Took the plunge into 916 ownership

**Ian900SLV** · 06 Sep 08, 08:00 AM

With some good advise from Laz, I have sold my Superlight 5 and finaly got my dream bike. A 1995 916 SP now takes it's place in the garage.
Rode her back yesterday (In the rain!!!!!!) and I just can't believe how refined she feels compared to the old aircooled 2V SL. Took it very very steady ( 1st ride and wet roads and all that) but she feels so sure footed I am hooked.
Couple of quick questions.
What size are the Torx head screws on the fairing side panels, they look very small? and I need to remove the panel to fit my optimate lead.
The clock is in KMH, anybody point me in the direction of an overlay or MPH transfers so I can at least glance down and have an idea on how fast I am going????

Cheers

Ian

**petevtwin650** · 06 Sep 08, 08:08 AM

Good choice Ian, I'm sure you'll have years of enjoyable ownership. Maybe tinged with a bit of frustration.

With regards to the Torx bolts, haven't you got Dzus faterners on the upper fairing panel? Undo those and the whole panel comes off. But if you want to undo those or the fairing torx there is a small tool that comes up on ebay very often that does the job perfectly.

**Ian900SLV** · 06 Sep 08, 08:16 AM

Thanks for the reply Pete, yes it does have Dzus fasteners on the top edge, didn't realise that the whole panel came off like that.
Anybody got a link for a factory manual for a 916, had one for the SL and it was very useful.

**petevtwin650** · 06 Sep 08, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian900SLV

Thanks for the reply Pete, yes it does have Dzus fasteners on the top edge, didn't realise that the whole panel came off like that.
Anybody got a link for a factory manual for a 916, had one for the SL and it was very useful.

There are also two Dzuz fasteners underneath. The secret is to undo those first, then release the lowest one and the two front ones. The panel is then held by the last Dzus , makes it a bit easier.

**Jimmy996** · 06 Sep 08, 08:46 AM

My bike had KMH clock, just took it off bundled it with all the previous owners paperwork in a draw and bought a new MPH one with 0 miles off ebay (i think mine was about £30)

I didn't want to stare at a sticker or blobs of tipp ex on my clocks!

Very easy job to do and lets be honest as long as you have all the paperwork backing up the mileage nobody is going to complain if (and that's a big if!) you ever sell it!

I also find the Haynes helpful for little DIY jobs (like removing the headlamp to demist!!

)

Enjoy! although regarding your comment about refinement I have to say that I find Naomis Superlight far more refined and easy to ride than my 996s!!

**Desmo Dave** · 06 Sep 08, 10:54 AM

Congratulations Ian. Did you buy the one PS performance had in the classifieds?

**moto748** · 06 Sep 08, 10:59 AM

That is a very special motorcycle.

And a very expensive one when it came out!

Do keep on top of the charging system, which is weak point on those early 916s, and get a Haynes manual.

**mcr998** · 06 Sep 08, 11:02 AM

Good choice Ian. Yes the ride is more refned than the SS/SL though I find still I can corner harder and faster on my SS than on my SPS.

**Michael D** · 06 Sep 08, 01:17 PM

Parts catalogues go back to 2000 here,your 916 will be very similar to a 996 in construction...you can see which bits go where.:-
Ducati.com

**Ian900SLV** · 06 Sep 08, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desmo Dave

Congratulations Ian. Did you buy the one PS performance had in the classifieds?

Yes Dave, thats the one. It was only 6 miles down the road from where I live and I responded to a wanted ad in the classifieds for an SL and it all seemed to fall into place after that.
Now I have the bike at home and started to give her a clean she is in beautiful condition with just the normal stone chips that come with age.
The only minor fault is that the clutch slave was leaked at some time and taken off some off the LHS case paint.
The guys at PS performance are top notch, they have a collection of lovely cars and bikes and the boss man is a Ducati nut, I would recommend them to anyone.

What precautions should I be taking with the charge system, it has a new battery and I have just fitted my optimate lead to keep it topped up, anything else I should be doing.

Thanks for the help and comments

Ian

**moto748** · 06 Sep 08, 02:21 PM

Keep a close watch on the wiring to the rectifier, especially the two yellow wires from the alternator, and their connector blocks. Remove the battery and its tray and it's easy to see.

**Michael D** · 06 Sep 08, 02:37 PM

Fit a voltmeter,it will let you know if the reg/rec is on its way out before it fries the battery and leaves you stranded.
EMV 1200 | Panel Instruments

**Nuttynick** · 06 Sep 08, 07:06 PM

Nce buy! So Ian, when are you starting up the East Midlands club.....Splitter!!!! (Sorry it's an old LC Club thing

)

**Ian900SLV** · 06 Sep 08, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuttynick

Nce buy! So Ian, when are you starting up the East Midlands club.....Splitter!!!! (Sorry it's an old LC Club thing

)

LOL you would be welcome in it anytime Nick, You missing your old hybrid yet then mate? or are dukes still floating your boat for the time being

**MarkG** · 07 Sep 08, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcr998

Good choice Ian. Yes the ride is more refned than the SS/SL though I find still I can corner harder and faster on my SS than on my SPS.

Ian, congrats on getting a fine and unique bike.

I've had my 955sp for several months now, and am probably still faster on my SS on corner speed. But the gap has closed alot.

Be sure to check out the wiring from the stator to the rectifier. I just replaced the rectifier/regulator, and the stator was marginal too, so that's next. The stator measure .5 Ohms, (spec. is .2 to .4). More importantly, the regulated output dropped as the revs increase.

As you probably know by now, the charging system is the major weak link on the older desmoquattros, so check it over carefully. The Haynes manual covers it very well.

Have fun.