Ducati 600ss FAQ - Power Loss Problem
I bought myself a Ducati 600ss this year so thought I'd gather some Usenet threads together here that cover questions and answers related to the bike.
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From: Airtech f9 (markj@airtechlondon.f9.co.uk) Subject: Ducati 600SS Power Loss Problem Newsgroups: alt.motorcycles.ducati Date: 2002-04-22 02:25:50 PST I am the proud owner of a Ducati 600 Supersport. Recently I had to put the bike into storage and since returning it to the road, I am experiencing power loss problems. I allow the bike to warm up as normal. After 10 minutes, I begin to ride the vehicle and over the first 8-10 miles the bike has severe power loss and will only reach 50mph. After 8-10 miles of travel, the bike will just burst into life and be fully operational. I remember that the bike did not have this problem when I purchased it. If I then leave the bike to sit for about 1 hour (i.e. cool down), the problem will occur again. I have used petrol treatments, cleaned the carbs, replaced the airfilter and sparkplugs, but it has made no difference. Can anyone advise of any checks that it can perform to rectify this problem.
Reply From: Rob (gloaming_agnet@hotmail.com) Date: 2002-04-22 16:12:33 PST It is possible that you may have some crap in the petrol tank that is settled to the bottom and is causing fuel starvation by blocking the filter/strainer in the tank. After riding for a few miles it may mix in with the fuel and let more through. Symptom: If the bike is running lean (starving) if may backfire when decelerating from top speed. Try disconnecting the fuel hose from the carb and seeing how the petrol flow looks. Also drain the tank and see what comes out (best to take it off, shake around the fuel and empty out through the filler into a bucket for inspection. Could be water from condensation seeing as it has stood for a while. Always store bikes with the petrol tank full to prevent condensation and stop rust forming. Also have you checked the filter at the back of the carby banjo connection where the fuel line connects? Sounds like fuel to me. If it was electrical there would generally be a noticeable misfire at top speed. Good luck. Tell us how you get on. Rob. 75 860GT 85 750F1 Not necessarily the fastest any more, but certainly nice to ride.
Reply From: Airtech f9 (markj@airtechlondon.f9.co.uk) Date: 2002-04-23 04:28:43 PST Thanks for the reply, I have checked and the tank is as clean as it can be. The Bike does not back fire at all. The petrol is flowing well, right the way through to the float chambers. I cannot find any other filters that I haven't allready checked (carby banjo??) HELP............. (it seems that the bike fails only when it is put under load)
Reply From: Rob (gloaming_agnet@hotmail.com) Date: 2002-04-25 16:08:03 PST Hi again, Hmmm........strange problem. The banjo filters (if fitted) are located at the back of the detachable connector where the fuel hose goes onto the carby......thats on Dellorto'e however I'm not sure if Mikuni's have them. Does the bike need much choke to start, and does it idle normally after comming off the choke - ie. the chokes are shutting off completely? The fact that it's (i believe) running evenly on both cyclinders tends to rule out the coils (2) as faulty, and the only other thing I can think of is that there may be some corrosion/loose wire problem restricting power to the coils, or the battery is lousy (ie. loose plates). Try running it with the headlight off to see if it makes any difference. I suppose you've checked the fuses and battery connectors are not corroded or loose? Best I can advise. (I'm beginning to think the battery may be suspect). Cheers Rob
Reply From: Airtech f9 (markj@airtechlondon.f9.co.uk) Subject: Re: Ducati 600SS Power Loss Problem (SOLVED IT!!!!) Date: 2002-04-23 06:41:32 PST Solved the problem - One of the ignition coils had gone (after all that messing around - it was something simple!) Thanks for your help.