Could have been worse...

[BikerBard]

I finally got the chance to enjoy riding my Paso to work every day for over a week. Weather was great...bike running good...I was living it up until I stopped off at my hubby's work. We were heading home and the Paso started shuddering and shaking. My first thought was the clutch was going out or something, then it stopped and the bike seemed fine. I looked over at hubby when we were at the stop light and asked "what was that?!?" He shrugged and we continued on.

It happened again and I quickly looked for a place to pull over. Made it into a gas station and when I got off to look the bike over I was in shock. The bolts that hold the sprocket to the wheel had backed out and as they made their way out a deep channel was dug into the side of the swingarm. Only one bolt was holding the sprocket on, and it was loose!

We were able to limp her back to his work and a few days later I took off the rear wheel to get the bolts back in and got a good look at the damage. It's bad. the groove went through the box of the swingarm and just bit through the boxed part.

Sooo....now the search begins for a new swing arm, but I keep telling myself it could have been worse. The rear wheel could have locked up and I'd be looking for alot more than just a swing arm.

:ugh: DG

[spaynenda]

Hey BikerBard,

Some time ago, I fitted new sprockets and chain, and changed my rear sprocket back to the factory type, but didn't use the proper thread locking fluid on the fixing bolts (I used Permatex Blue but should have used Red). They came loose similar to what you describe, but I was able to detect it before the condition went critical.

Aparently, simply torquing the bolts down is not enough. I don't know what the proper spec is, but if I were a betting man, I'd bet "Skins" knows.

Perhaps this was the cause of your problem. Seems as though you were rather fortunate, blessed or whatever.

[qldman36]

AAAHhh, memories. Back in the early 90s Ducati had production line problem. They used a metal lock nut versus nylon lock nut on rear sprockets. Seems they were having problem of not tightening enough to stay and lock nut not locking. Notifyed dealers to retourqe[sp] on predelivery and 1st service. I personnaly replaced i think 4 swingarms on 900ss and 1 851. Also my personal 907.
I am sure Ducati will not do you any good on this after all these years.
Carl

[Desmo_Demon]

I PM'ed you with a contact for a guy who I know has two swingarms that he is wanting to sell. Drop him a line and see if he still has them. You can probably get the swingarm welded up, too, so that is always an option. If you don't want to keep the original, I'll take it. It would be a great candidate for a mild extension for a 17" wheel conversion that I plan on doing.....some day. :lick:

If Paul can't help you, I know of another one that is for sale, too.

[Skins]

Sorry, I can't give Ducati torque figures - the Workshop Manual doesn't show them for the rear sprocket - but I'd guess 20 to 25 ft/lb would be enough. If anyone thinks that's wrong, please say so. I haven't had to remove the sprocket on my bike yet.

[Gwenadu]

"REVUE MOTO TECHNIQUE" hors série n°7; a french technical manual about Paso 750 & 906 (http://www.etai.fr) give 2.5 -2.8 m.Kg for the rear sprocket.
Alain.

[Skins]

Thanks, Alain. That's 18 to 20 ft/lbs for you Yanks, by the way.

[spaynenda]

You guys are amazing! The system works...thanks Mike.

[BikerBard]

They used a metal lock nut versus nylon lock nut on rear sprockets.

### Mine has the metal lock nuts. Are these a one time use only? Should I go to nylon lock nuts? (with a bit of threadloc)

DG

[qldman36]

Would definetely go with blue locktite preferably on nylon lock nuts. Don't believe they classified metal locknuts as one timers, but i would.
Carl