Broken Left Side Cover question
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:02 pm
Does anyone know from which actual aluminum alloy the 907ie/Paso side covers were cast?
Background: Yes, I was STUPID. My stator died an untimely death due to wear on the output cable at the engine case. I gathered a bunch of reference material, including downloads from this forum, concerning the process of pulling the left side cover. I even had a cardboard mask for the removed screws. Long story short, I missed the very short screw under the clutch slave cylinder after it’s removal. When I started pulling the cover and found it “sticking” I even went back and looked for missed screws. I was “aided” and “supervised” in this endeavor by my brother-in-law, whose primary skill in life is mooching off family and friends. Needless to say I was more focused on NOT screaming at him than what I was doing on the bike (solely to preserve peace with his sister/my spouse) and over-torqued the puller before finding the forgotten screw. Yes, even using the DesmoTimes correct, short-handled, cover puller you can put enough anger-fueled muscle on the cover to crack the hell out of it. Picture a large capital “F” starting near that screw and leading up into the “tail” of the cover. I’ll try to post pictures later.
Said covers are apparently platinum-plated, diamond-encrusted unobtanium. Several Ducati dealers and parts sources have openly chuckled at my queries concerning a replacement.
Anyway, I’ve also consulted with several welders, who despite estimates of $200-500, are hesitant to weld on AlMg or AlTi alloys without better info, hence my initial question.
Alternatively I am considering cleaning up the crack. With a dremel tool, providing as much “tooth as possible with fine bits, and doing careful buildup with JB Weld then recontouring and repainting the resultant cover. I would start with it screwed snuggly in place prior to the initial outer buildup, then removing the cover when the cracks are properly aligned/fixed to finish off the interior surfaces and edge.
Any advice or direction would be appreciated.
Background: Yes, I was STUPID. My stator died an untimely death due to wear on the output cable at the engine case. I gathered a bunch of reference material, including downloads from this forum, concerning the process of pulling the left side cover. I even had a cardboard mask for the removed screws. Long story short, I missed the very short screw under the clutch slave cylinder after it’s removal. When I started pulling the cover and found it “sticking” I even went back and looked for missed screws. I was “aided” and “supervised” in this endeavor by my brother-in-law, whose primary skill in life is mooching off family and friends. Needless to say I was more focused on NOT screaming at him than what I was doing on the bike (solely to preserve peace with his sister/my spouse) and over-torqued the puller before finding the forgotten screw. Yes, even using the DesmoTimes correct, short-handled, cover puller you can put enough anger-fueled muscle on the cover to crack the hell out of it. Picture a large capital “F” starting near that screw and leading up into the “tail” of the cover. I’ll try to post pictures later.
Said covers are apparently platinum-plated, diamond-encrusted unobtanium. Several Ducati dealers and parts sources have openly chuckled at my queries concerning a replacement.
Anyway, I’ve also consulted with several welders, who despite estimates of $200-500, are hesitant to weld on AlMg or AlTi alloys without better info, hence my initial question.
Alternatively I am considering cleaning up the crack. With a dremel tool, providing as much “tooth as possible with fine bits, and doing careful buildup with JB Weld then recontouring and repainting the resultant cover. I would start with it screwed snuggly in place prior to the initial outer buildup, then removing the cover when the cracks are properly aligned/fixed to finish off the interior surfaces and edge.
Any advice or direction would be appreciated.