Frame bracing, is it needed? - Ducati.ms

Bill T · Jan 12th, 2012, 9:40 pm

Hi,

As the first big snow fall of the year is here in Wisconsin, I have been looking at my Ducati to decide on my next group of modifications. This thread is my bike.
1994 900SS engine work completed

I have been trying to research if extra frame bracing is necessary to make the bike a better handler. From my preliminary study of the frame design, I have found areas where frame flex could be happening. But all frames will flex to a point, so is it a big of enough deal that it is worth fixing. So here are the questions. 1. Has any one added frame bracing, more than welding in some gussets? 2. The guys out there who are racing, are you befing up the frames?

I'm well aware of the cracking frame and aluminum swing arm problem. I also know about the Nicholis frame bolts that are used to stiffin the frame. The questions that I'm asking are over and above those problems and fixes.

Thanks,

Bill

Flash Harry · Jan 13th, 2012, 4:15 am

Gee Bill, I think you'll find it's a pretty stiff frame to start with and you'll have a hard time justifying any added bracing. Maybe the steering head region and I'm sure that if you looked hard enough you find space for another brace but, having a real reason to do it? I think you'll just be adding more weight.

My opinion anyway.

Baffled · Jan 13th, 2012, 6:17 am

All frames are built with a certain amount of flex in them,
Some manafacturers get it right & some dont,
l doubt if you could improve on the Ducati frame as it stands,

Put time & money into a set of light weight wheels instead,
That will do more for your handling than most other mods,
....

Joe-B · Jan 13th, 2012, 7:39 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Dwarf

All frames are built with a certain amount of flex in them,
Some manafacturers get it right & some dont,
l doubt if you could improve on the Ducati frame as it stands,

Put time & money into a set of light weight wheels instead,
That will do more for your handling than most other mods,
....

+1 for wheels. Do you ride it at the track? How often? Have you detected excess frame flex? I do a lot of track days on my 1997 SS/SP track bike and I've never noticed the frame lacking in stiffness...

Your wheels, brakes, shock and forks look awfully stock; that's where I'd put money if I wanted to improve handling!

spyvito · Jan 13th, 2012, 7:52 am

Remember, frame flex is engineered to provide suspension when leaned over in a turn where your shocks and forks are less effective.

Bill T · Jan 13th, 2012, 11:24 am

Hi,

Sounds good, these were the answers I was looking for. I thought the design was great until I heard some guys talk about how they wanted to stiffen the frame. They couldn't tell me why, so I figured I would ask a bigger group. I haven't rode my bike on a track yet, but I ride the heck out of it on the street.

Thanks so much for the replies, I think I will use the open machine time for finned valve covers instead!

Cheers,

Bill

rond944 · Jan 13th, 2012, 2:00 pm

I had mine braced when I had the cracks stitched up since it was apart and was going to have to be repainted anyway . If you're bored you could make some extra coin by dual plugging a couple of sets of heads for me and my friends

Ron

jwemmenhove · Jan 13th, 2012, 2:33 pm

I beg to differ; actually there is at least one place to strenghten the frame: just behind the steering head; add a cross beam to reduce the flex that causes the steering head to crack. The former "sport" type (you know with the Weber carbs did have this bar in the frame, but for the SS's it had to leave because of the air box I guess...)

For my Super3 project (SS with ST3 engine) I'm thinking on adding a beam diagonal in that box section to increase torsional strength. Have a look at a 4V frame (even an 851) and you'lll find more bracing and I assume it's for a reason. I'll even the added weight out by ditching the rear frame as it will be a track bike.

Just my 0.02....

Joe-B · Jan 13th, 2012, 2:47 pm

Did the '96-'98 bikes crack frames? Does the additional bracing at the steering head only eliminate frame cracking, or does it improve handling as well? OP mentioned that he wanted "to make the bike a better handler," and was "well aware of the cracking frame...problem." Just wondering.

jwemmenhove · Jan 13th, 2012, 2:51 pm

Here's a Pierobon TT frame that shows more clearly the cross bar behind the steering head.

Instead of this bar, you could add 2 bars in a V shape to the lower cross bar; that kind of similar to the 4V frames.

I agree that strenghtening the frame for every day riding is over the top, but on fast tracks (I rode Paul Ricard in France last summer) I felt not so inspired in very fast curves on less than perfect tarmac.