Ducati may be moving its factory

[Travman]

"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 The old factory has been home to the brand since 1926, but the outdated building that survived the Second World War will make way for a purpose-built estate to be built over the next three years, under a recent deal signed with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

[DoubleEagle]

Sounds like a positive move for the future of Ducati and future Ducatisti

Dolph     

[pennyrobber]

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.

[IdZer0]

A small test track will also allow customers to try out new models

This is going to be fun

[spolic]

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

[woodyracing]

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.

[Duki09]

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.

[Popeye the Sailor]

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?

[woodyracing]

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)

[ducpainter]

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.

[Popeye the Sailor]

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

"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 

[ducpainter]

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 

true...

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.

[Duki09]

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.   

[Travman]

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).

[Triple J]

I'd rather see gear driven cams...just cause they would sound cool.  I have no idea how that would affect maintenance or cost.