How to lose unsprung rear weight (single-sided swingarm cush drive joys)

[Monstyr]

Fantastic job there, well done.

This has been well known issue for single sided Ducati hubs for a while. My old 916 had this problem,fortunately I found it before it did too much damage.
There was also a cheap fix for it too if anyone is worried about theirs. (and hopefully I've remembered it correctly, I'm sure the logical minded of you will be able to tell me otherwise)
Just remove the sprocket and remove it from the carrier, on its inside face take a punch and beside each of the cush rubber holes punch one (or two?) indents as close to the edge of the cush rubber sockets as you can manage, this should have the same effect as peening a chain link and should cause a little lip to appear  at the very inside edge of the hole which only needs to be enough to stop the cush rubbers from walking towards the hub.
It worked on the superbikes,I'm surprised its still an issue over ten years later considering its such an easy fix and a disasterous consequence if left.

[muskrat]

just found this thread.  Mine failed and in less than 500 miles it ate itself into the swing arm itself.  riding in the rain and sand for so long I thought nothing of it and when I got home was about to set the bike on fire.  I'm glad I found a reasonably priced swing arm and hub for cheap. 

[corey]

question regarding cush drives.
are there any manufactures making these things in a solid piece out of something more substantial than rubber? I understand the purpose of the rubber, and what the cush drive is doing, but is there something else that's pliable enough to dampen the drive forces, yet also stiff enough to directly bolt on?
I know with automotive bushings, polyurethane and delrin are in high use right now for these reasons...

thoughts??

[DarkStaR]

IMO, the same issue will happen regardless..or eventually.

It's the bonding procedure that seems to be the problem.  (e.g. metal to rubber)

In the automotive industry, the bushings are mounted/used in a way where failure is not as detrimental or possible the way it is on our ducs.

Best bet is to replace the sprocket carrier with one that prevents the backing out problem all together.

[greenmonster]

Amazing writeup & all those pics, thx alot f sharing! 

[crimsoncloak]

I saw the title and was hoping this thread was about a source for the lightweight titanium cush drives that I can't seem to find anymore.

[Amlethae]

Still a great tutorial!

I'm trying to do something a bit more simple... just changing my rear sprocket on an SSS... Do I need to remove the rear wheel to do this?  (I don't think so, but I want to make sure I'm not missing something).  And should I put it up on a rear stand when I do it?  I just don't want to mess this up.  Thanks!

[Speeddog]

Still a great tutorial!

I'm trying to do something a bit more simple... just changing my rear sprocket on an SSS... Do I need to remove the rear wheel to do this?  (I don't think so, but I want to make sure I'm not missing something).  And should I put it up on a rear stand when I do it?  I just don't want to mess this up.  Thanks!

No, you don't need to remove the rear wheel.

Yes, you should put it up on a rear stand.

[Oldfisti]

I saw the title and was hoping this thread was about a source for the lightweight titanium cush drives that I can't seem to find anymore.

http://www.ducatipartsblowout.com/catalog/40-01301.htm

if they still have them

[stopintime]

I saw the title and was hoping this thread was about a source for the lightweight titanium cush drives that I can't seem to find anymore.

It's been a while since you asked, but.....
http://www.bellissimoto.com/AEMDriveDucati.html   (scroll down)

[corey]

lol... only $279!!
i guess it's cheaper than a hub and swinger... but jeez.

[Two dogs]

Elingly do you have a photo showing the damage of the bike before work began ?
I want to know what signs to look for on a damaged cush drive as I am shopping for an S2R
cheers

[Duc796canada]

Great write up! Yes, the vulcanizing process is the weak link abut also some cleaning agents eat the rubber! On the helicopter Bell 412, we have found this on the head, mind you the helo head is under a lot more force!