We'd like to share with you our newest project. This is the Commonwealth 848 race bike for 2009. I'll be posting progress here so feel free to follow along and to ask any questions you can think of.
First let's look at the difference between the old collet keeper and the current collet keeper. Notice the shoulder height and edge difference.
Here is the reason for it - look how close the cam lobe is. This isn't the closest, but you get the idea.
A comparison of the desmosedici tool (top/black) and the 749S (all models with tapered shim keepers actually) tool. The desmosedici tool is modified for 7mm valve. Used here with MBP keepers on opening shim. See Ducati Mike if you want to get fancy, EMS.
The tool in action.
Next the OEM right hand side main bearing (which should be replaced).
Is that shoulder the only difference in the shims? Are they about the same height and available in about the same range of thicknesses?
You should change the stock primary side main bearing? Why?
Who did the actual crank work? Mark? Wow, nice. I had Ben Fox do mine but it took him a real long while... We'll see how it works here shortly.
Is that used piston the stock one? Pop up?
Those case halves sure are cleaner than the old ones. Very nice. I really want an 848, but not if I have to change the main bearings right away The whole point of buying a new Ducati for me would be to stop working on them more than I ride them
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'01 996 (ASMA #17, rebuild complete, runs, needs more stuff as it goes with Ducatis)
'01 MV F4S
'02 998 www.asmaracing.com www.desmosouthwest.com
Is that shoulder the only difference in the shims? Are they about the same height and available in about the same range of thicknesses?
You should change the stock primary side main bearing? Why?
Who did the actual crank work? Mark? Wow, nice. I had Ben Fox do mine but it took him a real long while... We'll see how it works here shortly.
Is that used piston the stock one? Pop up?
Those case halves sure are cleaner than the old ones. Very nice. I really want an 848, but not if I have to change the main bearings right away The whole point of buying a new Ducati for me would be to stop working on them more than I ride them
The shoulder and radius are the diff. They come in the same sizes, except if they come from EMS, then they are availiable in 1/2 sizes.
Change is need because the stock is -----. (Ducati may viewing this note).
Mark took 20 min and it cost $1.25.
The used piston was as new taken from the bike after 2 miles and some dyno mapping to establish a base-line.
I was asking about a "pop-up" piston. I wasn't aware Ducati was doing that now, I thought they were still using flat topped pistons with small valve reliefs on stock stuff.
__________________
'01 996 (ASMA #17, rebuild complete, runs, needs more stuff as it goes with Ducatis)
'01 MV F4S
'02 998 www.asmaracing.com www.desmosouthwest.com
Just an update on the status of this build. Gary and Ed finished up the motor... specs are in the original post, with the addition of a Yoyodyne slipper clutch. Mostly this update is about chassis modifications. We've started assembly and here is a quick list of the updates. For suspension we've got Ohlins TTX rear shock setup for the Sato ride height adjuster and Kyle racing link, Ohlins 25mm cartridge kit installed in the stock Showa forks by Thermosman Suspensions, Ohlins steering damper with Kyle mount and finally Kyle 30mm offset triple clamps. We've also added the Woodcraft rear sets and clip ons and the Yoyodyne rear subframe by motorholders. We've started on the gearing with the Yoyodyne quick change setup... still need to install the DID chain though.
Has it been run yet? I'm curious to see the output, spread and curves. Oh...did you do a baseline stock run?
What fuel and oil are you using?
What exhaust system? ECU? Airbox, filter & tubes? Mods to electrical?
Did you change any gears or gearbox parts?
Curious about your front suspension. Couldn't you have found a nice used RT and added UES for about the same money? Since you did triples in your upgrade this would have made sense and should have netted you a better front end.
Who ever asked why change the main bearings on the right side (I changed both sides) here is a short explaination. The stock main is a 7 ball unit while the 999 type is a 10 ball part. The quality and price for the 999 bearing is higher. Some 848's starting with Larry Pegram's FX motors have had issues with the stock bearings in high stress applications. That doesn't mean a basically standard 848 will ever suffer any problems, but race engines are expensive, bearings are not that expensive, engine problems are expensive, get the picture...
My race 848 is several steps more radical than this one thus I am very curious to see how this one turns out. Getting a little more out of them from this point can cost significantly more money IMO. As far as this build up goes to date I completely agree - crank, bearings, H beams, pistons (I went a different route with custom CE's) porting, MBP's, slipper and so on.
This looks like a nice quality build up.
__________________ 848RS, M1100S (soon) GP SuperTwins Champion 2007 & 2008
Nothing is more satisfying than passing V4 Honda riders & Trolls!
Has it been run yet? I'm curious to see the output, spread and curves. Oh...did you do a baseline stock run?
Hasn't been run yet - it's getting drilled for safety wire and the exhaust just got put on this week. We do have a baseline run for comparison once completed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ducati23
What fuel and oil are you using?
No clue - it has neither right now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ducati23
What exhaust system? ECU? Airbox, filter & tubes? Mods to electrical?
Exhaust is Termi, air box stock, air filter from Ducati. ECU is nemesis (not installed yet - it is still sitting on my desk).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ducati23
Did you change any gears or gearbox parts?
No.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ducati23
Curious about your front suspension. Couldn't you have found a nice used RT and added UES for about the same money? Since you did triples in your upgrade this would have made sense and should have netted you a better front end.
I don't know the answer to that as I had no part of the suspension - maybe Ed will chime in here and answer that if he sees this.
We have to keep the stock fork tubes to be legal, and the Showa with 25mm internals work better than the Olins with the 25mm internals. Mike Fitzgerald built the forks. The cost was a trade.
The gas is a spec gas and I forget what it is, I think Sunoco 95 but I'm not sure. We have not tuned the bike yet so it has not been a concern.
The injectors are being flow tested and matched (if Dougs on time), that will be done this week, and we will finish putting the bike together. We still don't have body work, it was suposed to be here yesterday, but it will be another 3 weeks.
Project 848 Race Bike
The whole point of buying a new Ducati for me would be to stop working on them more than I ride them 
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