Yup, I'm done, the final straw was failure to start twice over the past couple of days. The bike is fouling the plugs with fuel pretty much constantly regardless of carb set-up, thought I had this cracked but it would appear not to be the case. This on top of what has been a roller-coaster year of ownership has made me decide enough is enough. When the bike has worked I've loved riding it, the noise and the handling are fantastic. It looks great and it's my first Ducati, I'd lusted after one for years and seeing it in my garage doesn't get old but I need a bike that I can just jump on and go and this has never been that bike. I don't mind servicing and maintenance but it feels like it's been constant repairs and it's starting to bug my happiness. I intend to clean the carbs out (again!) and try to get her running better before selling but if this fails I'll probably break for spares. She's cost me over £2k in the last year (purchase and maintenance) and I'd like to see at least £1k back. Do to finances I won't be replacing it with another Duc at the moment but I've found a pretty clean 04 GSX-R 600 locally for a good price which should hopefully be dependable but still fun to ride. I have no doubt that I'll return to Ducati in the future. Thanks for all the assistance and guidance that I've received during my short time on here, this has to be one of the friendliest forums that I've ever been part of! Proper for sale post will follow once I've decided exactly what I'm doing but if you want more information, pics or have a burning desire to take it off my hands give me a shout!
Are the float bowl overflow tubes dry?.........I'm wondering if the float assemblies are worn or incorrectly set; so the engine is flooding. Also, if the air filter needs changing, it could be making the engine run rich. Plus which spark plugs? I would use NGK and not Champion. Check the choke operation as well..........from the left side of the bike, look at the back of the carbs where they fit the rubber manifold connector for the vert cylinder.........Operate the choke lever and see if you can spot what is the end of the choke slider 'bar'.........you should be able to see it move toward you when you close the choke........grab a small pair of pliers and pull it towards you....does it move any more towards you?.......If so, something is causing the choke mechanism to stick (usually crap). If you are having the carbs off again, I assume you have checked the choke needle valve thingys.......they can wear. Plus check the air cut-off diaphragms for splits or degrading.
Overflows are dry and I don't think they're blocked as I've used them before to drain the bowls. Air filter is new, as are the plugs, they are the recommended NGK ones. Choke visually checked but not tried the trick with the pliers, will look into that. Last time I had them off everything looked pretty good I but I could have missed something. Thanks again for the help, will be taking the bike home from work later in the week and will get cracking.
If all the other parts are OK; jets the right size (you could try putting the smaller main jets in.....I don't know if I have the right ones you would need)......then measure the float heights.
Before giving up on Ducati totally try a 900 or 1000ss ie - the injection bikes are generally very robust.
He doesn't need to do anything other that to get the 600 running properly..............it's all down to what he is working with and us guessing as to what he has got on his hands....
This is a good suggestion. Maybe its cause you live in freezing Aberdeen, Italians arent so keen on the cold.
My view for what it's worth: You are either a mechanical genius and know you can fix your Duke. Or, you suspect you aren't a mechanical genius, or at least not a Ducati genius. You take it to someone who is, and they get it to work as it should. They do this because they have spent years full-time making Ducatis work. You pay the bill and enjoy your fully working and reliable Ducati.
Haha, the cold could be an issue! Thanks for all the assistance guys, I hear all the points made but my decision has been a while coming. I'm really not a fan of the injection models, purely on looks (shallow I know) and other Duc's that I do have a desire to own are a chunk more expensive. I've already been down the specialist route with this one and I was left with a hefty bill and a bike that still didn't work, as much as I love the bike I'm just not sure I can stomach another bill like that. I'm fairly confident in my abilities mechanically but it's a time issue, I work long hours and have football 3 times a week, add the Mrs into that and it doesn't leave much time for fettling. I've barely ridden in the past year and it's getting me down, whenever I fix one thing another seems to crop up. I enjoy working on my bike and cars but it gets tiring when it's as constant as it is. Will keep you all posted with progress
Remind me.........Did you ever check your exhaust to see if it is straight through? If it is stock, it might be enough to restrict the exhaust gases which would cause fouling. I think you said your airbox top had been cut away.........is that right? And what were the main jet sizes?
Stock exhaust, stock airbox and no idea on the jets (didn't pay enough attention last time I was in them). Will keep you posted
IIRC you have a Dynojet kit fitted with quite large main jet sizes...........and there's your problem I reckon. Assuming I'm not thinking of someone else.......
I think you may be, don't recall posting the carb settings up. I'll pull them apart after the weekend and see where I get to
When you get to the main jets, have a look at them and obviously quote the size and also see if there is a little square logo on them.........If it exists they are Mikuni jets. The main needle if OEM will be thick like a nail.......the DJ one is more tapered to a fine point. Once we know what you have in there we may be able to sort it. Have a look at this thread....http://ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/carb-id-600-ss.40384/#post-715851
Of course it might not be a mismatched Dynojet kit, but you need to check anyway........however another likely source of plug fouling is worn emulsion tubes........so while you have the carbs apart, check them..........the top of the hole will appear to be oval if they are worn.
Don't give up mate... The guys on here will help, combine that with plenty of research/testing and maybe one last visit to somewhere like Cornerspeed or Luigi Moto and you'll have her running a sweet as nut. Will you honestly get excited about opening the garage to find a jap 4 potter?? lol
