Since I can now post pics, thought I would have a go at these.

These photos show the result of allowing a mechanic that doesnt know Ducatis, to replace sprockets and chains....while failing to replace the spacer between the rear sprocket and swing-arm.


Should be six drive pins in the photo. Four had been sheered off leaving only two to give drive to the rear wheel. You can see the amount of wear on the wheel hub where it has been rubbing against the swing arm. I had to replace the all six pins, the sprocket carrier and the spacer. Fortunately I discovered that Multistrada parts are fully interchangable and was able to pick them up from a wreckers cheaply. The spacer had to be purchased new.


You can see here how much wear had been caused to the drive flange, almost wearing the circlip recess right out of the sprocket carrier.


You can see from this image the damage caused by the spacer not being included on re-assembly. Drive pin shafts had been wearing steadily at the swing-arm at two points, plus, the drive flange had been rubbing directly onto the point where the axle passes through.

Fortunately I picked up this issue early, having travelled just over 1,000kms. I shudder to think of the circumstances had this failed in the middle of the desert.

I guess we need to check all worked performed by others these days.

Hi, First of all congratulations on completing the "Epic" across the wide brown land.
The pics shown are a clear indicator of poor workmanship and shows how all components are vital.
Sometimes these "workshops" are governed by an overseer that organises a few kids with minimal knowhow to do the
work, it's a scam that could cost someone their life.
When you said that the spacer itself was missing totally ,I did think that it would have been a lot worse on the damage front.
That could have led to a very nasty incident had it not been picked up.I'd buy a lotto ticket if I was you!
You sure were lucky to be able to source the parts,were they off a 900ss as I know rear wheel gear is interchangeable in some instances.
What have you done about the scarring on the swing arm?
With previous post on the possible warped discs ,what else did you find out?
I suppose you are now having a bit of a rest away from the bike and contemplating sorting out the issues that you mentioned,
Best of luck with it all and good to hear you made it safe and sound,
thanks on the updates and I reckon you would have been blessed to have Laddie up there on the assistance front, Cheers ,Marty

I would bring a legal act again the mechanic.
He made a lot of damages on the bike and all the replacements will be expensive.
The rear fork is in very bad shape, I wonder if it is still sure.

Ciao

The swing-arm looks worse than it actually is. The only real damage is the channel cut into the leg in front of the chain adjuster. This will require a simple(?) filling of the channel with some Ali welding....and filing/grinding flush, just a bit of a pain to remove the whole thing from the bike to take it to a machine shop.

My concern at the moment is the starter motor not engaging properly.

Any thoughts people?......there is a lot of grinding and whirring noise coming from the starter area when I press the start button...but does not seem to engage the engine to turn it over. After pushing it a bit, I guess to free up the bottom/top ends, it will eventually catch and turn the bike over. Must have a fist full of throttle though to make sure it fires up straight away.

Anyway, started to pull that side of the engine down today to check out the whole starter mechanism to try and determine the problem.

thanks Francesco.

it really hurts to look at those pictures - ouch.

Jaffa me boy...

well done on your West Coast trip...I need to do similar & give the bike her head at a 140 km cruise...just for kicks...

pity about the damage; looks like the swing arm has been welded before...next to the new groove that has been cut.


the Ducati design isn't great here; the stud clearance to the swing arm is only about 2 - 3mm.
this is a real "nip point"; I have had loose stones get caught there at least twice - causing damage to the top of the arm.
luckily the stone has shattered each time rather than jamming and smashing thru..

you have a fairly big repair job there; you need to check how thick the arm is where the studs have been chewing..my guess it needs welding, then it needs to be radiussed & polished out to prevent cracking.

the cush drive boss also doesn't look like the circlip retaining groove has much meat left.
can you buy the assembly in WA?

Laddie me old bucket.

All is good. The wrecker you put me onto in Sydney supplied me with a Multistrada replacement. Got the pins, 37 tooth sprocket (binned), nuts, and carrier (cush drive boss) for less than it would have cost me just for the four pins from a Ducati stockest. Got the whole lot for $90. The pins alone were going to cost me $50ea from any Ducati dealer in the coathanger town.

I do think I only need to worry about the welding, as mentioned previously, 2-3 ml channel has been cut. Dismantling the swing-arm is a bugger but necessary.

Clearance in this area as you have said is minimal...something we ALL need to be aware of on these machines. Still, will give me a reason to get personal with the girl...get to know her a little better.

Thanks for you help mate.

Had exactly same damage on my Monster, it can be welded f sure.
Did that 6 years & 70 000 km`s ago, still works good.
But you were damn lucky nothing worse happened....

About the starter, sounds like the sprag is worn and the spring on it is too long or broken.

Ouch......that hurts my eyes.

The swingarm can be repaired and I've been casually repairing a 907 swingarm that I bought off of eBay a year ago (it was "dirt cheap"). This is the thread with a bunch of pictures of it before and after being welded...

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2077&start=15

Thanks DD,

this is next on my list of things to do.