I didn't want to ride anymore this season anyway...

[ZLTFUL]

...or at least that's what I keep telling myself.



Went out to start the Multi the other day and nothing...starter was spinning but it didn't sound like it was engaging.

Was also puking a "Pickup" code on the display.



Called Ducati Roadside Assistance (Which, if you never have, is hilarious in its own right..."Hello...Joe's Towing..."...really...?)

They sent a flatbed and off she went...





I go down to my local dealer to meet the truck.

Once there, I explain to him what happened and he said he would begin tearing it down that night and go from there. (Friday night)



Saturday morning, we are in the neighborhood of the dealer so I decide to stop on by to see if he found the issue yet and what it is going to take to fix it.



I duck into the shop and he tells me that the starter is the least of my problems...











So it appears that I managed to break the end off the crankshaft.

I definitely don't ride like a saint but I haven't beaten on the bike by any means.

He suspects bad heat treating.

Obviously, it is covered under the warranty and definitely has me shopping for extended warranty to take over once my factory one expires. Crank alone is a $2800 part.



On the plus side, I get the engine portion of my 15k service for free even though I am only at 12k+ a bit.



so, looks like my riding season is over.

[Rob Hilding]

At least it is warranty


Plus riding over those wet leaves is mighty dangerous

[Skybarney]

Oh man!  Sorry to hear your season is over.  That looks like one heck of an extensive fix.  Personally once I checked out the prices of various repairs I bought the five year extended warranty for my bike before I left the dealer.  795.00 is cheap compared to any internal damage.

Wonder if I can buy a second extended warranty when the first expires?

[koko64]

Sorry, thats very bad.

Wiil they give you a loaner bike?

I wonder if they will repair the bike or just replace the complete motor.? You would think it would be easiest to throw in another motor. Im sure Ducati will study that crank carefully. Maybe a bad run of cranks and a recall?

What do others think? Howie, Speeddog, Brad?

[Buckethead]

Maaaaaaaan...

That's why we can't have nice things. 

[ZLTFUL]

Apparently, not as uncommon as one would think...

http://www.ducati-superbikes.com/index.php/topic/18180-crank-shaft-breaking-off-at-the-flywheel/

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/56-superbikes/74519-broken-flywheel-shaft.html

No loaner bike and they will replace the broken part and necessary parts to replace said broken part...
Crank by itself is $2800+... 

[Speedbag]

It's gonna snow tomorrow anyway. 

[SpikeC]

 That could have been SO ugly! Imagine passing on a narrow 2 lane with a truck coming........
Really sorry to hear about this, great that they are covering it!

[Speeddog]

My initial suspicion is that the bearing in the alternator cover failed, which removes the support on the outer end of the crank, allowing that big honkin' flywheel and rotor to over-stress it.

I'd be surprised if they could verify that either way, but it's possible.

Certainly could be bad heat-treat, or a flaw in the crank material.
Or a dozen other things.

[ZLTFUL]

Makes me want to throw a Nichols on it while it is apart...had one in the 900 Monster and it was a night and day difference between the stocker...

[Mhanis]

I can't believe you didn't notice anything odd the last time you rode it! It clearly didn't break just sitting there after your last ride. Don't get me wrong, I am glad that thing didn't explode while you were on it but I would have thought that you would feel something that bad!

Mark

[ZLTFUL]

Actually, it snapped when I tried to start it. Had it let go while riding if, the engine would have shut down due to the pickup no longer spinning.

The supposition is that it has been cracked for a little while at least and that the last time the engine was stopped, it stopped at a point that allowed the torque of the starter to overcome what little strength was left "holding" the crack together.

I have owned over 100 motorcycles over the years and have a pretty keen sense for "wrong" noises coming from the engine and this made no noises outside of the ordinary.

[Mhanis]

Your explanation makes sense!

Good luck with it.

Mark

[dufukincati]

That could have been SO ugly! Imagine passing on a narrow 2 lane with a truck coming........

LOL, this shit blows my mind. I hope you really don't make decisions like this when you ride.

[Skybarney]

^^^Real men only pass while the truck is next to the vehicle they are passing.......   

I think a larger concern would be pulling hard out of a turn in the mountains while riding two up and having nothing to the rear end.  I spit a couple of belts off my Buell like that.  It can be scary.