[Ducati] ST4/4s flaky rockers, how common?

[Ducati5555 at aol.com]

All Desmoquattro motors from 96 through 2002 are subject to the flaking  
rocker problem.  Typically it is the opening rockers that flake,not usually  the 
closing rockers.  I would say it is very common.  I have done  valve 
adjustments on maybe 10 desmoquattro's and all had at least one flaking  rocker.  Some 
have had as much as 3.  My 916 had 2 at 6,000 miles, my  ST 4 had 2 at 12,000 
miles.   A 748, which was never serviced until  the 18,000 mile mark, had 3 bad 
ones.  
 
I send mine out to Megacycle and they replace it with one that had been  
replated and ground.  Costs about $75 per rocker.  I am told that  Megacycles are 
better than the ducati replacements.  
 
I havent seen a bad cam due to the rocker problem, even in the 748 where  the 
rockers were pretty bad, but have been told by others that sometimes the  
cams do get trashed if the rockers are not attended too.  
 
If you bought a used ST4 or ST4S, most likely you would have one or two  
flaking opening rockers if they havent been changed out before, and the cams  
would be ok.  I dont see it as a big problem and just deal with it when it  
arises.  I always pull the opening rockers out when I do a valve adjustment  so I 
can check them.  Its not that much more work to do that.
 
If you found a bike you like, maybe you could have it serviced  before  you 
buy it and have the problem dealt with.  
 
Mike Guidera
94 M944
97 916
99 ST4
_www.emsduc.com_ (http://www.emsduc.com)