1198s Smoke and oil smell

[Sharky]

Hi All,

I know diagnostics over the net are never easy, but so far PSB is 10/10 on my Aprilia Issues, so thought I may as well try my luck on the Ducati.

On Monday I was preparing to head out for a ride on my Duc, let her warm up till the low temp light was off, rode down my steep driveway, then clicked her into 1st gear, went to pull off , got to about 10kph barley moving and the bike stalled and a heap of smoke started coming out of the air intake holes in the front of the fairing. Smelt really really oily as well.

Tried to start it again and it kicked over then did the same thing as before (just like a stall) except i still had the clutch engaged. Decided not to push my luck any further and put it back in the shed.

Today I called up the dealer as it is still under warranty and they said to drop it in for a look over.

Just came back from the garage as I was trying to work out how the heck i'm gonna get a non running bike over to the dealer, decided to check again if still smoky etc - and the thing kicked over first try and set into a nice idle with no smoke or anything....... I know I should and will still be taking it to the dealer, but any ideas on what the issue may be or had a similar experience?

Now, i'm on the hunt for a jap bike as my two Italians are giving me the shits at the moment

[Falcore]

How many ks on it?

The yanks are having issues with self destructing but that's track bikes so kinda moot.

[agrid]

I go through exactly the same start procedure with my Hyper every day, sometimes it starts first crank, other times, like today, it cranks and cranks and cranks and cranks and cranks. It Italian what do you expect. I remember this time in Cyprus when the Italian airline Alitalia lost my luggage. After three days of washing the same shirt an jocks in the basin I was getting a little tense. I went out to the office and complained. The immaculately dressed, coiffured and manicured Italian I spoke to threw his hands up and said, "Hey, it must be somewhere". I then realised that this whole mess was my fault. Clearly its your fault that your bike won't start.

[thro]

Its a ducati

The smoke is the electrical system, and the...

oh shit its moto italiano section...

L twin right?
downhill steep driveway right?


oil from sump flowing seeping into the front cylinder via gravity perhaps? Just a thought...


edit: actually serious with that, the front cylinder in the L motor is very low compared to other bikes, and if your driveway is steep enough, the sump/gearbox may be higher up than the front cylinder for a bit and gravity will do it's thing.... its a design flaw character...

[SVInfinity]

You should have got membership with Ducati assist. When ever I have had a problem I get them to transport it to the dealer and let them sort it out.

My 1198S now has 24,000 kms on it and never had that problem, I have however changed out the battery for a http://www.shoraipower.com.au/ one and the battery starter cables for http://www.motolectric.com/index.html

[Sharky]

How many ks on it?

The yanks are having issues with self destructing but that's track bikes so kinda moot.

15000kms, Just had it's service 500kms ago.

Its a ducati

The smoke is the electrical system, and the...

oh shit its moto italiano section...

L twin right?
downhill steep driveway right?


oil from sump flowing seeping into the front cylinder via gravity perhaps? Just a thought...


edit: actually serious with that, the front cylinder in the L motor is very low compared to other bikes, and if your driveway is steep enough, the sump/gearbox may be higher up than the front cylinder for a bit and gravity will do it's thing.... its a design flaw character...

I am actually thinking this is possible (only because it's Italian ). I usually take it to the bottom of the driveway before starting it to let it warm up. This time I warmed it up and then with it running went down the drive way...... weird. I would laugh my head off if this is the actual problem.

You should have got membership with Ducati assist. When ever I have had a problem I get them to transport it to the dealer and let them sort it out.

My 1198S now has 24,000 kms on it and never had that problem, I have however changed out the battery for a Shorai Power one and the battery starter cables for electrical upgrades for motorcycles

Can I still get one of these memberships? or is it a when brought new thing? I've got it covered under RAC, so might just push it onto the street and call them and say its broken down

[Hudo]

mine was cutting out on warm up, found it to be a dodgy battery.

[thro]

I am actually thinking this is possible (only because it's Italian ). I usually take it to the bottom of the driveway before starting it to let it warm up. This time I warmed it up and then with it running went down the drive way...... weird. I would laugh my head off if this is the actual problem.

Get another duc owner to ride down your drive-way to test?

[Rhino]

Gotta find a duc that will make it up first.

[thro]

Gotta find a duc that will make it up first.

trailer? ducati assist? seems to be preferred mode of transport

[Sharky]

Gotta find a duc that will make it up first.

nice. Perhaps I should just wheelie it up and down the driveway to make sure it doesn't do it again .

After two two trucks turned up today it finally made it back to the dealer so will find out next week. Bloody first tow truck had never tied a motorbike down before so I very politely told him where to go before he put his greazy mits on my pride and joy

[thro]

Keen to hear if the oil seeping thing is possible actually. I just thought of it because i remember reading about old WW2 radial aircraft engines....there was a process to go through before starting.
inherent radial engine problem:

http://www.radialengines.com/shop_ta...QUID_LOCKS.pdf

Now obviously an L twin is not a radial, but the front cylinder is quite low. when pointing down a steep hill.... very low, in relation to the sump.

If so it would not surprise me in the slightest. It would be such a typical "in character" italian thing to fuck up.

Stunning design, top end accessories, high performance, high tech valve system and electronics, etc.... but critical flaw with the engine means that you can't ride down steep hills unless you dry sump it

Much like the rash of Ferrari 458s that were catching fire.... awesome design, execution somewhat flawed occasionally.

[gixxer1000 blandy]

Its a ducati

The smoke is the electrical system, and the...

oh shit its moto italiano section...

L twin right?
downhill steep driveway right?


oil from sump flowing seeping into the front cylinder via gravity perhaps? Just a thought...


edit: actually serious with that, the front cylinder in the L motor is very low compared to other bikes, and if your driveway is steep enough, the sump/gearbox may be higher up than the front cylinder for a bit and gravity will do it's thing.... its a design flaw character...

spot on thro i had a duc and a steep drive way and the same shit used to happen to mine had to go down it backwards

[Sharky]

spot on thro i had a duc and a steep drive way and the same shit used to happen to mine had to go down it backwards

Your fucking kidding me right? I'm gonna be mighty pissed if thats the case. Oh well. Will know next week.

[gixxer1000 blandy]

mine was an older duc but try it go down backwards and see if it still does it time to get a gixxer

[Sharky]

haha. Yeah will see if the mechanic find anything wrong, otherwise might have to.... Actually on the hunt for a jap bike ATM...

[thro]

Well, so long as you accelerate down hill you might be alright?

[agrid]

Ducatis are designed for wheelies, that's why the front cylinder is angled down.

[filbert]

Ducatis are designed for wheelies, that's why the front cylinder is angled down.

When ridden correctly does it become a regular v-twin instead of an L-twin?

[agrid]

Observe....