Starting Problems with Ducati MHR 900?

[jbird]

hi
took the old girl out, for some fresh air today, and was just wondering if you well knowledged gentlefolk, could give me any tips or procedures on starting the old girl. my present way is to put the taps on, flood the carbs (both), and then try kicking. the problem is that sometimes the kickstart will stop halfway dead, and if this happens, she becomes a right pig to start....any ideas???

and whilst im on the hunt for info, could anyone point me in the right direction of a good service person's too use down south (cambs area), mick walker's brother rick serviced it before and would like to get too someone closer, and lastly, what oil do you guys use...any recommendations.
many thanks for any info recieved.
cheers
jason

[vee twin]

To answer the first bit of your question the possible reason that the kickstart stops dead midway could be down to excess fuel entering the cyls.
Causing a compression lock. Not sure on the rest.

[James]

Hi Jason,

Having had two of these lovely bevels back in the early 80's (my '81 Hailwood Rep was UNM 271W... where are you now..??) I would have followed the exact same procedure as you up to the point where I actually kicked her over.

The best thing to do with any kick-start bike is to get the engine ready for action by gently turning it over until you get to Top Dead Centre. This is where one of the pistons is at the top of its cyclinder, and about to fire (doesn't matter which one). I suspect that this may be where you are getting to when half way through your kickstart 'stroke', which will make it very hard to get her to fire up.

So, my suggestion is to gently push down on the kick-start... let the engine roll around in its crankcases until you feel it really start to stiffen up. Then let the kick-start go back up to the top of its swing.... and then give it a big kick.

By being at the top of the stroke you'll get over the resistance quite easily and then have the rest of the swing of the kickstart to get the momentum going to turn the engine over.

This worked well for me and hopefully will help.

Regarding servicing... I know that Steve Hillary at MotoRapido (Winchester) will look after Bevel Drives, as will Baines of Silverstone. There's also Brancato Engineering in Chalgrove (nr. Oxford) who do a lot of Bevel Drive rebuilds and restorations.. I appreciate these may be a bit too far from home,but hopefully it's a start..!!

Bon chance with the starting, and let me know how you get on..!!!

James.

[jbird]

hi
thanks for the info, going to try that way out and see how it goes.

any more info/ideas gratefully recieved.

[Mr.R]

Hi,
Turn the fuel on, flood the carbs, don't press the tickler button up and down, but hold it down 'till the fuel runs out of the carb, then kick the bike over 2or3 times, then ease the piston up to compression....you'll feel the resistance, then turn on the ignition key, Don't touch the throttle! and give it a good kick...Like you meen it.....show her who's boss. The bike should then fire up. It's worked for me for nearly 28 years.
I used to do it by hand as a party trick! Just to show there was nothing to be afraid of to new owners.
If this doesn't work the carbs need setting up.
Brancatto's, Baines or Moto Mariana can do this. Not Moto Rapido...their 4 valve boys...Horses for course's. I'd take my own 851 to Steve at Moto Rapido to set up on a Dyno, But bevel owners come to me.
I'm not interested in other peoples bikes now but the guys i've mentioned above can sort you out.

Steve

[jbird]

you guys are worth your weight in gold, and that goes for this site too...
not only did i try the advice given, but bloody hell, it worked a treat. first bloody time. i cant thank you enough, this is a godsend to me, because if im honest, i have real trouble starting her, and it can be abit embarrasing, but not anymore.
im going to look into the guys you have suggested for a good service, and just make sure everything is ticky-de-boo. then maybe i can meet up with some of you guys, and show you how good your advice was.

AGAIN.....MANY THANKS

jason

[James]

Well done That Man..!!!