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Ducati Cucciolo

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
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.
 
i would try just some strong dawn dishwashing soap and a good stiff brush, on the head. works good.
 
landshark said:
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.
Click to expand...

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...

gremlin said:
i would try just some strong dawn dishwashing soap and a good stiff brush, on the head. works good.
Click to expand...

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!
 
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.

IMG_5040.jpg


IMG_5039.jpg


And there it is:

IMG_5044.jpg


IMG_5047.jpg


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:

IMG_5048.jpg


IMG_5049.jpg
 
razor02097 said:
Cases look like they are in good shape that's great news
Click to expand...

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...
 
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:

IMG_5052.jpg


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

IMG_5053.jpg


Cir-clip pliers put to good use:

IMG_5054.jpg


And tension relieved, ready to dismantle:

IMG_5055.jpg


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

IMG_5058.jpg
 
Maybe plated steel? Not sure what they used for wet clutches in the 40's
 
razor02097 said:
Maybe plated steel? Not sure what they used for wet clutches in the 40's
Click to expand...

Yeah it's probably hiding on the mailing list somewhere if I look for it.

Oh, and the oiling on this is interesting... it's a splash system! You may have noticed there's no such thing as an oil pump and no sump as such, so you fill it to just below the filler hole and the rotation of the gears splashes oil around to keep things oily...
 
pete said:
Back into it tonight, and I got as far as splitting the cases.

Sorry for the horrid photos, but I had to deal with some dodgy screws and I'll be replacing them all before putting it back together:

IMG_4873.jpg


IMG_4874.jpg


Stuck all the screws in some cardboard so I know where they belong, although as it turns out all but two are identical:

IMG_4875.jpg


And I have no idea why but these two have a raised head and two perpendicular holes going through them:

IMG_4876.jpg


And the case cover taken off the left side:

IMG_4880.jpg


IMG_4881.jpg


And no caged roller bearings here!

IMG_4882.jpg


IMG_4883.jpg


Got those rollers cleaned up and in some engine oil to preserve them until they need to go back in:

IMG_4884.jpg


Next I need to delve into the workshop manual and work out how to proceed from here without damaging anything.
Click to expand...

I'd guess those two screws with the perpendicular holes use mechanic's wire to lock them in place....
 
It won't have the zippy responce of the 450 when you "twisty da throttle" but fuel econmy should be great. The nostalgia factor, antique, and rareness are top notch. Nice tear down. I'm subscribed and looking forward to the build and first run!
 
surviverguy said:
I'd guess those two screws with the perpendicular holes use mechanic's wire to lock them in place....
Click to expand...

Yep....safety wire. Twist them so they are both pulling clockwise (tightening) against each other. It will look more like a race bike!
:D
 
surviverguy said:
I'd guess those two screws with the perpendicular holes use mechanic's wire to lock them in place....
Click to expand...

Thanks for reminding me! I'd completely forgot about them but I found the answer!

They're actually where the Ducati factory threaded some wire through with a seal so they could see if anyone had tampered with it during the warranty period.

Wonder if I can find what the seal looked like for when it's back together? Now that would be an "authentic" touch! haha

surviverguy said:
It won't have the zippy responce of the 450 when you "twisty da throttle" but fuel econmy should be great. The nostalgia factor, antique, and rareness are top notch. Nice tear down. I'm subscribed and looking forward to the build and first run!
Click to expand...

Cool... it's certainly a whole different world to the 450... and yeah I certainly expect to see some good economy out of it ;)

Mark Harrop said:
Yep....safety wire. Twist them so they are both pulling clockwise (tightening) against each other. It will look more like a race bike!
:D
Click to expand...

Hahahahhaha you know they did make race bikes with this engine... now that'd be scary! Haha
 
pete said:
They're actually where the Ducati factory threaded some wire through with a seal so they could see if anyone had tampered with it during the warranty period.

Wonder if I can find what the seal looked like for when it's back together? Now that would be an "authentic" touch! haha
Click to expand...
Similar to this with a Ducati stamp on it I suspect?
http://www.seals.com/info-wire-seals-lws.asp
 
That's a very modern looking frame. I wouldn't have guessed that it was from the forties. Don't forget to get some brakes! You're gonna need good stopping power with all the "get up and go" you're building. What color will it become? Where will the stripes go?
 
surviverguy said:
That's a very modern looking frame. I wouldn't have guessed that it was from the forties. Don't forget to get some brakes! You're gonna need good stopping power with all the "get up and go" you're building. What color will it become? Where will the stripes go?
Click to expand...

Yeah apparently that's how Malvern Star did it back then... not as flamboyant as an Italian frame of the same era that's for sure!

From what I can see around the traps, the frame looks like it will be genuine '40's but I'm questioning the forks as I believe they should have an embossed star at the top of each leg like on the headstock. Wheels/hubs/pedals are definitely modern, not sure about the handlebars.

And yes, will definitely need some brakes! 40mph top speed... hahaha

No idea on colour yet but if they had no stripes post WWII then she ain't gettin' stripes... this one's going to be as "authentic" as I can get...
 
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