[Ducati] Alazzurra back, 900 to Hanson Racing Tech, and Summer Trip '08

[Kevin Kachadourian]

Finally figured out and fixed (I hope) the intermittent starter problem.
I had been struggling to find the starter selenoid, but the other day, it was a cinch to find (the only thing between the battery and the starter-this was the "well,...duh" moment). Someday, I'll understand how it all works, but the selenoid that was on the bike was closing the starter circuit during non-functioning. I disconnected it and it remained closed. This seemed backwards to me, but I figured there was another safety device in the circuit that prevented starting when the selenoid fails (how, I don't know). The alternate selenoid (I love having a parts bike) was open in the un-activated state (as I recall,... but would never trust my memory, and didn't write it down). It was a bit challenging to get the old selenoid out and the new one in (required removing the rectifier to get at the bolts holding the selenoid; all scrunched under the tank and in between the frame tubes. Took a while, but when I was all done the starter turned everytime without fail. Only problem was: now the bike didn't fire over. Spark?...okay. Gas? Horizontal wet, vertical dry. Check throttle cables. The vertical carb's cable had pulled out of the carb body, so I was flooding that cylinder, while having carbs that were very out of sync. Popped cable back in. Bike started, and after a short time to get the cylinder fuel levels balanced, ran like the sweetie it is. It is now back in the rotation for commuting, except for this week.
 
I'm riding the 900 every day, because next week it is going to Craig Hanson (Hanson Racing Technology), so he can work the same magic he did to the 650 motor (primarily tear down and rebuild, making sure everything is the best it can be; while grinding out the ports a bit and fine-timing cams and setting squish bands). I'm looking forward to another easy starting, smooth running and bullet-proof motor to start the new year with.
 
Of course, this is the first of my preparations for next year's attempt at traveling around the country (Oakland to Laguna Seca MotoGP=8,000+ miles,...via Seattle, Conn.,Virgina, Texas, and many points inbetween).
 
See you soon
 
Kevin Kachadourian
'96 900SS SP
'85 650 Alazzurra