Minor pregnant dog-Ducati quality control on surfaces

[hillbillypolack]

I have to say that Ducati has come a long way in recent years with QC improvements.  Reliability, fuel injection, starting, etc.  Paint is even "nearly" bulletproof, and bugs just come off of the surface.

The complaint I have is the casting and paint quality on the engine surfaces.  On my S2R 1000, the castings are painted a mild metallic grey, but in some spots where the castings mate, the surfaces appear to be smeared butter.  At first, I thought this was some blob of gasket material, but it is indeed the castings, which are then painted.

In some areas, there are balls on the castings, almost as though a welder was close by before painting.  Of course, these cosmetics don't affect rideability, but I would have thought that the main castings would be one of the first to be improved.  The older bikes (my "old" 1996) has great castings, and many bevels do too.

Anyone else notice this, or am I a realy picky SOB?

[Popeye the Sailor]

but I would have thought that the main castings would be one of the first to be improved.

As castings age, they become less precise. If they know they're going to phase something out (I'm guessing the 1k motor is based on previous renditions), it's highly unlikely they'd bother to clean it up. Most likely the opposite. Not a quality issue per se so much as building it cleanly, so it's not worth the time/effort.

[teddy037.2]

my clutch-side cover is peeling, and the paint 'round my tank bubbled up.

still waiting for the warranty callback on that tank paint.   

goooooo paint!

[red baron]

The coating on the cases is some type of elastomeric coating, that allows them to apply it on thicker to make rough casting look smoother and do less finishing work. This coating is not a brittle as actual paint would be. Providing a coating that sticks and lasts longer.