Crashed my '14 Strada

empty · Sep 19, 2016

I messed up a left hand sweeper and went off the road. Broke my leg and insurance said the bike will be a write off. They haven't given me any numbers yet and I don't know if it's a financial or mechanical write off.
The bike must have tumbled b/c there's bits broken off on all sides and on top.
Frame and forks looks straight. No marks on engine. Everything damaged is just bolt on.
But there's something wrong with the transmission. Pivot bolt for the selector pedal looks like it's sheared or bent big time. Pedal bent right back. I disconnected the linkage to the gear selector shaft and tried to change gears using a pair of channel-loks on the gear selector shaft. Trying to get back to neutral. Couldn't change gears at all. Engine off, selector only moves a little bit but doesn't change gear up or down. Engine on, clutch in (even tightened clutch), it made a high pitch rubbing noise when we put pressure on the gear selector, but won't change gear. Clutch out the wheel starts to spin. ( Love the center stand)
The outside of the engine/transmission shows no damage. Gear selector shaft coming out of transmission didn't look like it touched anything. How much damage can jamming the gear shift pedal real hard do to the internals? Is it just bent shift forks or complete transmission rebuild?
Any idea on cost? Is it worth buying back from insurance?

Jokeshopbeard · Sep 19, 2016

Ah mate, absolutely gutting. I went back to using my Fireblade 2 weeks ago after having it in storage all year cause the Duc is so much more suited to the riding I do. It got the xmas tree dash/coil/ecu issue (thank **** Ducati have just let me know they'll cover parts cost in 'good faith' as warranty is out by 6 months).

So I pull the blade out, ride it for a week, and end up binning it in some bad weather after my last night shift a week after the Duc died. *******. Only onto a grass verge thankfully. I reckon the TCS would've saved my *** on the Duc. Luckily it was just cuts and bruises for both of us, and she and I are both almost fully healed.

But **** man, I feel your pain. I can't help on the technical side, gearboxes are a mystery to me, but I know how it feels when your baby gets written off due to engine damage - my last crash left the bike cosmetically not in bad shape, as yours seems to be, but it had a ******* huge hole in the side of the engine casing...

Game over.

kuksul08 · Sep 19, 2016

^Wow... talk about bad luck. At least your Hyper will be back on the road before long.

OP, I wouldn't worry about the shifting too much. The selector arm is a big long lever arm thing that will definitely bend before wrecking the transmission.

Also, refer to this thread: 821 - stuck shifter - Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum

It's most likely a simple fix. Sorry to hear about your bike.

toeslider · Sep 19, 2016

Always sorry to hear about a crash, but the main thing is that both you and the Bearded One are both all right. My last one? Dropping an Africa Twin as walking speed in Feb while wearing road boots. The pillion grab handles on the AT are shaped like axe-heads, and the right side one busted my ankle in three places. The AT was on my radar as a potential purchase before I ordered my 939 HS (which still hasn't reached Auckland BTW), but those ankle wreckers put me off. That, and the little fact that HS makes 18 more bhp and weighs 20kg less.... Meanwhile best wishes for the restoration of your rides to both you and The Jokeshopper.

krolinked · Sep 19, 2016

I'd be interested in the forks and triples if you decide to buy back and part out!

beef tits · Sep 19, 2016

Definitely worth buying back to part out if nothing else. If it's totaled I am sure you can buy it back for pennies on the dollar.

I'd buy that rear wheel off you if it's still in good shape. I made the mistake of trying to take mine off-road and now it's pretty scuffed up. Hell, I'd buy them both... tires and all depending on condition.

empty · Sep 19, 2016

Sorry to hear there's other in the same boat as me.

Insurance wrote off the bike without checking mechanical or engine. He just took lots of pictures all around the bike and turned the key to check mileage. So just the bolt on pieces and plastic already went over budget for them.
The engine fired up for me right away. No oil loss anywhere, coolant still intact.
If Kuksul right, the transmission maybe an easy fix.

I'll keep you guys posted when I hear back from insurance. There's already parts requests, so even if I decide not to rebuild maybe I'll take it back for you guys.

beef tits · Sep 19, 2016

Depending how you look at it that could be a good thing... If you can get it back road worthy with a few small fixes... then you just got yourself a cheap bike

empty · Sep 20, 2016

kuksul08 said:
^Wow... talk about bad luck. At least your Hyper will be back on the road before long.

