this purchase.

First impression riding? Surprisingly comfortable! It has 1 inch bar risers, but after a 2 hour Kawartha Highlands tour I was feeling great. I'm 6 foot, so appreciate the high seat height.

The stability the 916 provides in any bend at any speed is new to me- my last bike, an SV650S, had a front end that pogo-ed it's way thru corners.
The motor isn't perhaps quite the fire-breathing monster I thought it would be, although that could mainly be due to not spending enough time in the 7K+ rpm zone...
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After the initial start-up, the bike still needed a few things to pass the Ontario version of an MOT: a Safety Standards Certificate (known as a 'safety').
As far as tires, I ended up going with Pirelli's DR Corsa II. No complaints so far.
The rear end looked superb with the wheel off... that pipework!



One other issue popped up - brake lights too dull. The bike had integrated lights from evoluzione installed in 2002, but 16 years on, an LED upgrade was necessary. Went with motodynamic's clear unit that included sequential signals and a 3 flash brake light to keep those cagers on their toes...




Getting chilly here in the north, but with Thanksgiving on Monday, still riding every chance I get. Here she is at Petroglyphs Provincial Park today: