888 back on the road-what I found

**idb** · 4th April 2006, 08:49

Those of you that I met up with on the way to the Glenorchy rally this year will remember my erratic riding from Cromwell that I put down to bike problems - well it was true.

To re-cap, the bike would cut out if the revs dropped down below about 4000.
This only started happening after I had stripped all the bodywork off and washed it within an inch of its life, and also changed the fuel filter - red herrings as it has turned out.

Reading up on it, chatting on Ducati fora (sorry Hitcher) and, indeed, thinking about it I came to the conclusion that it was likely to be one of the bike's sensors that was breaking down.
There are, from memory, seven or nine sensors for air pressure, air temperature, crankshaft phase angle etc.

But then it later on developed a further fault where the battery ran flat while I was test riding it and left me stranded half way along the Devil's Staircase without a cellphone pushing a 200kg bike in leathers on a 25 degree day.

So I then decided to check the battery.
I checked the charging rate and found that it was only charging at about 12.5 volts.
I took the battery in to be checked but it was OK so I next decided to check the connectors over on the bike.

Apparently it is a known problem on these bikes that the wire gauge is too small and, combined with only having a single phase alternator (meaning a higher current), connectors can burn up.
I found a group of about 6 bullet connectors emerging from the regulator/rectifier unit that were showing signs of overheating so I cut them off and soldered the wires straight through.
I haven't checked the charging rate again but I took the bike for a 400km ride on Sunday and it went perfectly.

In fact, it has obviously been a developing problem since I bought the bike as whenever I went touring on it I found that after four or five days it would not have enough charge in the battery to start on the button.

So luckily it appears that the problem wasn't as big as I feared.

Why was it cutting out?
Well apparently, if the voltage falls too low the computer goes on holiday and everything shuts down.
My theory on why it was tied to the revs is that the alternator was able to supply enough voltage to run the bike but not enough to charge the battery because of the high resistance joint in the wiring.
As soon as the regulator cut the charge off to the battery when the revs dropped the battery did not have enough charge to maintain the load of the lights and ignition etc and it all stopped.

Yay, let the demerits begin again!

**kickingzebra** · 4th April 2006, 10:08

Glad shes going again for you. 888s are all good (its the number of god according to the book of revelation) do you think the solder will last the distance though?

**idb** · 4th April 2006, 12:37

Originally Posted by kickingzebra

Glad shes going again for you. 888s are all good (its the number of god according to the book of revelation) do you think the solder will last the distance though?

I didn't know that it was a holy number. I'm glad I didn't blaspheme too much at it.
The solder should be better than the connectors - if I've done it right that is!

**kickingzebra** · 4th April 2006, 12:40

Time will tell!! Good on you man!

**miSTa** · 4th April 2006, 12:53

Originally Posted by idb

Those of you that I met up with on the way to the Glenorchy rally this year will remember my erratic riding from Cromwell that I put down to bike problems - well it was true.

Erratic? That's a little mild, try crazy bordering on lunatic!

Good to hear you got it sorted.

**XTC** · 4th April 2006, 14:29

I've been considering a Ducati 851 or 888 as I think they are a beautiful machine and easier to find than an RC30. What are they like as a road bike?

**idb** · 4th April 2006, 15:03

Originally Posted by XTC

I've been considering a Ducati 851 or 888 as I think they are a beautiful machine and easier to find than an RC30. What are they like as a road bike?

They're not up to modern bike standards. I found that last year when on a ride on which I was left well behind by modern machinery.
Mine is the last of the 888s at 1994 so there is 12 years of technology between then and now but that's not why I bought it, like you I suspect.

They're not too uncomfortable on a trip. I've taken mine around the South Island twice and rode it home from Hamilton in two days.
Things do start to ache, mainly bum and right forearm, after 3/4 hour or so but it isn't too bad.

They are pretty sensitive to setup if you want to get around corners and aren't particularly quick steering but are as stable as when you are cranked over in a corner.
There isn't a steering damper but if you hit a bump at speed it just gives a wee shake and carries on no dramas.

I like it. It looks good in my opinion and goes well enough for me - except when I'm riding with those other buggers.
I bought it with 32,000 on the clock so unfortunately it is at the stage of needing some general maintenance but I can deal with most things myself.

