450 RT re-build

[Ventodue]

Nice topic, with photos, of a guy re-building his 450 RT flat tracker over on Ducati.ms.

In action ..



Reason for the re-build ..



Go:
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/14-vintage/ ... oject.html

[LaceyDucati]

That's a pattern rod, saving a few hundred £/$ especially in a completion engine is a false economy. That goes for pistons too! The limitation of some of these products has been known since the 60's/70's. This picture is probably a good (if not painful) stark reminder for new owners to Ducati singles and a reminder to all. It's even more important these days as the supply of cases etc grows thinner.

Nigel

[joe46ho]

Is that a mazzucelli rod ? Or do you know ?

Joe

[Ventodue]

That's a pattern rod, saving a few hundred £/$ especially in a completion engine is a false economy.

Yeh, but to be fair, he does 'fess up to that ...

(Good piccie, tho', eh Nigel ? )

[LaceyDucati]

Joe
I'm not sure, looks similar but looking at the broken bits it may have had more than one oil hole in the small end. The mazzucelli rods I have seen have one hole in the top. When you look at these kits there isn’t much material around the small end.

Yes it is a great pic
Nigel

[joe46ho]

The Mazzucelli Rod I have here has 3 oil holes in it, but in the WORST possible location, this is a 250/350 rod though, not a 450 w/c rod like Craig has here. I think the biggest problem with these rods is the design of the small end, and the oil hole location... this has been discussed a while back in another thread, i had posted a picture of the rod i have in that thread. I got this one for free with some other parts, and i dont intend to use it. I am not an engineer but if you look at the oil hole location, and the thin profile on the small end bore, it is no wonder they break, and if you look at
Craig's pic here you can see they break right at the centerline of the poorly positioned oiling holes. Eldert had mentioned this also, as being the weakest point of these rods, when i asked if anyone had any info on the one i got in a parts lot-buy. Probably a good idea to stay away from these...

Joe

[graeme]

I recently fitted this rod kit to an RT.
Now I'm not sure if this is the same rod as the pictured broken one, but the holes seem to be the same,,,,,,
I looked on the web for MEC EUR and found it was made by a company that makes Vespa parts.
Is this the rod in question?



graeme

[joe46ho]

Yes, That is the very same rod, I will include a picture of the one i have... As you can see it has the same logo, I am not sure if these are Mazzucelli, or MEC EUR, but I think that is one in the same. Here is a link to a "scooter" shop that sells these rods.
http://www.sip-scootershop.com/Products ... tails.aspx
One thing i will say though is i have been told by a few sources that these would be ok for a restoration that is ridden around town and not "beat" or raced. For what its worth...
Eldert would know more specific info on these.

Here is a pic of the one i have.

[Sam]

I picked up a nice rod kit from a man in Italy looks the same profile as Carrillo. I thought the std Ducati rod looked weak compared to this one.

[graeme]

Hi Sam, yes I know,,,,,,,,,,,,

It won't stay in the RT long and I'll think before having too much fun until then.

Graeme