Serious Safety Issue on a 2009 Monster 696

[mitt]

My bike (2003 M1000) uses a different system, so I am just learning how this one works.  What is supposed to keep the sprocket located on the shaft?  I understand the plate in the groove, but should the shoulder of the sprocket also be close to the engine case or is there enough clearance to move like the OP's photos?

mitt

[Turf]

there is enough room to move like on the OP's photo

it's the plate that sits in the groove and is offset so that it can't move because of the splines and is held in place by two bolts on the countershaft

It's painfully simple and could be improved, theres just very little reason to.

[Spidey]

What is supposed to keep the sprocket located on the shaft?  

This looks like the same system as they had on the 620 and the "smaller" monsters.  The sprocket is kept from moving off the end of the shaft by the retaining plate.  The retaining plate *should* remain in the groove while the sprocket floats on the shaft.  The retaining plates' splines should NOT line up with the splines on the output shaft, so that retaining just rests securely in the the groove.  I suppose if you overtightened those retaining bolts, it could bent or warp the retaining plate and it could slide itself and the sprocket inward toward the engine.  To answer the other part of your question, there is nothing that keeps the sprocket from moving inward toward the engine except chain tension and wheel alignment.  There's some freeplay in the system, but I haven't seen it be a problem before (not that I've seen a bizillion of 'em or anything).

I'm betting this is human error of some sort--either in assembly(?), from the prior owner or from the shop.  

Re getting a lawyer, you're not at that point yet. 

[mikesmithmjs]

I still think this is a serious issue because even if there was human error, there has to be some sort of mechanical way to prevent this kind of mishap.  we've put monkeys into space in 1949 and yet we can't prevent a chain from causing significant damage and possibly a serious accident.  

i've mentioned that this is out of warranty.  is there any incentive for ducati to repair this on their quarter?

Has anyone had them "have your back?"

i'm really bummed about this because to repair is ~50% of the resale value of the bike.

[Turf]

i've mentioned that this is out of warranty.  is there any incentive for ducati to repair this on their quarter?

Has anyone had them "have your back?"

i'm really bummed about this because to repair is ~50% of the resale value of the bike.

It seems like something ducati would goodwill, I used to be a service guy at a duc shop, ask nicely and be cool and the service guys will do what they can for you. Ducati Goodwills a fair amount of stuff that is questionable, you stand a pretty good chance of getting it.

[Spidey]

A lot of it will depend on your dealer.  Sometimes Ducati will take of something if it's out of warranty as a goodwill gesture.  I have not idea when or why they do it, but it almost always requires the shop to be behind you.

Is the 'dealer' you mentioned a Ducati dealer?  I assume you bought the bike at the same place you recently had it servived.  And have you talked with the manager there?    

[DucatiSTi]

First off, that sucks

In pic #1, it shows that the retaining plate is not holding on to anything except the sprocket

IIRC, when I changed my sprocket on my 696, the toothed retaining plate slides onto the toothed shaft and positions the sprocket by means of the groove on the shaft - I think the retainer rotates in the groove, lining up with the screw holes in the sprocket thereby locking the sprocket in the correct position

If the sprocket was never touched, then the retaining plate was never installed correctly at the factory - time to call Ducati

Good luck

[Ddan]

It would take some serious work to install that retainer plate wrong.  Both my 900's have the same system and I've never had a problem.  The only way you could get the grooves in the plate to line up with the splines would be to have a lot of slop in either the sprocket or the shaft.  I don't think the failure is in the retainer, you've got something else going on.  Where did you host the pics?  I'd like to see the third one blown up.

[mikesmithmjs]

Dan,

photos are on flickr

user name = mikesmithmjs

mike

[Howie]

56+K on mine, original retainer.  

[WetDuc]

How can your duc be out of warranty if it is an '09?

[mikesmithmjs]

How can your duc be out of warranty if it is an '09?

it originally was purchased in summer of 08. first owner put 182 miles on it, then traded it in for a BMW.

[battlecry]

That guy did not like chains.

[mikesmithmjs]

That guy did not like chains.

i'm starting not to as well

[WetDuc]

I see.




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I always hated that little plate, although you are the first person I've seen have it fail.  To me it would have to be installer error, some kind of forcing or incorrect part. 
JB weld the swingarm chainsawed chunk maybe?