Is this normal?

[desmodoktor]

here are some pictures of my horizontal cylinder.
what can you tell from the pictures about how the engine is running?
are these colors and dirt normal? (haven't opened another engine so i wouldn't know)
please give me as much info as possible just by looking at the pics . 
note: valves are within specs. 10k miles on the bike.
thank you

[SpikeC]

 Looks like a city bike to me!

[Speeddog]

Looks OK, no red flags.

Why did you pull it apart?

[desmodoktor]

Looks OK, no red flags.

Why did you pull it apart?

im doing the valves. so both cylinders are out. since i took out the pipes so i polish them ,  i removed the heads to adjust the valves properly (i have limited space to move in my garage)
basically im going over EVERYTHING on the bike. replacing any rusted bolts/nuts or the ones that are ready to go .. changing the fork fluid, adjusting the throttle bodies, pulling out the wheel bearings (inspect/grease) , brake/clutch bleed, oil+oil filter, fuel filter, ect ect ect ect....
i posted these pics just so you guys see them and maybe tell me the condition of the engine or how its operating .. so i know what do fix... 

[WTSDS]

Would be worthwhile now the heads are off to take a careful look at the threads in the sparkplug holes. Easy job to put a pair of inserts in if they are not perfect.

[stopintime]

I go with my instinct when people ask 'is this normal' about a Ducati 

Yes!


Last time I looked mine wasn't much different - maybe a little less dark, but mine is a tuned engine.

Very nice of you to care for your bike so well

[scaramanga]

was it burning oil? the white crust on the exhaust valve tells me that A there was a liitle oil back there and B the exhaust temp was high enough to burn it into an ashy crust. the high temp may be due to a lean condition.
to keep my spark plug threads in good shape i usually put a little nickle based antiseaze on the spark plug threads.

[ducpainter]

was it burning oil? the white crust on the exhaust valve tells me that A there was a liitle oil back there and B the exhaust temp was high enough to burn it into an ashy crust. the high temp may be due to a lean condition.
to keep my spark plug threads in good shape i usually put a little nickle based antiseaze on the spark plug threads.

I see no signs of excessive heat there...

maybe too high octane gas depending on mileage.

[desmodoktor]

I see no signs of excessive heat there...

maybe too high octane gas depending on mileage.

im running 93 Vpower from shell all the time.

[desmodoktor]

was it burning oil? the white crust on the exhaust valve tells me that A there was a liitle oil back there and B the exhaust temp was high enough to burn it into an ashy crust. the high temp may be due to a lean condition.
to keep my spark plug threads in good shape i usually put a little nickle based antiseaze on the spark plug threads.

yes its running lean bcoz of my arrow full exhaust... tried to play with the throttle bodies but didn't get it done 100%...
is there a way to balance fuel/air ratios without a power commander?

[ducpainter]

im running 93 Vpower from shell all the time.

My belief is you need no more than 87 octane in a stock motor.

I was taught that by an inductee into the Ducati Hall of Fame.

High octane fuels will cause carbon because of their reluctance to burn.

Believe it or not.

[brad black]

man that's a lot of work to do the valves.

unless "do the valves" means big ones, cams, high comps, etc.

i say try all the fuels and see what it likes the best.  but i generally start with the lowest, cause i'm a tight arse.  it's a 750, so you could probably run it on kero.

[memper]

My belief is you need no more than 87 octane in a stock motor.

I was taught that by an inductee into the Ducati Hall of Fame.

High octane fuels will cause carbon because of their reluctance to burn.

Believe it or not.

I agree. I was told that 87 is for every vehicle. Higher octane is for higher comp or if your motor is pinging. My guess is that gas companies like to have the myths about higher octane gas float around so they can make more dough. Ahh memper...there's always a conspiracy isn't there...

[desmodoktor]

My belief is you need no more than 87 octane in a stock motor.

I was taught that by an inductee into the Ducati Hall of Fame.

High octane fuels will cause carbon because of their reluctance to burn.

Believe it or not

Ok I'll start putting 87 and see how it goes .. how abt on my 12 1100evo? High or low octane fuel ??

[desmodoktor]

man that's a lot of work to do the valves.

unless "do the valves" means big ones, cams, high comps, etc.

i say try all the fuels and see what it likes the best.  but i generally start with the lowest, cause i'm a tight arse.  it's a 750, so you could probably run it on kero.

What I'm doing is pulling everything out , clean everything from all that burnt gasoline that sticked there .. measure the valves , adjust the clearances on the Shims , test if the valves are closing properly.. replace all the o rings , valve gaskets, and the nuts that lock the head in place, measure the gap on the spark plugs , then sync the throttle bodies etc ... See with my budget the only way to afford owning ducatis is by doing everything myself ... So far that has gone pretty well ... Thx to common sense and all the helpful people in this forum ..