Valve guide opinions

[derj]

I'm presently looking to purchase a beautiful '06 S2R1000.  So, trying to be a diligent consumer I spent the last couple of days combing the internets trying to figure out just how serious a problem the valve guides are on the ds1000 engine.  There is a list (on dot em es?) with engine #'s after which the problem on the s2r1000 has been taken care of.  Engine #'s after RAB026287 are safe.......or are they?  BTW....I'm not looking for problems.  I'm in lust with this S2R1000.  Any opinions or thoughts would be appreciated.

[MadDuck]

If you're in lust then you just have to go for it. If you ever have to replace the valve guides it's not the end of the world and you could even end up with a better engine afterwards.

[hillbillypolack]

I haven't read or hear of any issues with the valve guides on the S2R / DS engines.  Could you describe any details of your concern or what you'd heard?  Thanks.

[Armor]

I have almost 30,000 mi. on a 2004 M1000 and the valve guides are fine (runs great).

[Raux]

M1000 is a different motor IIRC

[ducatiz]

I haven't read or hear of any issues with the valve guides on the S2R / DS engines.  Could you describe any details of your concern or what you'd heard?  Thanks.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=35163.msg1010186#msg1010186

[derj]

And a thread from our friends at .ms
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/77-sport-classic/115604-question-valve-guides.html

Sooo.....can anyone opine as to whether I will most likely (or not) have to face a valve guide replacement at some point in the engine's first 25,000 miles (or less) or so.  I know it's not the end of the world.......just asking those who know more than me.

[hillbillypolack]

Seems in some of the threads there are owners replacing guides quite often.  Are these the nickel / bronze guides?

The reason I ask is that my M900 has cast iron guides from the top end refresh and hi-comp piston install.  They seem to be holding up well, but I'd be curious to know what different philosophies would be regarding material and rates of expansion (in nickel bronze vs. iron vs. beryllium etc).

[ducatiz]

iron?

I am not aware of iron ever being used in stock ducati guides.

[hillbillypolack]

iron?

I am not aware of iron ever being used in stock ducati guides.

Not stock.  The mech who did the top end refresh and high comp piston installation used cast iron.  He races (well, used to), and is a well known DOCC tech guy.  I hadn't heard of cast iron either, but they've lasted as well as I can expect so there must have been a good reason. 

[Armor]

M1000 is a different motor IIRC

The M1000 is the same DS 1000 motor as on the S2r1000.

[chris1044]

Do a search on this and you'll get a ton of info.  Search on google as well - IIRC there were a lot of Multi's that had the issue as well.

My 2 cents:  Does the bike you're looking at emit any smoke (blue) when you start it?  If it doesn't, you're probably fine.  If you're real serious, pull the valve covers on one of the cylinders if that's an option.

[Raux]

The M1000 is the same DS 1000 motor as on the S2r1000.

hadn't realized all 1000s were Dual Spark

[OT]

I have almost 30,000 mi. on a 2004 M1000 and the valve guides are fine (runs great).

Mine are going at 15,000 miles...same bike

[atomic410]

i've been racing my 620 for 3 seasons and its needed them the whole time.  if it robed performance i'd have fixed it by now.  for the $ i can deal with a little smoke