Project Vento has begun: help wanted.

[cooperplace]

Well, I'm about to start it for the first time in my ownership. Some questions:

1. Oil: several people on the web suggest SAE40 or 50. Ducati recommend these for their 350. But Mototrans in the manual say 20w-50. IS there a consensus or advice from people here?

2. Oil level: should the dipstick be read after sitting it on top of the threads? Or screwed in?

3. There's no tickler, but the carb has a choke (or an enricher, you know what I mean) and a pump. On my 900 I flood them with the tickler, give it 3 big pumps, and hit the start button with zero throttle, and crack it open a tad as it fires. On the 350 I plan to get it to TDC, apply choke, turn on ignition, and kick it through. If anyone knows of a better plan, please let me know. My 250 kicked back a few years ago and my foot hurt, literally, for 2 years.

Thanks!

[ranton_rambler]

I use Silkolene Comp 4 20W-50, as recommended by Nigel Lacey.
Suggest filling with correct volume according to to your manual and seeing where it comes on the stick. N/C motors don’t have a stick as standard so filling by volume is the only choice!
My starting method is to put the cold start device on, then ease it just past TDC before kicking it over. You’ll need to learn what your motor prefers. I normally crack the throttle a little, which is contrary to the advice for PHBL carbs.
Ian

[Ventodue]

<snip> On the 350 I plan to get it to TDC, apply choke, turn on ignition, and kick it through. If anyone knows of a better plan, please let me know.

Best to ease it OVER TDC before kicking, Peter.

FWIW, I've just fitted mine with a decompressor to make this easier. Jon supplied me with the main bit, just had to source a decent handlebar lever to get the leverage needed.

Otherwise:
Dipstick sitting on threads.
A quality 20-50 is fine, as is straight 40 - just makes cold starts more difficult. Mineral or synthetic as you wish, but remember to change it frequently.

Have fun!

Craig

[Duccout]

Oh, no! Someone mentioned oil, don the tin hats! It is a rather controversial subject. Here in the UK for for 40 years, I kept the oil companies in business by running SAE 50 in my bevel vee twins in the Summer, and changing it for 20/50 in the Winter, but I finally got tired of it and took Nigel and Silkolene's advice and filled up with Comp 4 20/50 and have used it ever since.

There is even controversy about detergent levels to use in old Ducatis, some say low, some medium, but I was advised by Silkolene's chief tech , Ron Shead, years ago to use medium detergent and change the oil at 1000 miles.

There is no reason not to use a monograde in a hot country like Australia, maybe an SAE 50, and Penrite do a great range of oils to cover every application. You could ask them what they say ( I bet it would be SAE 50). Right, back in the bunker!

[cooperplace]

<snip> On the 350 I plan to get it to TDC, apply choke, turn on ignition, and kick it through. If anyone knows of a better plan, please let me know.

Best to ease it OVER TDC before kicking, Peter.

FWIW, I've just fitted mine with a decompressor to make this easier. Jon supplied me with the main bit, just had to source a decent handlebar lever to get the leverage needed.

Otherwise:
Dipstick sitting on threads.
A quality 20-50 is fine, as is straight 40 - just makes cold starts more difficult. Mineral or synthetic as you wish, but remember to change it frequently.

Have fun!

Craig

Hi Craig,

Thank you, much appreciated.

[cooperplace]

On my spark plug tester the spark jumps about 15mm, so I think it's about 15,000V. Hopefully enough. Haven't started it yet.

[cooperplace]

How do people feel about a Vento in 750 Sport yellow?

[Duccout]

I feel very good! It is my favourite colour, especially with the black stripes. Go for it!

[themoudie]

G'day cooperplace,

Your bike, your paint mate! Sky blue pink with yellow polka dots and flying elephants, with palm trees. I'm sure it'll be a ripper. Just make sure you ride it and wear it out. Nothing worse than an ornamental motorcycle that you disconnect the speedo and wrap the tyres in cling film when wheeling it about.

Good health, Bill

[Jordan]

On my spark plug tester the spark jumps about 15mm, so I think it's about 15,000V. Hopefully enough. Haven't started it yet.

Caution: 8mm is usually recommended for testing motorcycle spark gaps on the bench.
There is a risk of damaging HT coils by internal shorting if the path of least resistance is in there.