Doing the 6K service on a 03 ST4s I picked up a couple of weeks ago (months?). Anyway, I'm un-experienced with the desmoquattro motor, and I'm just not sure if I'm looking at flaking, or just a burnished surface. Seriously thinking of sending the cams to MBP for polishing, although I do have a lathe in the garage (I'm unsure how to set it up/what to use to polish the cam myself).
I can only feel a small spot on one arm with a pick or my fingernail. I havn't pulled the closers as they look fine, save for a small grey spot (approx .5x1mm) on the exhaust horizontal. I can't feel anything on that one either, but I'm not able to get a good picture of it still in the bike. The grey patch/spot is where the cam would initially make contact, the rest of the place where the lobe would wipe looks/appears to be pristine.
Anyway, let me know what you think about the openers, and that closer if you can.
Pics:
Full shot:
Horizontal Intake Left and Right
Horizontal Exhaust Left and Right - burnishing, but nothing to catch a nail or pick on. Look like the rockers in the testa motors I've checked.
Vertical Exhaust Left and Right. - Note small chip on leading edge on right rocker = bad correct? I can't get a pick or nail to catch on it either, but sure looks like a chip to me?
Vertical Intake Left and Right - Best looking of the bunch
MBP polished the cams (others could too I suppose) as the surface of the cam isn't very smooth even from the factory.
You had MBP re-plated rockers flake on you?
Had MBP (Guy) redo my heads on my S4 (red). Good hp increase, same as 996 with pipes vs. 916. at service interval all my intakes needed to be redone after MBP replate. Used stock rockers from st4s when I did the engine upgrade.
I'm curious...did you contact him and let him know? Anything come of it?
I contacted him and let him know what happened and never heard back from him.
My thoughts on the work prior to this were that the increased valve adjustments would eventually pay for the head work but unfortunately that wasn't the case.
Megacycle rockers would be my only choice for replacements. I have a friend who also experienced flaking with MBP rockers, he switched to the Megacycle product.
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2003 HD FLHRI
2003 Ducati 999R #189
2009 Buell 1125CR (sold)
2007 Ducati 1100S MTS (sold)
2005 Honda 600RR (totalled)
2001 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1995 Ducati 916 (sold)
2004 Ducati 999S (sold)
2005 Honda 600RR (Oops, I did it again, this time in red/black - sold)
Megacycle rockers would be my only choice for replacements. I have a friend who also experienced flaking with MBP rockers, he switched to the Megacycle product.
Based on my experience with MBP I would stay as far away from them as I can. It is a lot of big words coming from them but very little action coming from MBP.
When they have receive your money the case is closed and you will never hear from them again.
MBP does not supply any aftermarkes support at all.
Jocke.......
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MHR 900 1984
851 Strada 1991 (now growing to 996)
S4 984 2002
Only a matter of time before they need replacing. Most still lokk OK, but as soon as you see that hard ridge edge developing or can feel the surface roughness with your fingernail, or see any definite ridge developing, I would replace them. I had MBP (Guy Martin, not the other company) replate mine and had no further issues, but also did not have a lot of miles on them when the bike was stolen, so a little early to report. You need to CALL Guy...he does not respond well to emails. Once on the line...very helpful, pleasant and knowledgeable, IMO.
__________________ Old Baldy / WWBO #451
Ducati 996
Kawasaki KLR 650 '02
Kawasaki KLR650 '06 OB's Blog
Rate my rockers please...
Linear Mode
