Ducati Cucciolo

[pete]

And I also pulled out the cover for the left pedal crank and the pedal crank itself:



A bit of surface rust but both cleaned up ok and are definitely serviceable:



So from here, the hard bit will be getting the sprocket and bearings off the crank shaft and finding replacement bearings.

Once that's done, I need to decide if I'm going to just clean the cases or if I'll blast them or something.

At this point in time I'm thinking seriously about making a little blasting cabinet and giving some walnut shells a go. One of the guys over on DTT has done that to an old Bridgestone engine and it looks the goods. I think the wet blasting I got done to the 450 will look too "new" whereas the walnut shells should keep it looking its age but still clean it up nicely.

[razor02097]

Definitely don't want to lose the patina. Looks like you weren't left many spares what kind of sources are you going to use for the bearings and piston rings?

[pete]

Definitely don't want to lose the patina. Looks like you weren't left many spares what kind of sources are you going to use for the bearings and piston rings?

No not much spare at all... although I have two pedal cranks which is a little odd.

I think the rings might be ok and may not need replacing, and as for bearings there are apparently modern ones that fit.

The big things will be the ignition coil and drive sprocket but I think the coil will be easier...

[landshark]

I saw blasting cabinets on sale at supercheap the other day Pete.

[razor02097]

No not much spare at all... although I have two pedal cranks which is a little odd.

I think the rings might be ok and may not need replacing, and as for bearings there are apparently modern ones that fit.

The big things will be the ignition coil and drive sprocket but I think the coil will be easier...

The splines on that sprocket look strange. Hopefully you can find something that fits.

[pete]

I saw blasting cabinets on sale at supercheap the other day Pete.

Cheers Tim! Had a look online and they're listed at $199 on there which is a touch out of my range at the moment...

I was thinking I could make one up out of a big cheapo plastic storage box from a $2 shop for probably $50 or so including the blasting gun kit from Supercheap.

Given I'll be using walnut shells rather than sand it should be a little easier to seal up and if I add a PC fan or three I should be able to keep vision through the clear plastic top.

I could be dreaming but if I get the bits cheap enough it's worth a shot!

The splines on that sprocket look strange. Hopefully you can find something that fits.

Do you mean the drive sprocket that's definitely seen better days?



That's the only sprocket so far that's definitely shagged... and I mean shagged!

On the other hand, stay tuned and you'll see the carb should come up well with a good go of carb cleaner...

[pete]

Ok, pic's have uploaded... anyway first up I called the guy about the Malvern Star today and I have Wednesday off and I should be able to pick it up then. Can't wait to get it in the garage...

I'm giving the crankshaft to my house mate to take to the mechanic next to his work to see if he has any bright ideas on removing the sprocket and bearings as I can't see any way I'd be able to do it with the lack of tools I have.

And tonight I started on the last remaining bit to disassemble; the carb.





There's grit in everything as expected and the butterfly didn't really want to move at all, so it needs a huge clean and will definitely need the Yamalube carb cleaner treatment later on before it goes back together.

No rubber intake boots here, it's attached via a metal pipe:



And that's what passes for an intake filter... no foam or anything, just a perforated metal plate:



Bit grungy under there:



There's a good diagram for reference in the workshop manual which helps:



The float looks in good shape:



The screen on the float valve is clogged with crud and I haven't been able to get it off yet:



Here's the state of the mixture screw, and all the jets were in about the same condition:



Definitely need to get some more Yamalube carb cleaner!

Sat everything in container for the moment after a good go over with the kero, they can stay in there until it's time for the carb cleaner:



The kero clean and shooting some DWF down the butterfly shaft freed it up and it now opens and springs closed quite nicely which is a relief.

I'm getting really excited now... time to start properly cleaning up the cases and so forth and sourcing the few spare parts I need ready for reassembly.

[wally]

This is quite a huge undertaking! I am too scared to fix my cam tensioner leak and you tackle this!

[razor02097]

Wow that intake pipe looks like something you would find in a hardware store

[pete]

This is quite a huge undertaking! I am too scared to fix my cam tensioner leak and you tackle this!

Aaah it's not that bad Wally! I rebuilt my 450 from the ground up as my first ever attempt of something like that and now it's become a reliable daily rider plus a weekend fun machine, so this one's proving quite easy in comparison except for sourcing parts...

The cam chain tensioner will be a breeze

Wow that intake pipe looks like something you would find in a hardware store

Hahhaha it does indeed! Haven't seen any stamped Ducati before though...

[pete]

Picked the Malvern Star up today but unfortunately Photobucket is undertaking maintenance so I can't upload photos at the moment.

I found a serial number on it but research is indicating that may be useless as a lot of early Malvern Star records were destroyed in a fire.

As suspected the forks are not appropriate for the frame.

It's going to need some time put in as expected, steering head bearings look to be shot amongst other things.

I at least put some brackets up on the wall to hang it for the time being.

The house mate has the crankshaft and will enquire with the mechanic tomorrow hopefully.

[razor02097]

Can't wait to see some close up shots of the bike

[pete]

Nothing hugely spectacular in the way of photos as I didn't have much time but there it is:



The 'bars are sideways but I couldn't straighten them after loosening all the head stock bolts and nuts. WDF was needed just to loosen the bolt on top.

I've squirted more WDF down in there to try to loosen it all up.

Definitely a 2 star frame and you can see the top of the forks where there should be stars if they were genuine:



There's a serial number on the left side of the seat tube (you won't be able to read it in the photo):



And hanging on the wall to keep it out of the way:

[razor02097]

looks like a lot of work... It's going to look pretty sweet once it's all done

[pete]

Yeah it's gonna need some work alright! No more than the engine though...

When trying to loosen the 'bars I saw a ball or three missing from the steering bearings and the grease looked solid...