Is the M696 safe to ride?

[ManaloEA]

Decided to move the chain to examine the damage. Is this a structural issue with the swing arm?

[Howie]

The point is you are missing piece #1.  Ask the dealer where it is.

The damage is not likely to hurt structural integrity, but it is still unacceptable.

[ungeheuer]

The part you are missing is the plastic chain guide, item 1 in the parts diagram below.


It ought be installed around the leading edge of the swingarm between the swingarm and the chain... and in your picture, it clearly is not there....

[ManaloEA]

It ought be installed around the leading edge of the swingarm between the swingarm and the chain... and in your picture, it clearly is not there....

Thanks ungeheuer.   That is what I suspected... bummer. I will have to ask the dealer about what happened to it.

[ManaloEA]

The dealer just dropped off the bike. They did a pretty good job fixing and cleaning things up.

Kudos to the Redline.

[Raux]

STOPPPPP!!!!

[Raux]

where the hell is your chain guide? did they answer why it was missing? what the hell happened?
DO NOT ride that bike.
Is that the same dealer that did the first work? FIND ANOTHER DEALER.


did they change the chain?  it looks like metal flakes all over that one in the pic. they shaved down your swingarm and painted it?

I really would not feel good about this if it were my bike at this point.

[ManaloEA]

where the hell is your chain guide? did they answer why it was missing? what the hell happened?
DO NOT ride that bike.
Is that the same dealer that did the first work? FIND ANOTHER DEALER.


did they change the chain?  it looks like metal flakes all over that one in the pic. they shaved down your swingarm and painted it?

I really would not feel good about this if it were my bike at this point.

I asked about the chain guard, and they said that when they put the 14t sprocket, the chain gets too close to the plastic and rubs against it.

I see what you mean about the flakes... definitely a combination of road dirt and other stuff.

Is the bike un-ride able? If I called them tomorrow and argued the point, do I have a leg to stand on?

[ungeheuer]

where the hell is your chain guide?.... what the hell happened?.... did they change the chain?.... they shaved down your swingarm and painted it?...

I really would not feel good about this if it were my bike at this point.

+1

I asked about the chain guard, and they said that when they put the 14t sprocket, the chain gets too close to the plastic and rubs against it.

I ran 14t front sprocket on my M696 with the chain guide installed with zero issues for several thousand kilometers. And if there was to be any contact.... wouldnt you rather the chain chewed thru a sacrificial cheap and easily replaceable plastic guide... than chew up your swing arm??

Is the bike un-ride able? If I called them tomorrow and argued the point, do I have a leg to stand on?

I dont know.  But let me put this to you:  Your bike was in perfect order, right?  You then requested a dealer replace the stock 15t front sprocket with a 14t item.... and as a result of that... you have a damaged swing arm and a missing chain guide.

Its hard for me to tell from your pics, but personally I wouldnt be happy with a "shave and paint" repair to the swing arm if it was mine.  I would want the bike returned to the same undamaged condition as it was prior to having a part removed and the sprocket swapped (did they ask or tell you that they intended to remove the chain guide?).  They did the work, they need to make good the failure IMO.  But its up to you to determine what level of repair you consider as having satisfied "make good".

And for the record, I really dont think the missing chain guide is the reason for your chain chewing up the swing arm - sure it may have helped limit the damage, but I dont think it not being there is the reason for the failure.  Seems to me that from what you've said and shown us here..... the 14t sprocket probably just wasnt fitted correctly to begin with.

[ManaloEA]

And for the record, I really dont think the missing chain guide is the reason for your chain chewing up the swing arm - sure it may have helped limit the damage, but I dont think it not being there is the reason for the failure.  Seems to me that from what you've said and shown us here..... the 14t sprocket probably just wasnt fitted correctly to begin with.

When I spoke to the manager there, they identified the reason for the failure (the sprocket retention plate) was due to the lack of Loctite Red. The factory uses Red, but the technician who installed the 14t used Blue... obviously with unsatisfactory results.

I agree with your assertion that I started with a perfect bike, and should get one back. But the dealer made a good faith effort to compensate me for the inconvenience... probably not ethical to mention the details here on a public forum.

[Howie]

You need the guard.  A chain at rest will hit the guide.  Without it you will grind up the swing arm.  The guide is a wearing part, the swing arm is not.  If the debris on the chain is metal flakes your chain will not last too long.  The repair manual calls for Loctite 222 (purple) which is low strength.  Most of us use medium since low is hard to find.  Next sprocket change you will need heat to get those screws out.

[Raux]

seriously, at this point, i would find another dealer, get Ducati North America involved and get a new swingarm out of it.
they screwed up the first mount, put nail polish on it, gave you a few bucks and hoped the issue will go away.  

the guide IS SUPPOSED TO WEAR. when you go over a dip and the suspension drops, the chain hits the guide, 15t or 14t
leaving a chain on that has AL pieces jammed into the joints  
there's a repair MANUAL for a reason.

Straight from the manual
-Front sprocket retaining screw M5x0.8 6Nm LOCK 1
-LOCK 1 Low-strength threadlocker. Loctite 222

i know it's your bike, but you seem new to either the brand or bikes.
I may not be a certified mechanic, but I can read a manual, and I know right from wrong.
There ARE a lot of certified Ducati mechanics on here though. take their advice if you don't want to take mine.

[Scissors]

I agree with the others, your dealer sucks.

The plastic chain guide exists to guide the chain along its path and keep it off of the swingarm.  Whoever removed that is a moron.  Without it, your chain will eat up the swingarm every time you engine brake or hit a bump.

And strong locktite?  WTF?   

[ManaloEA]

seriously, at this point, i would find another dealer, get Ducati North America involved and get a new swingarm out of it.
they screwed up the first mount, put nail polish on it, gave you a few bucks and hoped the issue will go away.  

the guide IS SUPPOSED TO WEAR. when you go over a dip and the suspension drops, the chain hits the guide, 15t or 14t
leaving a chain on that has AL pieces jammed into the joints  
there's a repair MANUAL for a reason.

Straight from the manual
-Front sprocket retaining screw M5x0.8 6Nm LOCK 1
-LOCK 1 Low-strength threadlocker. Loctite 222

i know it's your bike, but you seem new to either the brand or bikes.
I may not be a certified mechanic, but I can read a manual, and I know right from wrong.
There ARE a lot of certified Ducati mechanics on here though. take their advice if you don't want to take mine.

I appreciate your advice, and will follow up with the dealer today. 

You are right, I am new to the brand, and motorcycles in general. If I had another bike to ride while this was sitting at the dealer waiting for parts to be shipped, it would not be so bad. But this bike is my daily driver, and pulling up to the pump in my truck is excruciating.

Getting a new dealer isn't so easy. The dealer that I go to now is just under 2 hours drive one way. The next closest one is ~3.5 hours drive. So dropping off the bike requires a day off from work. There is a performance shop that works on Duc's about a half hour from me, don't know if they do warranty work though. I will be calling them this morning.

[ManaloEA]

Spoke to the dealer, a new chain guide is on order.

Found out that DucNA declined the swingarm because it was not a structural issue. not sure where to go from here...

Asked about the chain shavings... inconclusive. I will be keeping an eye on it.