1949 Ducati Cucciolo T2 - Stalled for the time being...

Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

A wire wheel on a bench grinder will take the carbon off those valves in no time Pete (don't worry - you won't hurt the valves)
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

this might be the coolest project on here right now. i cant wait to see this done. Classic board track racers are awesome but this motor is SOO italian it needs a sweet old italian bike to be fitted to. im sure you have seen this already but a clean version of this would be awesome.
122-1205-01-o+ducati-first-motorcycle-motorized-bicycle-the-cucciolo+.jpg

or this
1947-ducati-cucciolo-48-1_800x0w.jpg
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

hillsy said:
A wire wheel on a bench grinder will take the carbon off those valves in no time Pete (don't worry - you won't hurt the valves)

Cheers for the tip Hillsy, didn't even think of that! I even have a wire wheel still mounted on the bench grinder...

Oh, and in case you haven't seen it on the GSR yet we're plannin' on hitting the Laverda show Sunday 15th July if you're keen...

fatherjon said:
this might be the coolest project on here right now. i cant wait to see this done. Classic board track racers are awesome but this motor is SOO italian it needs a sweet old italian bike to be fitted to. im sure you have seen this already but a clean version of this would be awesome.
122-1205-01-o+ducati-first-motorcycle-motorized-bicycle-the-cucciolo+.jpg

or this
1947-ducati-cucciolo-48-1_800x0w.jpg

Thank you kindly sir! I must admit to being very slack in finding inspirational photos for this thread...

Given I'm in Aus I've been looking around locally for a Malvern Star as they're an Australian brand with some history from about 1908 I think.

I have to agree and really think this motor belongs in a traditional similar era bicycle frame, I don't think it would do it justice otherwise.

I've got my eye on a Malvern Star on eBay supposedly from the '40's but it has modern wheels and later forks so I'm not sure on that one yet... no rush though.

Trying to get an Italian frame of that vintage here will be a struggle and likely cost far more than it should...

Thanks again for those photos though, definitely the same wavelength I'm on!
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

And I got the crankshaft out tonight! Woohoo!

Did a Google search and found another article discussing how to get them out, and turns out you don't need a bolt, just a thin rod to slide in there and a hammer to drift it out.

The only things I had thin enough were a round file and a small flat head screwdriver, so I started with it on its side and got it moving with the file, then used the screwdriver with the engine back in the stand to finish up.

IMG_5040.jpg


IMG_5039.jpg


And there it is:

IMG_5044.jpg


IMG_5047.jpg


The left hand bearing feels pretty smooth but I feel it's a bit worn, whereas the right hand bearing is absolutely shagged. It notches all the way around, not one bit of smoothness whatsoever, so I reckon both are up for replacement.

I gave the inside and outside of the empty case a bit of a clean and got the gasket remnants off and it's definitely much improved:

IMG_5048.jpg


IMG_5049.jpg
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

What an awesome project!


Very, VERY cool...
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

Bozz said:
What an awesome project!


Very, VERY cool...

Cheers Bozz, certainly nothing like I've ever done before! Very different to the 450 but in some ways somewhat similar... gonna be a barrel of fun though :)
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

You might be better off getting a newer beach cruiser type frame. You can pick them up for next to nothing (they even sell them at Big W) and they will be just as easy to adapt than an older Malvern Star.

And finding a Malvern Star is one thing........paying stupid money for a junk pile one is another :eek:
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

ProSimex said:
this kicks ass


Haha thanks... although how much ass a 48cc motor can kick is anyone's guess ;)


hillsy said:
You might be better off getting a newer beach cruiser type frame. You can pick them up for next to nothing (they even sell them at Big W) and they will be just as easy to adapt than an older Malvern Star.

And finding a Malvern Star is one thing........paying stupid money for a junk pile one is another :eek:


Yeah my first preference is to try to score an old genuine one for a non-stupid price... and I definitely agree... won't be paying stupid money for a junk pile!


My next option is my dad apparently has some pushbike there I can have for free if I want it, but I think it's just some generic cheap mountain bike.


The newer beach cruiser type frame would definitely be the next best option... just have to see what turns up as I'm in no rush on the frame side of things yet.
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues


Started on pulling the clutch apart tonight but didn't get too far as I didn't have much time.


