Ducati Cucciolo

[razor02097]

A crockpot with carb cleaner should get that head nice and clean. Just make sure you do your cooking outside

[pete]

A crockpot with carb cleaner should get that head nice and clean. Just make sure you do your cooking outside

Haha mate after the last time when I did my 450 carbs... well... yeah I gotta be a little more careful...

Let's just say simmering Yamalube carb cleaner in a sauce pan does not smell terribly nice...

I think at the moment I'll go the marine clean dip, degreaser, and see what some pressure washing does to start with and then go from there.

[razor02097]

POR 15 makes some really good products. I bet it will look great afterward!

[pete]

Ok Tim, something like what's in this thread would be fantastic:

http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=11486

And just found this on eBay (I might actually have a go at this if it stays cheap, although obviously not original wheels/tyres):

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130713345440&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_666wt_1185

There's also a Healing here:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/old-vintage-healing-bicycle-bsa-malvern-star-super-elliot-/130713942991?pt=AU_Sport_Cycling_Bikes&hash=item1e6f287bcf#ht_500wt_1202

[pete]

POR 15 makes some really good products. I bet it will look great afterward!

The do indeed! Have used a fair bit of that on the 450... Blackcote for the frame etc., Black Velvet for the crank cases, Marine Clean and Metal Ready for prep work, and their motorcycle tank kit to do the tank liner. Very happy with their products

[landshark]

Yeah, id definitely be having a go at the one on ebay. Its close and what ever is at the farm wont be in as good condition.
Plus it will have to get here.

[gremlin]

i would try just some strong dawn dishwashing soap and a good stiff brush, on the head. works good.

[pete]

Yeah, id definitely be having a go at the one on ebay. Its close and what ever is at the farm wont be in as good condition.
Plus it will have to get here.

Yeah I'm not sure at the moment... the wheels are new and the forks don't look like Malvern Star forks either... I'll see how the bidding goes closer to the end but it doesn't look quite as genuine as I thought initially... and it has no breaks or anything either although what can you expect for 99c bidding right?

That doesn't mean it's not worth a try though...

i would try just some strong dawn dishwashing soap and a good stiff brush, on the head. works good.

I'll give my Marine Clean bath a go first, I have a tub of it here still from the 450 rebuild. But a good stiff brush definitely is worth a shot!

[pete]

And I got the crankshaft out tonight! Woohoo!

Did a Google search and found another article discussing how to get them out, and turns out you don't need a bolt, just a thin rod to slide in there and a hammer to drift it out.

The only things I had thin enough were a round file and a small flat head screwdriver, so I started with it on its side and got it moving with the file, then used the screwdriver with the engine back in the stand to finish up.





And there it is:





The left hand bearing feels pretty smooth but I feel it's a bit worn, whereas the right hand bearing is absolutely shagged. It notches all the way around, not one bit of smoothness whatsoever, so I reckon both are up for replacement.

I gave the inside and outside of the empty case a bit of a clean and got the gasket remnants off and it's definitely much improved:

[razor02097]

Cases look like they are in good shape that's great news

[pete]

Cases look like they are in good shape that's great news

Yeah they do look pretty good.

So far the definite issues are the clutch lever pivot hole and pivot, ignition coil, and main bearings. So far so good on the rest but I haven't touched the carb or clutch yet...

[pete]

Started on pulling the clutch apart tonight but didn't get too far as I didn't have much time.

The key to removal is to get the spring compressed to relieve the pressure on the cir-clip that holds it all together, so grabbed a C clamp and went to work:



This is the cir-clip that's the key to it all:



Cir-clip pliers put to good use:



And tension relieved, ready to dismantle:



I only got as far as taking the sprocket with the clutch basket attached off:

[razor02097]

What material are the friction plates made from?

[pete]

What material are the friction plates made from?

Good question... but going by the spare ones that were lying around in the bottom of the crate they're all some sort of metal.

[razor02097]

Maybe plated steel? Not sure what they used for wet clutches in the 40's