[Ducati] Removing material from breather box

[Scott Cloninger]

Kevin,

This is a common mod to older SS models and it does increase airflow capacity through the airbox, as the stock snorkels are quite restrictive in the interest of decreasing intake noise emissions.  This modification will probably (definitely) require rejetting of the carburetors and will work better with an aftermarket exhaust system.  These mods might net you a 5% to 10% (probably nearer the low end of that range) increase in horsepower output and will have few negative effects on the power curve that I'm aware of.

On the downside this mod can make your bike a little less rideable in rainy conditions, as it can allow water into the airbox.  For reference, I have performed this mod on my '95 900SS and I've had no problems with it, but I have heard claims from some that their bikes are nearly unrideable in the wet.  To demonstrate the extreme, I have a friend who has a Bimota DB4 (same 900cc air-cooled Ducati engine, but with individual air cleaners) who has to stop riding in the rain because the engine simply shuts down!!  This problem seems to be less prevalent when the air box top is simply modified leaving a ring around the edges to hold down the air cleaner, with a bit of a dam at the front to avoid water inflitration.  If you never ride in the rain, then don't worry about it.  If you're like me and get caught out in the rain occasionally (darned near every week this summer, it seemed), then at least weigh the possibility that you might have some difficulty.

Another negative is that this mod SIGNIFICANTLY increases intake noise.  If you like a quiet bike, don't even consider this modification.

If you'd like to see the end result of this mod, I have the airbox off of my bike right now (the frame is off to be powder coated) so I can take pictures of the airbox and airbox top and post them to my myspace account or something.  Let me know if you're interested.

Regards,

Scott Cloninger
Chattanooga, TN
Topless? (or nearly so!!)

-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Desjardins [mailto:kevin.desjardins at globel.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 9:33 AM
To: 'Ducati Owners Group'
Subject: [Ducati] Removing material from breather box




Your Input Please:
It was suggested that I remove most of the plastic on my air cleaners
breather box on my 93 750 SS, currently there are two holes above each carb.
Anyone done this and what are the potential advantages?

93 750 SS 


Kevin Desjardins



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