Lightweight Flywheel Generator Overheat ?

[Vdue]

I want to fit a light weight flywheel on my Hyper, however, I got the following message from my friendly:

My friendly just attended a mech workshop at Ducati, Bologna. Aparently the Duc folks warned to install light weight flywheel since it could create an overheating of the generator. Less flesh on the wheel means less heat absorbation by the wheel itself causing an overheating of the generator. That is the reason why Duc got their light weight flywheel off the '09 programm !?

Well, so far I understand the thermo dynamics, but I have not read in any form about such issues. Is there anybody around who experiences heat problems with a new flywheel?

[vapor]

Does an opened/vented clutch cover provide cooling to flywheel via the clutch assembly?

[jwsparkes]

Ummmmm, no! they're on opposite sides of the engine.

I do find it a bit hard to believe that a light weight flywheel could cause overheating of the generator though.

Sure, the stock has more thermal mass, but once it has heated up the surface area of stock versus a lighter version would not too different. The generator is bathed by engine oil and so cooling would be dependant on the surface area contacted by the engine oil.

[vapor]

Originally Posted by jwsparkes

Ummmmm, no! they're on opposite sides of the engine.

I do find it a bit hard to believe that a light weight flywheel could cause overheating of the generator though.

Sure, the stock has more thermal mass, but once it has heated up the surface area of stock versus a lighter version would not too different. The generator is bathed by engine oil and so cooling would be dependant on the surface area contacted by the engine oil.

oooooo I guess I was way off! Car nut thinking flywheel connects to the clutch etc.

[GHEZZI]

Originally Posted by vapor

oooooo I guess I was way off! Car nut thinking flywheel connects to the clutch etc.

I hope you don't lean the wrong way around corners too?

[Da_Bull]

Originally Posted by Vdue

I want to fit a light weight flywheel on my Hyper, however, I got the following message from my friendly:

My friendly just attended a mech workshop at Ducati, Bologna. Aparently the Duc folks warned to install light weight flywheel since it could create an overheating of the generator. Less flesh on the wheel means less heat absorbation by the wheel itself causing an overheating of the generator. That is the reason why Duc got their light weight flywheel off the '09 programm !?

Well, so far I understand the thermo dynamics, but I have not read in any form about such issues. Is there anybody around who experiences heat problems with a new flywheel?

I'm sorry, but I don't think so.

I will admit that I see the logic and will concede that this MAY happen but, c'mon, REALLY? The chance is so remote it borders on the impossible.

Light flywheels have been one of the most popular Ducati performance upgrades since FOREVER, and in all the research and footwork I've done on the subject I can't say that I've ever heard of anything like this ever happening ever. That's not to say it doesn't or hasn't, but the occurences are so few and far between that they're far from front page news.

[vapor]

Originally Posted by GHEZZI

I hope you don't lean the wrong way around corners too?

You lean on the outside of the bike on the outside of a turn, right?