At the 1200 mile mark on the new 796 which have been a blast. A couple of things have caught my attention and I wanted to check to see if I should be concerned. 1st is a slight rattling noise (like a penny hitting the pavement or a washer in a tin can sound) between 4-5.5k rpm in 3rd-6th gear. It sounds like it is coming from the front of the engine / bike area. I thought it might be the valves and rockers and asked the local tech about it. He said he didn't need to bother checking anything and just laughed and said its a new bike and ducatis make a lot of noise and not to worry. Don't know whether to pull it apart or just get some termis and forget about it. Another issue that has happened a few times is when I get on the throttle at a light after being idle, the bike will just make a quick pop noise from the front end and not respond/chug until I let off the throttle and try again. Should I poke around a bit, take it in to another shop, or quit worrying?
I would not be going back to the shop where your aformentioned "local tech" is employed. It would have taken him 5 minutes to hop-on, take a spin, and listen for the sound himself.
I am not a mechanic, but the situation you descibe at stoplights could be caused by a lean condition??? Most bikes (esp. DUcati's) arrive from the factory running VERY lean to pass emission tests.
I could/probably am competely wrong on everything I have just said. As usual, YMMV...
Good Luck.
Quote from: rockaduc on September 14, 2010, 12:36:15 AM
I would not be going back to the shop where your aformentioned "local tech" is employed. It would have taken him 5 minutes to hop-on, take a spin, and listen for the sound himself.
I am not a mechanic, but the situation you descibe at stoplights could be caused by a lean condition??? Most bikes (esp. DUcati's) arrive from the factory running VERY lean to pass emission tests.
I could/probably am competely wrong on everything I have just said. As usual, YMMV...
Good Luck.
Definitely right about the tech! Yeah, they make a lot of normal noises that might alarm the uninitiated, but he never heard it. It could be serious. Shame on him/her! Did you ask about popping noise also? Take it to another shop.
Thanks for the advice guys. I may check to see if the bike is running lean. I didn't bother asking about the popping problem after being blown off about the rattling noise. My 14t should be getting in soon which I was going to throw on myself but I may just take it to another shop and get them to put it on and check the other issues - I don't think it should take more than 45 min to take care of it all given there are no major issues or shims to adjust. I haven't been to the other duc shop in the area so I don't know what kind of operation they are running, hopefully they are more concerned about service. I'll let you all know what the verdict is.
The popping you hear has been diagnosed as a misfire on my 696. I guess it's typical on the 696/796 (and maybe the 1100). Shouldn't happen too often, though. I average ~400 miles a week on my 696 and will get that misfire once or twice a month. Every time it does happen I'm stopped and about to take off. Usually when I flick the throttle too quickly. To use your words, "quit worrying", about this one.
The other noise you described is worth a second, professional opinion.
Quote from: sugonaut on September 14, 2010, 07:18:31 AM
The popping you hear has been diagnosed as a misfire on my 696. I guess it's typical on the 696/796 (and maybe the 1100). Shouldn't happen too often, though. I average ~400 miles a week on my 696 and will get that misfire once or twice a month. Every time it does happen I'm stopped and about to take off. Usually when I flick the throttle too quickly. To use your words, "quit worrying", about this one.
The other noise you described is worth a second, professional opinion.
Agree with the misfire issue. Happens to me when I'm sitting at a light and start out. Now I always blip the throttle once before letting out the clutch. Problem Solved.
Other problem, that's just strange. On the 696 I have never heard a noise like you describe. Basically just the noisy clutch at idle in neutral (even though it's wet it's noisy). But honestly, it's a new bike and under warranty. I would keep riding and listen carefully as I always do.
Curious if the rattling is the fins that might have lost the little spacers. Someone (maybe Ducpainter) mentioned that losing these caused a rattling noise, but no harm no foul. 15 second check to see if you're missing most of those.
Quote from: sugonaut on September 14, 2010, 07:18:31 AM
The popping you hear has been diagnosed as a misfire on my 696. I guess it's typical on the 696/796 (and maybe the 1100). Shouldn't happen too often, though.
Mis-make the beast with two backsing-fire? Shouldnt happen at all on a new bike under warranty. Factory lean hindered or not. Nag a Duc dealer - any Duc dealer - until you get this AND your mystery noise resolved - maybe nothing..... but if its bothering you.... bother THEM :).
Quote from: Scotzman on September 15, 2010, 08:18:28 PM
Curious if the rattling is the fins that might have lost the little spacers. Someone (maybe Ducpainter) mentioned that losing these caused a rattling noise, but no harm no foul. 15 second check to see if you're missing most of those.
Lack of em apparently causes the fins to "ring". FWIW my M1100 has em (still) but my M696 never had em at all, so I'm not sure where that places M796.