The impossible tech question...

[grandpa nate]

Ok here we go...

For about 3 months now I have been hearing what sounds like a bearing noise in my engine when the bike reaches about 210-220 deg.  Ducati says it is pulley noise but the shop has replaced the bearings and the noise is still there.  The techs also replaced the clutch bearing and inspected the trans.  The bike has about 8500 miles on it and is ridden kinda hard but is not abused.  All services are done to this point as well.

I figure this is the place to ask so any help would be appreciated.

[ducpainter]

From what I understand, when Ducati started using a sonic measurement for belt tension,belt pulley bearing noise increased as did failures.

If you're adventurous try the allen key method. I'm not familiar with the layout of the pulleys. If it is similar to the 1000 DS engine the allen key method doesn't work. If it is similar to the previous 2V engines like the 600-900s I'd give it a shot.

[ScottRNelson]

For about 3 months now I have been hearing what sounds like a bearing noise in my engine when the bike reaches about 210-220 deg.

I would suggest getting louder pipes, then you won't notice little noises like that.

I was warned when I bought my first Ducati that they make more noise than other motorcycles, and I've learned to ignore most of the sounds.  Wearing earplugs helps too.

If all of the clutch and belt bearings are good, just wear earplugs and ride the thing.

[grandpa nate]

Well the full termi system is not loud enough.  The open airbox is not loud enough.  The open clutch cover is not loud enough.  And none of my other Ducatis made this noise.   

[ScottRNelson]

Well the full termi system is not loud enough.  The open airbox is not loud enough.  The open clutch cover is not loud enough.  And none of my other Ducatis made this noise.   

But are you wearing earplugs? 


When you finally find out what is making the strange noise, please report back.  You might try posting something on the Desmo Times forum: http://ssnyder.proboards7.com/index.cgi? and see if LT Snyder recognizes the symptoms.  He has a lot of knowledge about stuff like that and is happy to help all Ducati owners with good advice.

[grandpa nate]

Thank you for the link.  It has been posted and all I can do now is wait (not one of my strong points).  Also I will taking her in (Sophia is the bikes name) to the shop at lunch today.  I will post anything I hear back.

[Speeddog]

I'd check the bearing in the left sidecover.

What engine are we talking about?

[grandpa nate]

07 S2R 1000

[J.P.]

Mine too- only notice it at idle, clutch in.
06S2R1k. Seems ok though.

[clubhousemotorsports]

The 1000ds motors when hot do make this noise, if the belt tension is high it makes it more . I would put money that the belt tensioner bearings are under a strain and probably dry.
I have seen this quite a bit and some do it with new bearings you might have the shop try a lower tension on the belts and see if it gets better. make sure that they  are not setting them at 140HZ as the bearings will fail. ducati was spec'ing the belts at that setting at first and we had a bunch of failures. now they are being set lower like 100-120HZ

[Smokescreen]

Thank you for the link.  It has been posted and all I can do now is wait (not one of my strong points).  Also I will taking her in (Sophia is the bikes name) to the shop at lunch today.  I will post anything I hear back.

I think I've pinpointed the problem here, are you taking it to a Ducati dealer for service?  It's not in the manual, but I've heard innumerable reports that taking Ducatis to Ducati dealers causes regular failures....  You might want to look into that?

[grandpa nate]

Welp I am going to try the not so tight belt idear.  Yesterday the techs said it was because I was riding in stop and go traffic and the belts were stretching and contracting.  Sounds kinda dumb to me but eh...

[clubhousemotorsports]

If you ever had a bearing failure  you know they can make a loud whine, My alternator on my pick-up was so loud you had to put the windows up. The tensioner bearings tend to moan in  on and off pattern, again when the bike gets quite warm.  have the tech check the belt tension with the DDS when it is making the noise, bet the tension is over 200HZ 

[ducpainter]

If you ever had a bearing failure  you know they can make a loud whine, My alternator on my pick-up was so loud you had to put the windows up. The tensioner bearings tend to moan in  on and off pattern, again when the bike gets quite warm.  have the tech check the belt tension with the DDS when it is making the noise, bet the tension is over 200HZ 

...think they;ll listen?

[grandpa nate]

Welp...just an update on "the noise".  My darlin Sophia (my bike not my wife) is getting her engine torn down by the shop to find the noise.  Now I know the techs have told me that "mechanically" the bike is fine and will not grenade, but I kinda figure the noise shouldn't be there so they need to make it go away.  Thankfully it is all covered under warranty.  That is all.