Ducati Monster Forum

I know most of you want to vomit at the thought of another rocker arm question, but I have to say..  Of all the zillions of rocker arm threads I have read, I haven't seen any talking about the middle ground of when a rocker arm is good or bad.  I know what bad is.  I have 2 here in front of me right now.  I have another 6 or 7 that I would say are very marginal.  Some people say if there is any dull patch marks where the cam lobe has been hitting, it needs to be changed.  Others say if its smooth and not flaking, its still good.   My 6 or 7 that are marginal have a little bit of a dull smudge in the chrome where the cam lobe hits, but when I feel it with my finger and rub my finger nail across it, the rocker feels silky smooth..  I'm don't have much experience with these so I'd love to hear a more expert opinion.. What say you?   Also, the rockers are from a 2001 Monster S4.

This might help you   http://ducatitech.com/ducatitech/4v/maint/rockers/index.html   from our sponsor, California Cycleworks.  I don't know if  www.megacyclecams.com  415 472 3195  still offers this service.  Also, post good photos.  Shiny and dull are relative.  The rockers are not shiny new.  Your finger nail is also a good indicator of surface quality.  How many miles on the rockers?  Original?  If replaced, when.  Just an opinion.  If those rockers have never been changed and the bike is low mileage and in good condition I would go ahead and change them as preventative maintenance.

Thanks Howie. I think that Ducatitech article cleared it up a little bit for me....  My bad ones and my good ones look like the bad and good ones in that article..