Flywheel / Alternator Tech

[Dukedesmo]

Originally Posted by 900Rebuilder

Yes they have said that this is quite a common request for them and saves me the hassle of getting into the engine too deeply although I'm now torn about fitting a lighter flywheel now I have the cover off

I'd definitely fit a lighter flywheel, in fact I did on both my Ducatis and it certainly livens them up.

Not sure about 900 i.e. engines but whilst the carbie engines need a flywheel as it carries the pickups, some of the early i.e. bikes (again 916 as an example) don't even need the flywheel. It is there simply as a weight bolted to the rotor part of the alternator with the timing coming from the gear, so you can completely remove it.

There is more than enough weight in the crank assembly of any of the Ducati v-twins IMO and especially the older variants.

[900Rebuilder]

Hmmmn not sure I'd be brave enough to try that and I didnt have a big enough or deep enough impact socket so I'm stuck at moment anyways

I can see your point though as I spotted the missing 2 teeth that you mentioned so I can imagine what you describe is entirely possible

[Luddite]

There's an old article by Shazaam on the subject of flywheel weight on Ducati.ms, which is an interesting read.

https://www.ducati.ms/threads/lightw...nd-cons.29734/

[Mark64]

Lighter flywheel = spin up faster and slow down faster, the engine braking effect is mega, like weighing anchor!