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Title: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Travman on October 08, 2009, 03:46:41 PM "Ducati is all set to move from its traditional home in Bologna at Borgo Panigale for a brand new 165,000 square-meter new factory just a kilometer away, close to the Autostrada. The old factory has been home to the brand since 1926, but the outdated building that survived the Second World War will make way for a purpose-built estate to be built over the next three years, under a recent deal signed with regional authorities in Bologna.
This will house state-of-the-art production lines that are environmentally friendly as well as the race shop and R&D departments. There will also be a ‘Centre of Technical’ research, as well as a new home for the museum that houses their superb collection of race and technically interesting machines. A small test track will also allow customers to try out new models as well as a shop to purchase clothing and memorabilia." http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/285/4792/Motorcycle-Article/Euro-Gossip-October-2009.aspx (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/285/4792/Motorcycle-Article/Euro-Gossip-October-2009.aspx) Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: DoubleEagle on October 08, 2009, 05:22:23 PM Sounds like a positive move for the future of Ducati and future Ducatisti
Dolph :) Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: pennyrobber on October 08, 2009, 06:51:49 PM The current factory is a gem. It has a history and charm that cannot be replaced. That said, there is no reason that a new factory will change that. I am sure the old factory will still be utilized and still have just as much meaning.
Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: IdZer0 on October 08, 2009, 10:33:48 PM A small test track will also allow customers to try out new models This is going to be fun Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: spolic on October 09, 2009, 01:44:19 PM Sounds like a positive move for the future of Ducati and future Ducatisti Dolph :) Just like the 696 :-\ baa, I like old buildings, but I don't think that it will JUST be a change of location. It's not like they are moving to China. yet Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: woodyracing on October 09, 2009, 03:22:03 PM yeah they talked about that at the factory update school in March or April
Nobody's gonna like this but the other tidbit of information that was mentioned was that Ducati will be using chain driven cams and possibly spring valves (non desmo) on the "little monsters" before long to bring the prices down. Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Duki09 on October 09, 2009, 05:02:06 PM This is good news for Ducati if they are in a position that they can move in a newer building with more advanced departments, a museum and a test track.
How would this be worse compared to staying in a old building with aging equipment from 1926? It shouldn't change the fact that they are still making the Italian made Ducati with the desmodromic engine we are fond of. In today's poor economy and the heavy competition with less expensive and lower maintenence Japanese motorcycles, that is an accomplishment. If Ducati totally changed their process and turned into making cruisers and inline 4 engines, then that is when you can say Ducati has fallen. Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Popeye the Sailor on October 09, 2009, 05:39:38 PM It shouldn't change the fact that they are still making the Italian made Ducati with the desmodromic engine we are fond of. In today's poor economy and the heavy competition with less expensive and lower maintenence Japanese motorcycles, that is an accomplishment. So....making something more expensive with more maintenance is good....because we've always done it that way? Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: woodyracing on October 09, 2009, 05:42:54 PM yes because more reliable means chain driven cams and spring valves and the Ducatistis would not tolerate that (I intend on being the first to protest the factory if they go that route with the little monsters)
Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: ducpainter on October 09, 2009, 05:50:52 PM So....making something more expensive with more maintenance is good....because we've always done it that way? But...they haven't always done it that way. The desmo only is relatively recent. Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Popeye the Sailor on October 09, 2009, 05:59:08 PM But... they haven't always done it that way. The desmo only is relatively recent. http://www.ducati.com/heritage/anni50/125triple/125triple.jhtml%3Bjsessionid=1EY0UFAGDD3TWCRNCB3CFFIKFUIHSIV1 (http://www.ducati.com/heritage/anni50/125triple/125triple.jhtml%3Bjsessionid=1EY0UFAGDD3TWCRNCB3CFFIKFUIHSIV1) "With the desmodromic valve system in 1957, Ducati single cyclinders reached the height of their development." I suppose 1957 is recent.... depending on your perspective ;) Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: ducpainter on October 09, 2009, 06:32:23 PM http://www.ducati.com/heritage/anni50/125triple/125triple.jhtml%3Bjsessionid=1EY0UFAGDD3TWCRNCB3CFFIKFUIHSIV1 (http://www.ducati.com/heritage/anni50/125triple/125triple.jhtml%3Bjsessionid=1EY0UFAGDD3TWCRNCB3CFFIKFUIHSIV1) true..."With the desmodromic valve system in 1957, Ducati single cyclinders reached the height of their development." I suppose 1957 is recent.... depending on your perspective ;) they had desmo models back then, but they also had valve spring models. The lack of valve springs in any model is relatively recent... from my perspective. ;) Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Duki09 on October 10, 2009, 12:30:07 PM So....making something more expensive with more maintenance is good....because we've always done it that way? Is that what you understood from my post???? I'm not going to even bother trying to explain it to you. [roll] Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Travman on October 10, 2009, 02:53:42 PM yes because more reliable means chain driven cams and spring valves and the Ducatistis would not tolerate that (I intend on being the first to protest the factory if they go that route with the little monsters) What are the drawbacks & advantages of chain driven cams compared to belt-driven cams? BTW, I found out recently that some people make fun of our belt drives by referring to them as "Hoover" drives (as in similar to a vacuum cleaner). Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Triple J on October 10, 2009, 03:09:38 PM I'd rather see gear driven cams...just cause they would sound cool. [cheeky] I have no idea how that would affect maintenance or cost. :P
Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: ducpainter on October 10, 2009, 03:16:41 PM What are the drawbacks & advantages of chain driven cams compared to belt-driven cams? Advantage....Chains in an oil bath last forever...BTW, I found out recently that some people make fun of our belt drives by referring to them as "Hoover" drives (as in similar to a vacuum cleaner). Drawback...Everyone does it that way. Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: jmoth79 on October 10, 2009, 03:19:22 PM What are the drawbacks & advantages of chain driven cams compared to belt-driven cams? Only advantages. Strength/durability, less likely to slip, resistance to wear, longer lasting, more robust, ....noisier [evil] Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Howie on October 10, 2009, 04:54:10 PM Some disadvantages of chains:
More rotating mass. Require oil. Require more space required. This also means more weight. Though they are maintenance free they do, at some point, break. Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: derby on October 10, 2009, 05:09:27 PM Some disadvantages of chains: More rotating mass. one would think two thin gears and a chain would be less mass than two inch-thick pulleys and a hefty, reinforced belt. Require oil. plenty of that already floatin' around the motor (hopefully). Require more space required. This also means more weight. again, gear/chain vs belt/pulley... Though they are maintenance free they do, at some point, break. everything breaks... eventually. ;D Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Spidey on October 10, 2009, 05:14:44 PM one would think two thin gears and a chain would be less mass than two inch-thick pulleys and a hefty, reinforced belt. Just the cam chain on a Ninja 250 weighs a ton more than our Duc belts. Also, if you have cam chains, you can't take off the covers and watch 'em spin (yes, I'm a guy that is easily distracted by shiny things too). Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Howie on October 10, 2009, 05:34:49 PM one would think two thin gears and a chain would be less mass than two inch-thick pulleys and a hefty, reinforced belt. As Spidey said and my 40+ years of engine reair experience says, lighter plenty of that already floatin' around the motor (hopefully). But you need to deliver it to the chain again, gear/chain vs belt/pulley... Chain requires an enclosed, sealed case more than likely needing chain guides and a chain tensioning device plus provisions for delivering and returning oil. everything breaks... eventually. ;D Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: caperix on October 10, 2009, 05:53:05 PM I have heard that a belt requires less horsepower to drive than a chain, I'm sure the differance is very minimal though. The current engine has been around in some form for a long time, theres only so much more reengineering they can do to it. I would not be surprised to see them switch to a narower angle V in a future design to allow more compact chasis.
Gear drive cams are cool, the D16 uses them as does honda's RC51. The sound is cool, not quite dry clutch and desmo valve cool, but it would be a nice addition to those sounds. I don't think the bike would stop being a ducati if it didn't have belts and desmo. As long as they don't build an inline four. Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: DanTheMan on October 10, 2009, 06:06:15 PM Not sure what was wrong with the old place, it was close to the hookers. If you have ever been there you'll know what im talking about.
Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: NAKID on October 10, 2009, 06:25:21 PM I don't think the bike would stop being a ducati if it didn't have belts and desmo. What about the bevel drives?Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: jwoconnor on October 10, 2009, 06:59:27 PM I would bet on gear driven cams. Less maintenance than even chains and they are usually reserved for "racing breeds" which would go well with the Ducati panache.
Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: psycledelic on October 11, 2009, 04:20:06 AM I am sure that Ducati would really benefit from a new, state-of-art facility. Eco-friendly is a big plus. Purpose built facility will really make their production more efficient. Newer / better equipment means tighter / more consistant tolerances. (Although, when all said and done, I wonder how much of the old equipment will just be relocated).
End of the day, I doubt the saving of efficiency comes close the equaling the cost of a new facility. Which means belt driven, chain driven, and/or gear driven, the bikes are gonna be even more expensive in the future. Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: jerryz on October 11, 2009, 12:17:43 PM gear drive cams will be expensive to produce ..ask Honda about VFR costs?...so not really a sensible way to save money.
Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: jwoconnor on October 11, 2009, 05:07:12 PM Getting out of MotoGP/WSB would save money but would that happen?
Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: derby on October 11, 2009, 05:42:50 PM Getting out of MotoGP/WSB would save money but would that happen? i'm pretty sure marlboro picks up the tab for that. Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Autostrada Pilot on October 12, 2009, 06:03:03 AM Not sure what was wrong with the old place, it was close to the hookers. If you have ever been there you'll know what im talking about. Yes I do, and I have a picture to prove it! [moto] Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Cloner on October 12, 2009, 01:02:12 PM Vicki Smith on the Ducati "Big List" has confirmed that this story is absolutely true, and that construction is underway. The new facility will have a much expanded museum, as well as the other facilities noted in the article.
The old facility will be demolished and replaced with housing. Who'd have thunk it? I guess prostitutes need homes, too, huh? Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: DanTheMan on October 12, 2009, 01:24:00 PM Yes I do, and I have a picture to prove it! [moto] [thumbsup] [laugh] Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: fasterblkduc on October 13, 2009, 02:28:31 AM I thought that this was going to be about Ducati moving production to India....because they are.
http://www.mydigitalfc.com/2008/ducati-assemble-bikes-india (http://www.mydigitalfc.com/2008/ducati-assemble-bikes-india) Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: Travman on October 13, 2009, 03:28:33 AM I thought that this was going to be about Ducati moving production to India....because they are. That article is about assembling bikes in India to avoid the high tariffs. That isn't really about manufacturing bikes there for other markets. Harley Davidson does this in Brazil to avoid their really high tariffs, but it is only an assembly plant of almost complete bikes to satisfy the Brazil market. http://www.mydigitalfc.com/2008/ducati-assemble-bikes-india (http://www.mydigitalfc.com/2008/ducati-assemble-bikes-india) Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: fasterblkduc on October 13, 2009, 04:44:19 AM Yup...realize that. I thought that this thread was about that until I read it. [beer]
Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: jwoconnor on October 13, 2009, 05:30:39 PM I thought that this was going to be about Ducati moving production to India....because they are. http://www.mydigitalfc.com/2008/ducati-assemble-bikes-india (http://www.mydigitalfc.com/2008/ducati-assemble-bikes-india) 114% import tax?! Holy crap, and Americans are protectionist? Title: Re: Ducati may be moving its factory Post by: RetroSBK on October 14, 2009, 05:28:36 AM If Americans were protectionist, we wouldnt have the huge trade deficit... dont get me started
New place should be pretty cool, sad to give up on the heritage tho, but its the new direction, move beyond your past, only to return to the products that built you. I honestly thought it would be much bigger, but I guess they dont need THAT much space. in ANY event, its better than the new BMW 1000.. built AND assembled in Tiawan... no joke, as are the k1300gt, etc |