Couple of weeks ago I had a problem with the tickover on the D16. I put this down to a dodgy batch of fuel, but now owe mr Texaco an apology 'cos it did it again today. I went for a 200 mile blat and for the first half all was okay, i parked up for an hour then headed home and it started playing up. Don't think it's anything too serious but here's what happens. After a sustained (25-30 miles) of "making good progress" (just in case plod reads this) i came to a roundabout, down through the gears, with the bike popping and banging on the overrun (as usual) as I get to roundabout I had to stop, pull in clutch, revs drop to tickover, bike stalls. Starts no problem, but then on whenever I close the throttle at lowish revs and then get back on the power, there's a slight hesitation and then we're off like a rocket, pulling cleanly and strongly in every gear, but every time I get to a roundabout or junction and go from closed throttle to open, it's fluffy and if I have to stop at say lights, the tickover is lumpy, give it a couple of hundred revs and all is ok. Probably my imagination, but on the overrun whilst going down gears it sometimes sounds almost like it drops to 3 cylinders (sure it doesnt, but that's how it feels). It's due a service so hopefully get to the bottom of it then.
Gunk in the filter possibly? Is it worth running some injector cleaner through with a full tank of fuel?
I am tempted to put some cleaner through it, have only ever done it with cars, assume its ok to do with bikes.
Could be water in the fuel tank, introduced by an earlier poor quality fill and lingering on. I had a similar problem with my SPS a few years ago. I'd suggest completely draining the tank and checking the fuel system.
And it also sounds like early 749/999s models where timing was not perfect so all was good when moving but did exactly what you described when stooping/pulling away.
I'll try the fuel avenue first, as it did clear last time, and I was convinced it was dodgy fuel. Failing that I'll check the plugs/caps. To my mind timing isn't on the table 'cos it didn't do it before, stopped doing it for a couple of weeks and is now doing it again, but not as bad ( if that makes any sense at all).
Well the rough running has got worse, took the fairings off to have a look at plugs etc, but to be honest its all pretty un accessible, to get to front plugs the radiator has to come off by the look of it. Pretty sure from what it's doing its either a plug or coil not happy, although since once above 40ish it all clears and goes like a bat out of hell is a bit confusing. Will have to get her to either Ducati Lincoln or Coventry for them to take a look, bye, bye summer !!