OP, I wouldn't worry about the shifting too much. The selector arm is a big long lever arm thing that will definitely bend before wrecking the transmission.

Also, refer to this thread: 821 - stuck shifter - Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum

It's most likely a simple fix. Sorry to hear about your bike.

Hi Kuksul08,
Just read your write up on opening the side for starter motor replacement. Sounds straight forward.

I guess I can spot if the "big long lever arm" is bent or if springs are broken. But what about it being out of adjustment? Is that adjustment something I can check myself?

monocog007 · Sep 20, 2016

Yeah all you need for adjustment is a torque wrench. Potentially it broke the return spring as well, which is available from Ducati for ~$5.

Edit: I should note, a 5mm and 6mm socket on a torque wrench are what you'll need.

empty · Sep 21, 2016

monocog007 said:
Yeah all you need for adjustment is a torque wrench. Potentially it broke the return spring as well, which is available from Ducati for ~$5.

Edit: I should note, a 5mm and 6mm socket on a torque wrench are what you'll need.

Just read thru the "Refitting the gear selector lever" in the service manual. Looks pretty straight forward. And you guys are right. Any excess force should damage the gear selector lever or gear selector claw before it gets into the gear box.

Pretty interesting reading. I guess I'll finally sit down and learn how the gear box works

gatdammit · Sep 22, 2016

I'd buy the rear hugger if you part it out.

jesser · Sep 22, 2016

Sorry to hear about your crash, good that is was recoverable for you. I saw you had sliders, they didn't look damaged or even touched. do you think they helped lessen damage? or do you have other protective add ons that helped? I'm looking into adding some. From the photo, the damage looks less than I would expect if it did tumble, looks like you will be able to salvage your bike. I've had a couple road rashers in the past, scared me good, only cosmetic and minor bolts-ons damage, luckily only deep abrasions, no broken bones. I was always really nervous when riding again, that was 20, and 15, years ago and three motorcycles. Good luck on your recovery, the Hyper gives it's rider alot of confidence and is very capable in almost all situations, one of the best bikes i've owned.

empty · Sep 22, 2016

I tried taking off the sliders and didn't see any bends in the bolt underneath or the frame. The hole in the right hand slider was packed full of dirt. Guess they worked pretty well.
The right hand guard blew up, lever is gone and handle bar is bent. I would bet if the hand guard wasn't just plastic, the brake lever would still be there. A Barkbuster replacement was on my todo list.
Also had axle sliders and both brake rotors are still good. Maybe they helped keep the rotors from touching down?
Just a lot of little bits and pieces damaged all around the bike. Do hope I can get it back on the road.
Thanks for the well wishes.

monocog007 · Sep 23, 2016

If you're mindful of finding lightly used parts, you'd be surprised how much cheaper you'll be able to fix it than the insurance company. Glad you're okay and that the bike isn't too far gone.

I once crashed my monster by hitting a deer. Insurance totaled the bike, and wrote me a check for the cost of the bike + almost $3000 in custom parts. I ended up fixing the bike up to look nicer than when I started, plus had enough left over for a track suit and a new helmet. It'll probably be a lengthy process of getting it fixed back up, but you'll get there.

jesser · Sep 23, 2016

Thanks empty for the feedback, I am definitely getting sliders front and back, then look into the bar protectors. better to have and not need. Good luck with your recovery and getting your Hyper back in shape.

empty · Sep 24, 2016

I had sliders on the rear axle as well, but they're don't really protect anything. On the Right side the muffler over hangs it. Mine were spool shaped so I could use them with a regular rear wheel stand. Otherwise I wouldn't bother with the rear axle sliders.
Just disappointed with Ducati for putting out a plastic hand guard for looks instead of function. For a few more dollars, the factory could have put something useful there. Also I couldn't really position the plastic to give full coverage for my hand. It was just a little too narrow.

empty · Oct 7, 2016

Just to close off this thread. Insurance wouldn't let me buy back the bike. At least I didn't lose on the settlement.

RSL · Oct 7, 2016

Smoking hot deals on new Ducatis, with 0% interest and cash back. Now you can replace your 2014.

empty · Oct 7, 2016

You trying to cause trouble? Having me shopping at the dealer while I'm still on crutches!
...just might have to check from the web now

Crashed my '14 Strada

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