Ducati 916 servicing
1994 to 1998 · 916cc Desmoquattro V-twin · Greenwich, London
Ray Petty Meccanica services and repairs the Ducati 916 (Strada, Biposto, SP, SPS and Senna, 1994 to 1998) at its independent Ducati workshop in Greenwich, London. The 916 is now three decades old, so alongside the cam belts and Desmo valve work, RPM checks the fuel, charging and clutch parts that buying guides list as its known weak spots.
About the 916
Shown at the Milan show in November 1993 and on sale in 1994, the 916 was designed by Massimo Tamburini's team at the Cagiva Research Centre around a steel trellis frame, a single-sided swingarm and under-seat exhausts. Its liquid-cooled, eight-valve Desmoquattro 90° V-twin was developed from the 888's, with the stroke lengthened to give 916cc (94 x 66mm), and it used Weber-Marelli fuel injection. The single-seat Strada came first and the two-seat Biposto followed. The SP and SPS were higher-spec homologation versions, the SPS using a 996cc engine, and Ducati built three limited runs of the Senna edition. The 996 replaced it for 1999.
Servicing your 916
The 916's camshafts are driven by toothed rubber belts, and specialist buying guides agree they should be changed at least every two years even if the bike has barely moved, because a snapped belt usually means a head or full engine rebuild. The Desmo service sets the clearances on both the opening and closing rockers. Beyond that, the 916's weak points are well recorded: the dry clutch wears its basket, the plastic fuel sender nut in the tank can crack and drip fuel onto the rear head, the alternator nut needs checking for tightness, and repeated starts on a weak battery can damage the starter's sprag clutch. Early engines can also weep oil from their base gaskets. RPM uses genuine Ducati and OEM parts on every job.
Book your 916 in
Tell us the mileage and what's due, and we'll arrange a date.
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Saturday: 10am to 5pm
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