The key to removal is to get the spring compressed to relieve the pressure on the cir-clip that holds it all together, so grabbed a C clamp and went to work:


IMG_5052.jpg



This is the cir-clip that's the key to it all:


IMG_5053.jpg



Cir-clip pliers put to good use:


IMG_5054.jpg



And tension relieved, ready to dismantle:


IMG_5055.jpg



I only got as far as taking the sprocket with the clutch basket attached off:


IMG_5058.jpg
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

congrats on the frame. Looking forward to seeing this build!!!
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

Cafe Redneck said:
congrats on the frame. Looking forward to seeing this build!!!


Cheers mate! Not sold on the forks being '40's as everything I've seen indicates they should have an embossed star at the top of each leg like the headstock. No dramas there though as long as the frame really is from then... I found a link tonight that seems to have serial number information so I can look that up when I finally get my mitts on it. Can't wait now!
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

Really nice to see these old bikes come back to life, well done pete, (hoping my next project will be a 1938 riged/ girder forked brit bike with hand change gears !!!)
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

Hoosier Daddy said:
Hell yea it's a good start!
CONGRATS!!!

Cheers HD! Keen to get my hands on it now... I have a feeling that during reassembly I'm going to hit points that will require waiting/searching for parts so it'll be nice to have something different to do...

jeff4uk said:
Really nice to see these old bikes come back to life, well done pete, (hoping my next project will be a 1938 riged/ girder forked brit bike with hand change gears !!!)

Thanks Jeff, sounds like your next one will be awesome too! That'll give you something to do while it's still raining... make sure you update your Sachs thread with the link when you do it ;)
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

Brother this is such a unique and awesome build, I love checking this thread! Congratulations on getting the bike frame, it looks really nice!
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues

joeyputt said:
Brother this is such a unique and awesome build, I love checking this thread! Congratulations on getting the bike frame, it looks really nice!


Cheers Joe! I hope it turns out to be good. I'm very keen to get it here and have a closer look at serial numbers and so forth...


I'm getting oh so close to being able to rebuild the engine now too...
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues


I finished pulling the clutch apart tonight as far as I need to and cleaned it up.


IMG_5061.jpg



IMG_5062.jpg



The oil on the plates has to be old... like 40 or 50 years I reckon. It's yellow and not so oily and smells wrong to me, so I gave the plates a good clean with the kerosene and will soak in fresh engine oil when it's time for them to go back in.


They all look used but in serviceable condition:


IMG_5063.jpg



IMG_5064.jpg



I wired them up in the right order so they can go back together in the same order they've bedded in and this way I know which way is up and down also.


IMG_5065.jpg



I didn't see an easy way to fully dismantle the clutch assembly but I also don't see a need to as it cleaned up pretty well:


IMG_5066.jpg



Then I pulled out the other bits and pieces that were lying loose in the crate:


IMG_5067.jpg



Gave them all a good clean in the kero, but those spark plugs are very well used so won't be going back in.


The spanner has surface rust but is serviceable.


Two of the clutch plates look ok but the other three have surface rust also.


IMG_5072.jpg



The spring is probably from a control cable and there's a threaded cable adjuster there as well.


I'm not sure what the round cover is for.


IMG_5068.jpg



I believe this part attaches the crank that turns the counter sprocket onto the pedal crank:


IMG_5069.jpg
 
Re: 1949? Ducati Cucciolo T2 - The clean up and dismantling continues


And I also pulled out the cover for the left pedal crank and the pedal crank itself:


IMG_5073.jpg



A bit of surface rust but both cleaned up ok and are definitely serviceable:


IMG_5074.jpg



So from here, the hard bit will be getting the sprocket and bearings off the crank shaft and finding replacement bearings.


Once that's done, I need to decide if I'm going to just clean the cases or if I'll blast them or something.


At this point in time I'm thinking seriously about making a little blasting cabinet and giving some walnut shells a go. Seeing what Joe's done with the Bridgestone engine makes me think it's the way to go. I think the wet blasting I got done to the 450 will look too "new" whereas the walnut shells should keep it looking its age but still clean it up nicely.
 
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