I'd first off like to thank everyone who was concerned about the welfare of my bike. I couldn't make it to the track in my car this weekend because of some technical problems I encountered on Friday nite with some upgrades I was doing. But I couldn't stay away, I needed to see the track after looking at it on the site(man, wish I coulda drove it) so I figured I'd pull the Duc out and dust it off. Well needless to say my short trip to the track was to be filled with trouble, on the way it mysteriously stumbled, but refired imediatly probably not too uncommon for the finicky Italian piece that she is. I got to the track and enjoyed the comraderie of my fellow racers. Upon deciding I had enough of watching other people have fun decided to have some myself, and continue my ride. Low and behold the mighty Duc wouldnt start, to my sorrow and the valiant efforts of some friendly cage drivers (thats what we bikers call car drivers). She was down for the count, made the dreaded phone call and was rescued by my ever faithfull wife. Took my Ducati to the Duc Doctor, I was informed it was not terminal and she could be brought back to life for a measly $250.00 (#$%%$#@ expensive Italian machinery) but all is well again. Thanks Gerald and the guy in the honda who lent me his tools and his time. As we say in the biking world, keep the rubber side down (probably works for cars too) and when in doubt GAS IT.. I'll be in my cage for the next one. c-u all then. Marty

Marty, what was wrong with the bike? I used to wrench for a team taht raced Duc's in CCS. We had 3 748r's and 1 996 Corsa bike (used to be John Reynolds British Superbike ride. It is scary fast with over 180 hp.) I love those bikes. What do you have?

99 748S It happened to be the fuel relay, when it goes out it shorts to ground and will not let the ignition fire. at the track I was chasing the no spark. found out later it was the fuel relay. I used to race for team pearls factory suzuki ride 91,92,93 natl endurance champ with wera. The team prior to getting the suzuki sponsor was named swine dudes. I think we had a bigger following with the old name as I think people could relate to it, (wife says bikers are all pigs anyway). Hope to see ya around. Thanks, Marty

I'm glad everything was OK...
$250 for a relay? How much was the relay by itself?

Sorry...


You think you'll be going to Indian River next weekend (5/22+5/23)?

actually they had a used relay and didnt charge me for parts just diagnostic time. darn 70.00 an hour. It took them a while to find iteven the diagnostic computer only had low battery as a code thrown, thats cause I was cranking it so much when trying to figure it out at the track. oh well just happy to be ridin again

Welcome to the world of the Ducatisti. Just like Ferrari, they assume that if you can afford to buy their bike, you can afford the OUTRAGEOUS prices to fix it. God forbid you have a MAJOR problem like the breaking, lose on of the teath, or even have too much slack in one of the belts that make the Desmodromic valve system work. They are "interferance" engines. Valves go crashing into the pistons and all hell breaks loose. If that happens you are looking at a new engine. Not worth the money to rebuild the crashed one.