[Ducati] update on the SS

[Kris Kapp]

First news item - I changed my list subscription from hotmail. Several posts
from people on the list that were trying to help me out were going into my
junk folder so I changed to gmail. If I didn't return any individual
messages, I apologize.

Second news item - The bike runs! I was able to load it up in my truck the
next weekend and get it back to my place. I have a little space that is
isolated in the buildings garage that I can use to work on the bike. It took
only two weeks to get a drainplug from the states. Before putting any oil in
it, I pulled the oil screen and found a couple different types of deposits.
Some small black pieces and some shiny shavings. Here are some pictures.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/spudk/os01.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/spudk/os02.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/spudk/os03.jpg

After replacing the drainplug and adding oil, I started the bike and it
fired up. The clutch and staintunes are so loud I couldn't really hear
anything abnormal while in the confines of the underground garage. I did set
off some car alarms though. I cut the engine fairly quickly.

I know from the shavings that something isn't right but my plan is to run
the bike for a 10 or so minutes, enough to heat up the oil, drain it, add
new oil, run the bike some more, drain that oil and replace the filter, and
then ride it to see how it feels under load. Any suggestions?

One of the guys I work with saw me looking through the repair manual in the
elevator was nice enough to offer the use of his in-laws garage while they
are away. So I have a place I can work on the bike. What do you think I
should do with it? Ride it until it breaks, or go ahead and start tearing
into the engine? I know I am going to post some stupid questions so please
bear with me.

_Kris

Oh, here are a couple pics from the last ride.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/spudk/river02b.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/spudk/trees.jpg