I have to remove the rear sprocket on the '96 748 to replace the damper bushes (the rubber/steel thingies). The workshop manual is pretty straightforward on the procedure as such but mentions removal of the rear wheel as a pre-condition. Is this an absolutely necessary step given that lot's of bad things will happen if I leave it in place and support the bike on it, or not? If this rear wheel removal is non-optional, how to best suspend/support the bike whilst carrying out the work? It's not that I lack imagination but a well tested method could perhaps save a lot of grief and frustration. And besides the non-searchable workshop manual I've got, sort of seem to take for granted that you already know how. Any tips and or pointers in useful directions will be greatly appreciated.
The rear wheel definitely doesn't need to be removed, just loosen up the eccentric & rotate it to loosen the chain and the whole sprocket assembly will slide off.
Unless you hold the bike under the footrests with axle stands (or other means) then you need to leave the wheel on as the single-sided paddock stand you need to remove the wheel is in the way of the sprocket and the opposite side means you can't remove the wheel anyway. But it will be fine with the wheel in place, the sprocket design allows for a quick change, even more so if you get a quick-change carrier. There's a useful 'how-to' here; R&R Chain/Sprocket on 748 - 998 - Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum On the other hand if you can remove the wheel then you can remove the entire axle if you want to check/grease the bearings, I use axle stands under the footrests;
That's a very interesting thingy/stand you've got there. Custom made? Oh and only usable with fixed pegs I noticed. And thanks a lot for the information.
Thanks, you've contributed to making my next session with the bike, well, I hope at least somewhat easier.
Well spotted Nelson - SweDuc if your hub looks like that get back on here mate you're gonna need a bit more advice
Yes, unfortunately a cush drive popped out the back and 'milled' the eccentric which is why I dismantled everything to get the aluminium shavings out. I've fitted a Renthal carrier now with the 'stops' in it to prevent it happening again but there is still enough meat to get the adjusting spanner onto the eccentric and although I've now got a spare, I've not got round to fitting it yet, so running a 'lightweight' hub...
