Ducati Vyper - Ducati is considering a new 1400cc power cruiser

[ducatiz]

Chains are fine.
They're heavier than belts.
For a Duc conversion, it would be possible to make a separate oil-tight case assembly.
It'd be a huge piece for the back of the case, and would have to be made as one piece to maintain oil tightness.
The outer cover would be a problem, as it'd be impossible to remove as a one piece, and difficult to seal if it was a multi piece.

Have to find a set of tensioners and chain guide plates that'd work.
Maybe get lucky finding ones from another motor, that would cool.

I bet you could make one with a two-piece assembly, split vertically, sort of how the belt covers work.  Mount the rear piece onto the head.  Bottom bit would have to be a separate piece too. They work wonders with PVC and composites these days.  Lube could be a small bit off the case with a drip return into the sump.  I am talking off the top of my head.

tensioner would have to be integral to the rear cover piece, so cover would have to have a metal spine.  Plenty of AK47 magazines made like this, with a steel ring spine and composite body -- very tough (dare I say "bulletproof?"). 

Seal would be very critical. 

I would be impressed, but I wouldnt' want to do it...

[junior varsity]

ah, steel spine and composite body. the tough composites you speak of must be the not so cheap kvar!

[ducatiz]

ah, steel spine and composite body. the tough composites you speak of must be the not so cheap kvar!

i thought kvar just resold the bulgarian milsurp, but i may be wrong.  my experience is with the bulgarian "waffle" type.  they are pretty hardy.

[junior varsity]

(same thing - bulgarian high quality stuff)

[ducatiz]

(same thing - bulgarian high quality stuff)

used to be Tromix would mod them for Valmets.  I have a clutch of 5.56 Valmets and they are superior to the factory Valmet mag.  I think Tony got in trouble with the alphabet boys for modding them, but I can't be sure, he won't do it anymore and won't say why.  I'd get the mags for $20 and send off a dozen or so to him and he'd cut them for $10 each...  >sigh< that's when i could get Wolf 7.62x39 for $60/case from Tapco.

[ducatiz]

this thread has jumped the shark. 

Ducati will not make a cruiser.  EOL

[weemonster]

isnt that the engine for stu's cafe racer rebuild?   

mmmm push rods

[Howie]

Dems ain't pushrods, those tubes are for the bevel drive for the overhead cams.

[Raux]

yep spinning shafts . wonder how different materials would have made them more efficient and reliable then belts.

[junior varsity]

isnt that the engine for stu's cafe racer rebuild?

That's just a generic bevel drive Ducati. It uses bevel gears to turn the cams rather than belts. Its your "gear" drive.

Bevel Gears:

[NorDog]

Dems ain't pushrods, those tubes are for the bevel drive for the overhead cams.

Twist Rods?   

[ducatiz]

yep spinning shafts . wonder how different materials would have made them more efficient and reliable then belts.

the material wasn't the issue, it was the complexity of the build.  I forget how many shims are involved in that setup, but it is maddening.  you shim one clearance correctly, then ahve to go back and re-shim the others.  madness, i tell you.  not fun.

[weemonster]

Valve spring technology aint moved on much cos in moto gp i think they all abandoned them.
yamaha definately have  dunno about Honda think theirv valbes ar pneumatic

[ducatiz]

Valve spring technology aint moved on much cos in moto gp i think they all abandoned them.
yamaha definately have  dunno about Honda think theirv valbes ar pneumatic

good point and Ford is working on electrically operated valves -- no camshaft.