FLOOR B-16


Ducati907I.E.Troubles & Maintenances

I had owned it 3 years. I will report which troubles occurred.

Serious cases


No! How can I ride without shifting?

May 1993, at national route 23. I had ridden it side of traffic jam.
it was about 30km/h, suddenly a car turned toward me without flasher.
I couldn't avoid it and car touched to my 907. I didn't fell down,
but shift-lever, cowls, silencer was damaged. I bought 907 two weeks
ago! Terrible!! I made driver pay almost about it.


Photo by H. Shigehara
Ouch! It's fixing here! Somebody bring me water!

September 1993, I and my friend went to Mt.Fuji. Around 2300m's
height, it was traffic jam to enter the parking. Some rider said
"You, something are flowing!" When I look below, I saw lots of
green water from my 907. It was coolant and almost lost.
From all of coolant connections, it was spouted out to cowlings.
Fortunately friend had water for coffee and gave me. I poured it into
reserve tank and ran carefully. Shop inspected my 907I.E..There is a
bulb on reserve tank. It release vapor when water temp. or pressure gets
higher. But it didn't work. I had to wait 2 month for ordering that bulb.
I was so frustrated.

Photo by H. Shigehara
I'm pouring water into tank. To avoid be scratched on cowling,
they are on the grass. Shoot!

Oh my Buddha. Trouble again.

December 1993, on the parking. A SUV(Mitsubishi Pajero) backed toward my
907. The Driver didn't know my 907 was there, and touched by SUV.
My 907 fell down. Cowlings, Mirror, Silencer and meter-cluster ware
damaged. It took 3 month to order the parts. I made driver pay about it.
Once Ducati damaged, it take 2-3 month to fix it. If it's major Ducati
like 900SS, parts must be stocked well.

1994, sometimes fuel percolation occurred. I tried many ways to fix it,
but I couldn't fix completely. They say it's is a error of tank.
907I.E. has electric injection system, and there is a place to get gas
and there is a place to return the gas from injector.
Problem is that these places are so near. Once percolation occurs,
percolated gas return and it is pumped up to injector soon.
To prevent this phenomenon, change the route of returning pipe in the
tank. They say it is not so hard. About more information, please
E-mail me.

Small troubles & Maintenances

April 1993, Oil-out indicator blinks in the rain. I couldn't fix it,
but I knew these electrical troubles occur often. I did nothing,
Someday It went out.

September 1993, spike stuck on rear tire. it was 5cm(2 inch) length.
I fixed it at gas station. 2500yen.

July 1994, fuse has blown every time I twist driving key. I changed 15A's
one to 50A, but same. I suspected there was leakage of electricity,
and bought a small meter with leakage checker.
Tracing by electrical chart, I found a cause was horn. If horn is damaged,
907's flasher, light, clock and other additional equipments are down.
It's unbelievable for me. Who designed?
I ordered horn for Honda. Because it won't be broken and cheap.

October 1994, cable for speed meter broke. 3300yen.

December 1994, I changed tires. From MICHELIN 59X to Pirelli Dragon-GT.
These tires don't have any grips when they are cold, sometimes I did
so fearful experiences. This brand doesn't fit for me, I thought.

January 1995, I changed clutch. Shop could find used, but good condition's
one, I bought it. It took 20,000yen including wages.

April 1995, car inspection. In Japan, motorcycles over 250cc must be
inspected once 2 years. I changed brake pads, timing belt, air-cleaner
element and etc. It took about 150,000yen including insurance.

Other maintenances

I exchanged motor oil every 3000-4000km. Usually, I use Castrol RS.
I know Motul 300V is better, but it's expensive for me.
it took 2.7l. at once.

We always should tighten every bolts. I was recommended to tighten
them every 1000km. Even in a long touring, I did it.
However, bolts are getting loosing.
Especially, underframe's bolts. It look so tight, But I was so surprised
when I found I lost 3bolts of 8. I heard one Ducati dropped a engine,
i can't believe it at that time, but now I can believe it easily.
Of course troubles occur when we don't do enough maintenances.
Once I couldn't use rear brake, I saw brake lever to know why,
I found one bolt is almost coming out and obstructed lever.
And, coolant connections, drive-belt cover and crank case are
easy to be loosen.


What's Ducati 907 I.E.?
History of Ducati 907I.E.
Bodywork of Ducati 907 I.E.
Motoring of Ducati 907I.E.
907I.E. Personal photo gallery
Topics of 907I.E.
Spec of Ducati 907I.E.
My bike life
Summary about Ducati907I.E.

Ducati 907I.E. Memorial Photo Museum Homepage
Kodama Propulsion Laboratory

Copyright 1996-2013 Ryo kodama
Updated at Jan. 30,2000