Silly question...

[WindyCityGT]

Ok, this is most likely a very dumb question, but it's been eating at me for a while now and I haven't been able to find a good answer for the life of me. Therefore, you fine people have to suffer with me and my ignorance and help me out...

On the left / stator side of the engine of my GT there is a small "plug" with an allen head fitting on the upper rear left of the engine case.

Yet on other sport classics (no matter the model or year) or any Ducati with the DS engine for that matter, there is a small glass "site glass". Is this just a random production quirk, typical with a maker known for their delightful quirkiness, or some sort of significant difference?

Unfortunately, I'm suffering from the "grass is always greener syndrome" and am jealous of you Sport Classic'ers with the fancy site glass.

I've thrown in a couple pics for reference, but I'm sure you already know what I'm rambling about.

... eagerly awaiting a response. I need a good night's sleep for once...

Thanks as always.

[MajorSoftie]

42

[Muschi]

this glass it to look at the flywheel, while
the engine is turning, you use a stroboskope
type of light to do it.
there are marks on the flywheel, for the upper
dead point(s) of both cylinders and iginition
point(s) for both cylinders also.
the stroboskope light is attached to your
igniton wires, and will blink with every spark,
and therewith "freeze" the motion so you
may check if it ignites at the right moment.

i am just wondering how your bike can live
without that ?

[GreyDuck]

Hmmmmm that's weird,I presumed all GT's had the sight glass(mines an 06)
My mate has the Biposto with no sight glass.
Another Ducati quirk.

[shivertown1]

Tardis entry point

[RossaGT]

A friend with a Monster 1000sie noticed that my GT didn't have the sight glass (like yours) a few weeks after I bought it. My bike was bought new out of the crate the past April, and though I don't know the production date, I'm assuming it's a later production one.

I believe it's a timing sight glass. On my later production engine the plug is removed and a tool is installed to sight the timing. Look at the newer 4 valve Duc motors- they have a plug rather than glass just like your bike (and mine).

So, it seems to be just a production change. None of the newer bikes seem to have the glass anymore, 2 valve or 4.

[Smiley_69]

I haven't got my bike with me at the moment - bit hard to take on the plane as hand luggage... I don't recall seeing the site glass ever so I guess I've got the plug too - which fits in with what the other folk are saying.

Thats obviously another 1lb of weight saved - so it must make it go faster...

[jcsport]

My bike was built in January this year and you are not alone as mine also has a plug. Must have been a cost cutting measure, glass is very expensive after all

[corks67]

darn, no sight glass on my 2007

[Muschi]

consider yourself lucky, from 2009 upwards they
come without wheels.