Help Please

[Duccout]

Anybody know what this is? Looks like a bearing cage to me, which came out when I drained my Strada's oil. Any other suggestions will be welcomed. Either way, that is the end of the Strada for a while!

Thanks,

Colin

[Duccout]

I think I've got it - it looks like the cage from the self-aligning bearing, but it can't be, because I replaced that 500 miles ago, and the bits of cage are obviously old and rusty..... Could they have been from a previous failure and been caught up in the engine somewhere? And if so, where are the balls? I will check the top bearing, but I doubt that it will be that.

[George]

Sorry to hear of your new problem Colin. Certainly looks like bearing cage parts. Hard to imagine working their way down bevel shaft and past bottom bearings. If you did not split crankcases best guess is they have been in sump all the time. Could be a strip down before you stop worrying if any more bits floating about. Are classic bike owners all masochists?

[Duccout]

Hi George,

How is the 350 coming along?

Searching around inside the sump from the drain hole I found half a bevel shim too. I have looked at the top self-aligning bearing and it all looks good, so the answer at the moment is that these bits have been in the sump all along, but could they find their way down the bevel tunnel and into the sump? I'm guessing that the balls came out during a previous oil change before I owned the bike, as they were more mobile. If only this bike could talk.


Colin

[blethermaskite]

Is it making any new or strange noises? has any new or odd or excessive vibrations set in, is the clutch and gearbox working properly, if its no to all then this its almost certainly historic shrapnel. So get a modern super strong magnet fixed to a flexible plastic rod an go fishing in the sump. If you don't have a removable magnet fixed somewhere in the sump or on the dip stick then fit one which should over a bit of time catch any more bits well thats what I would do. I think the passage of time has taught me to stop taking everything apart until it really is broken
Cheers,
George

[Duccout]

Thanks George,

I have fished around with my magnet wand and found no more debris, and as the bike is running well am inclined to take your advice!

Cheers,

Colin

[George]

Hi George,

How is the 350 coming along?

Searching around inside the sump from the drain hole I found half a bevel shim too. I have looked at the top self-aligning bearing and it all looks good, so the answer at the moment is that these bits have been in the sump all along, but could they find their way down the bevel tunnel and into the sump? I'm guessing that the balls came out during a previous oil change before I owned the bike, as they were more mobile. If only this bike could talk.


Colin

Hi Colin, I seem to recollect that my first Mototrans 175TS had bits of bearing cage in the sump when stripped down, with no broken bearings. Perhaps it's a Spanish thing!
Not done anything with 350 apart from applying for V5 registration. Problems with covid for a while. healthy now.
I have been fine tuning / riding / enjoying my Elite, after all it has been two years since we both bought a bevel single. Got to use it this summer plenty of time for 350 project in the winter.
A friend has bought a 200SS and another friend has just bought a 24 Horas. Ducati addiction.

[Eldert]

Hi Colin

looks like a bearing cage from the 1202 top bevelshaft bearing .

the remains can work themselves down to to bottom . there are 2 slots behind the lower bevel
bearing housing .

Eldert

[ducwiz]

I took the liberty to improve the photo, which was unfortunatly too dark, and with very low resolution. What is the size of the bits?
After all, I'm not shure where these shrapnels come from. I rather disbelieve that they could manage a passage through the bevel shaft shroud along the upper shaft, then crossing the pair of angular ball bearings on the lowel shaft, an finally overcome the rest of obstacles - the narrow gap between lower bevel gear and the case etc., down in to the sump. I don't see a differnt way for them.
Maybe they are a legacy of a previous owner ...

shrapnel.jpg

Hans

[themoudie]

Good morning Colin,

George's (blethermaskite) reply would be my option! I go "fishing" in my sump at every oil change, with similar equipment and all the bikes, not just the Ducati. Get some more miles under the wheels.

Good health, Bill