**XTC** · 4th April 2006, 16:25

Thanks for that. I too am able to do all the work on my own bikes so owning an older european is not that daunting..... On saying that I do want to ride the bike sometimes not work on it all the time. From what you and others have said the 851/888 might be a good choice. I would keep the XT for commuting and Adventure duties. Last big road bike I owned was a VFR750, never had to touch that.

**Sniper** · 4th April 2006, 16:29

Good on ya idb. Nothing like a good bit of Kiwi inginuity

**idb** · 4th April 2006, 17:02

Originally Posted by XTC

Thanks for that. I too am able to do all the work on my own bikes so owning an older european is not that daunting..... On saying that I do want to ride the bike sometimes not work on it all the time. From what you and others have said the 851/888 might be a good choice. I would keep the XT for commuting and Adventure duties. Last big road bike I owned was a VFR750, never had to touch that.

Reading up on it before buying, it was either Mick Walker or Ian Falloon that said that the last of the 888s was the most fully sorted of them.
My personal view is that the facelift model (1993-94) is the better looking of them.
Also, the first of them known as the Tricolore is pretty dire and to be avoided.

**idb** · 4th April 2006, 17:07

Originally Posted by Sniper

Good on ya idb. Nothing like a good bit of Kiwi inginuity

Thanks, a bit muddly but I think I got there in the end.
Fingers crossed anyway - in fact I'm probably taking a risk being so optimistic in writing.

**Virago** · 4th April 2006, 20:58

Originally Posted by idb

I didn't know that it was a holy number. I'm glad I didn't blaspheme too much at it......

I seem to remember a few "carefully selected" words over lunch at The Post Office - perhaps you were overheard by the Ducati Gods.....

Glad to hear it's finally solved. Good luck avoiding the demerits!

**idb** · 20th October 2006, 08:26

Well........I think I need a whole forum to the Ducati adventures in the confines of my garage.

Except for the Brass Monkey, I hadn't been on the 888 at all over winter.
I noticed that the battery was running low over that weekend so it seemed that all of my problems weren't over.

I went for a ride to Dunedin a couple of weekends ago.
The bike cut out briefly on the way there but started up again before I rolled to a stop.
Then it stopped completely on the Motorway into Dunedin and I had to get a salvage from Otago Honda.

I left it in the shop overnight on a charger and had to re-assemble the thing on the shop floor while they were open for business the next morning.

I thought a bit about it overnight and remembered reading about how these bikes have a habit of frying their rectifier/regulator units so they can't re-charge the battery. I figured that was probably the problem and the shop guys suggested that as well.

I thought that, with a re-charged battery I would be able to get home OK.

But, the next day, it still wouldn't start!!

It turned over but wouldn't fire so I had to take it to bits again and start fiddling with the obvious stuff...checking fuses, relays, connectors etc.
I noticed that the fuel pump wasn't running when I turned the key. You can hear it pressurising as soon as you turn the ignition on normally.

Still nothing so, with no schematic on me I was reduced to forlornly wriggling and pushing and pulling stuff as you do when you really have no idea.

Finally, I disconnected and re-connected the fuel pump connector under the tank and voila!!!!

Away I went after ordering a new after-market rectifier/regulator unit from Otago Honda.

I fitted the new unit a couple of nights ago and put the voltmeter on it.
It is charging!!!!

I took a quick strop up to Glenorchy after work and home again and it seems perfect so we'll see.

So, it seems that I had several faults turn up at the same time.
I still gaven't fully sorted the connector under the tank yet but at least I know what it is now and I'll work through one issue at a time.

**Motu** · 20th October 2006, 09:21

Sounds exactly like the problem I had with the XLV750 in 2000 - I went through 3 alt stators.First stator I replaced showed 13,5 volts charge,not a lot but hey,it's a motorcycle eh? It was enough to cover lights and starting,no problem.Next time it failed one CDI charging coil went out,and the alt looked really hot,the resin was discoloured from when I put it in.Then I went off on a tangent wondering why my oil temp was 120 deg in the left case,and 85 deg on the right case.The next stator showed 13.5v too,so all normal,but it soon failed to...overheated again.

It was the regulator making the alt pump out maximim output,but was dumping to earth,only one coil giving charge.Sometimes it takes a while to pick up on the obvious....