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Does anybody know if the desmo and springer head castings are the same. What I'd really like to know is if I can build a desmo head from a springer casting (my 450 Desmo, although an original, is running a springer head at the moment) or, if I'm a slave to originality, do I have to source a complete desmo head?

Ian

Ian,

I believe that the Desmo has more material around the closing rocker spindle areas, but Nigel or Eldert will really know the differences and if you can convert a Springer to Desmo.


Colin

the camshaft tunnel is deeper on a desmo . the closing rockerarms are under the camshaft .

Eldert

Not the same casting, camshaft tunnel is a different shape to accommodate the closing rocker gear and the cam support bearing housing end of the head is different. I have been down the road of building a desmo head for my 350 mk3 from parts and frankly it would be considerably cheaper just to buy a complete head...... get a second hand RT head pref. from USA.
Cheers,
George

Seems I have to go on the lookout for a Desmo head then. I'm in no hurry with a working springer head so I will see what turns up.

Thanks all

Aye Ian,

If you are going to race the engine it might be worth the hassle, but in my opinion the max revs attainable by a road going 450 MKIII/Desmo don't warrant the grief of setting up and maintaining a desmo head for use on the road. Keep wearing the wee beastie out, the valve springs will be fine and cheaper to replace.

If you were running a race 350 or a road/race 250 then it might be worth the hassle.

Good health, "Curmudgeon"

Me thinks you are absolutely correct however I would like to get a Desmo head at some point, even if I just keep it on the shelf. If and when I do eventually sell it, I can’t help thinking that a Desmo without a Desmo head makes it a much less attractive proposition to potential buyers. Doesn’t really bother me as my days of max revs are long gone…

Ian