Ducati Monster Forum

Just had Nichols Mfg do the 15k service on my '07 M695.

While they had it opened up they also set the cam timing and put on a light flywheel.

The results are fantastic!  Buttery smooth and more responsive.  Sorry I didn't do those things sooner.  I feel very fortunate to live near Milpitas...thanks to Mike for getting everything dialed in so well...great shop.   [thumbsup]

BK

I have a machined stock flywheel on my Supersport. It's definitely a nice mod. But be aware that your bike may not idle smoothly until it gets fairly hot. And I've heard that the Nichols flywheel's splines sometimes chip off under hard use.

Seems OK so far with slightly revised application of the fast idle lever for cold startup and warm re-start, but some of that might also be due to the cam timing and trim adjustments.  I'll get some more miles in and report back if I have issues.  Steel is probably a more logical material for a flywheel, but I did my research and I have confidence in the Nichols unit.

BK

I opted to keep the stock flywheel.  I'm glad I did because my bike has a hard enough time starting as it is, but I've ridden one with a lightened flywheel--big difference!  I noticed it mostly in the engine braking.  It's interesting that you thought that the bike was made smoother by the lightening of the flywheel...I would think (and it seemed to me on the one bike I've ridden with one) that it wasn't smoother. 

Definitely a smoother overall riding experience, but remember that is after the combination of valve adjust, cam timing change, ECU trim adjustment and flywheel.  I do notice a bit more vibe through the seat on the freeway, but nothing that blurs the gauges or mirrors.  I straffed the twisty part of Page Mill Road a couple of times to test it all out and I definitely felt that the engine braking and downshifts were less abrupt, even though I was expecting the opposite effect.  Maybe the euphoria of a sorted out machine clouded my brain!  I'll get some more riding in to see where things stand.  Anyway, the main purpose of my post was to give kudos to Nichols for a job well done.

BK

I was just surprised that you said that the lightened flywheel made the ride smoother--more nimble and reactive, sure--but smoother?  You know your bike better than me...but you're the first person I've heard say that.  Do you know if they did something different to your flywheel than their usual treatment?  Is your flywheel significantly different than other Ducati flywheels?  Just curious... not that I'm looking for a reason to open up the bike, but I've resisted this particular mod for a long time.  Given the age and wear on mine, opening up the case is going to happen sooner rather than later.  I'm wondering if this is something I want to revisit. 

I'll point out again that multiple things were done at once, including the flywheel change, and the overall effect was something that I would describe as smooth and harmonious.  How much of it can be attributed to the lighter flywheel I cannot say because it was a package deal.

As far as I know there is nothing special about my Nichols flywheel, and I was not presented with options.  I will weigh the steel one that came out for comparison.  It's probably safe to assume that different monsters will respond differently to flywheel weight reduction....big monsters, small monsters, dry clutch, wet clutch, etc.

I also put off the flywheel mod for what seemed like a long time...until I started shopping for a new bike...then I figured I'd do what I could to raise the current one to slightly new level instead of going into debt on a new ride.  That little piece of aluminum might just save me from a SF.   [laugh]

BK

The Nichols flywheel is a bunch lighter than an OEM  -- 10oz v. 4 lbs IIRC.  It's also lighter than the DP flywheels or a machined OEM flywheel.  You're right that different bikes respond differently.  IIRC, the biggest impact of a lightened flywheel is on the lower displacement monsters.  Likely because there is less HP to turn the flywheel, so you'll notice a lot more when you take off the weight.  More powerful monsters are gonna spin that sucker no matter what, so while the lightened flywheel has an effect, its not as much as the less powerful bikes.  That's just what I've heard and what makes sense to me.  I've never ridden a smaller cc monster with a lightened flywheel. 

I think you're on to something there. The biggest difference I notice on the 900SS is the corner entry. Barely a blip of the throttle required to keep the back wheel hooked up now. It certainly does spool up a bit on acceleration, but that's not as noticeable as the difference in corner entry...especially at the track.

That's because the engine can spin up faster.  Normally when you bang a downship and the wheel is going faster than the engine, the wheel locks up a bit until the engine can speed up to catch up with the wheel.  With a lightened flywheel, the engine can speed up more quickly to match the speed of the rear wheel.  It prevents it from locking up as easily and acts like a poor man's slipper.  But that doesn't have to do with engine size.  That's just one of the pluses of the lightened flywheel.  

Exactly. You gotta try this infernal thing sometime. Everyone who rides it wants to take it home.

For the record the flywheel that came out of my M695 weighs 1873.50g = 4.13lb = 66.1oz.

I weighed it on a very expensive calibrated digital scale, so you can take that number to the bank.

According to their documentation, the Nichols units weigh 9-12oz depending on the application.  Not sure how much my particular unit weighs.  It looked to be an even thickness, unlike the OE one with a lot of the mass concentrated at the outer perimeter.

BK

photos or sources, or it didn't happen.  in other words, i am calling bullshift on your statement ... i have known nichols for a long time, and have never heard of this happening. 

what i have heard of is the stock ducati flywheel nut backing itself out, and turning the crankshaft end/flywheel nut into a bad little cutting machine.  that is why nichols developed a twin nut kit for the flywheel/crank end.

also, on the rough idle comment ... sure, a lightened flywheel will case a rough idle IF the low speed idle / air screws are not adjusted properly, and/or if the throttle bodies are not synched up spot on.  the heavier stock flywheel will mask both of these issues, and will not be noticed on a bike until after a lighter flywheel is installed.

all that said, nichols is the first to advise that the lightened flywheel they offer is not for everyone ... some folks love it, some are not as impressed or notice a big difference in the engine dynamics after installation.  ymmv.

Go talk to Desmotosport, Munroe, and Hattar. They've all repaired bikes after this happened.

fair enough ...

now, how many of these nichols flywheel issues were caused by improper installation?  pretty much ANY moving part can/will be susceptible to a murder/suicide outcome, if not properly installed.  

if the installation used either the stock single nut or the nichols dual nuts to secure the flywheel to the crank, and it/they was/were not torqued to the correct spec, the nut(s) can start to back out ... which can allow the flywheel to start tearing itself up at the points of contact with the crank shaft (the splines).

I know plenty about flywheel issues. My stock flywheel came off at 70mph...without ever having been touched by anyone outside of Borgo Panigale. That's why I have a machined stock flywheel: the case was already open, so why not?

i rest my case (pun intended) ... i will assume that your motor was assembled AFTER the wine was consumed @ lunch in the factory cafeteria  [wine]

Actually, I think the torque spec for the flywheel nut was written after wine. That was supposed to be a problem with that model year's 900 motors.

My thoughts exactly.  I opted for the double-nut AND had nichols do the install.  The procedure looks straightforward enough, and I have the right tools, but I figured the part manufacturer would be the most qualified for this particular task.  It added a few bucks to the bill, but in return I get total confidence.   [moto]

BK