What is this called?

No idea what this is called but it looks great

It’s a decoration called a frame plug

cncracing.com

Thank you!

I have the Desmo world version
https://ducatiforum.com/threads/hkmp7s-v4s-journal.40570/post-355141

I have the Ducabike version

Or just get the Ti swingarm shafts then you can save the decorations for the holidays.

I suppose its called “bling” not sure if it makes the bike go better

Sure does, it’s worth 3km on the straight and coupled with the winglets, gives you much better lateral stability in the turns. Motocorse made a Hello Kitty version but unfortunately, it’s been discontinued.

Sorry guys, a little punchy today, went to Huntington with the wife and her girlfriends (no not that kind of “girlfriend”, I wish) takes a lot out of you.

if you cant justify Ti swingarm shaft, perhaps a Ti fixing screw!

Or you can put whatever you want on your bike and not disparage others for putting what they want on theirs?!?

Ok here we go again with the sensitivity police. Looks like I just need a standard disclaimer that auto loads so certain people don’t get their pads twisted. It was a joke dude WTF? Chris320, good sport, totally gets it. WyldCFH, you need a beer my friend

A member here for 4 months with 2 post and some really excellent content. You’re right, what was I thinking.

Motocorse also made the frame plugs (complete set of 6 pieces):
Aluminium frame plugs kit (Nr.6) - Panigale V4 - Ducati - Brands

Here is mine but I have not installed the one on the rear swing arm axis yet:


Here are pictures from MotoCorse Website:

HKMP7 said:

I have the Desmo world version
https://ducatiforum.com/threads/hkmp7s-v4s-journal.40570/post-355141

Click to expand...

Yeah I saw on your post and was like very well done.

Titanium material is a great material, but it might not be the best material for every application, especially for road use. Racing is different, they can replace parts every race (or every few race).

Yes, there are some coating out there like DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating, however, even coating can fail, and if this DLC coating does not fail, well, since it is very hard, then the other surface that came into contact with the DLC coating will be the one who fail. When you put 2 different hardness of material together, one will fail.
Diamond-like carbon - Wikipedia

endodoc STARTED this thread in 2016 about the condition of his Titanium Swing Arm Pivot after 3,000 miles only:
1199/1299 Titanium swing arm pivot bolt report (photo)

endodoc said:

If you looking to replace the steel units with the Titanium pieces from Podium this is the wear after about 3k miles. Pretty much what I expected. I replaced it. Probably could have gone a bit longer.

Click to expand...

Titanium is stronger to Steel alloy at the same WEIGHT, but Titanium in most application is weaker than Steel alloy (with the appropriate grade) at the same VOLUME.
In the case of endodoc's titanium pivot above, it is also about the "HARDNESS", since steel alloy with the right grade is HARDER.
Meaning if you copy Ducati Pivot Arm design exactly as is without adding thickness to the wall of the tube or increase the tube diameter and replace it using Titanium, it will be WEAKER.

This is also the same reason why after careful consideration, I decided not to purchase the Titanium Rear Axle from BDS.
Because I am pretty sure the inner diameter of the Rear Axle is still the same, otherwise you no longer can use the rear single sided STAND.
And of course the outer diameter cannot be increase. Which make the Titanium Rear Axle from BDS is WEAKER than the original Ducati Steel Alloy Rear Axle.
And even the Ducati Steel Alloy Rear Axle can fail, might be error in tightening the axle bolt or from impact but do you want to take chances of a failure in rear axle while going uhmmmm fast)
but if this can happen to stronger Steel Alloy Rear Axle, is sure can happen to WEAKER Titanium Rear Axle.

Here is again another thread STARTED by endodoc and this is about Ducati Steel Alloy Rear Axle fail:
Anyone have any additional info on this most interesting mishap?




In racing, it's different, every parts is replaceable every few races.

To make it easier to understand,
remember Ducati Steel Trellis frame? they are just a bunch of small diameter tubing weld to each other right...
you can't do that with Aluminum even Titanium, you will lost a lot of strength and rigidity.
That is why the bike frame made from aluminum is much more massive by volume just to be able to achieve the same rigidity.

Mr Alpina, again good post and accurate. Those original Ti swingarm shafts were from Podium (they still sell them) the new shafts are of a larger wall thickness on the drive side and have a steel sleeve pressed on the needle bearing side. With regard to the the trellis frame, Tamburini and NCR have both made Ti replacement frames (same diameter tubing as the pieces need to fit) for Ducati’s for years without issue. With regard to the axle from BDS, you didn’t go into material specifications so comparing Ti to steel so it makes the points of contention somewhat difficult. The fact that these axles are on quite a few Ducati’s and MVs with a considerable amount of road miles is a testament to the design, material selection and reliability. Additionally, your particular application being a static display would should not warrant any of those concerns so I’m not sure what the relevance was to the critique in your particular application. Anyhow, the bike looks great, nice work.

endodoc said:

Mr Alpina, again good post and accurate. Those original Ti swingarm shafts were from Podium (they still sell them) the new shafts are of a larger wall thickness on the drive side and have a steel sleeve pressed on the needle bearing side. With regard to the the trellis frame, Tamburini and NCR have both made Ti replacement frames (same diameter tubing as the pieces need to fit) for Ducati’s for years without issue. With regard to the axle from BDS, you didn’t go into material specifications so comparing Ti to steel so it makes the points of contention somewhat difficult. The fact that these axles are on quite a few Ducati’s and MVs with a considerable amount of road miles is a testament to the design, material selection and reliability. Additionally, your particular application being a static display would should not warrant any of those concerns so I’m not sure what the relevance was to the critique in your particular application. Anyhow, the bike looks great, nice work.

Click to expand...

Mr endodoc,
I don't know about the Tamburini and NCR replacement trellis frame, but I am confident if it is the same geometry (same amount of interlocking tubing) and same tubing diameter, those Ti replacement frames will have more flex and less rigid than the original Ducati steel trellis frame.
The BDS rear axle Ti Material based on the invoice you posted (picture below) is Titanium Grade.5 Ti-6AL-4V which is of course a very good material.



It is also the same exact Ti Grade used by ProTi for their bolts, plus ProTi even applied FORGING to make it even stronger (I don't think BDS applied forging process).
Below is the official explanation from ProTi that for larger size bolts (thus larger torque tightening), it warn user of their ProTi Titanium Grade.5 Ti-6AL-4V FORGED bolts to Reduce the torque by 15%:
PROTI Fully Forged 64 Titanium Bolts, Panigale,S1000RR,RSV4
Even ProTi admit that their bolt is not able to handle the torque as the original steel bolts.
This despite their claim that the combination of their material and forging allow them to match grade 10.9 steel, below is the page where they claim this (you need to scroll down further):
PROTI Fully Forged 64 Titanium Bolts, Panigale,S1000RR,RSV4

FYI, I actually waiting for my FRONT Titanium Axle from ZETA racing to arrive which also have the same material.
So, why I am willing to use it for my FRONT axle but not REAR axle? Because the REAR axle also need to cope with our high power over 200 horsepower engine, thus more load/stress.

I understand that there are other Ducati/MV Agusta that had been using BDS Titanium rear axle safely, however, there is no real data on how many miles, what kind of driving, environment etc.
Plus our Panigale V4 came with such a powerful engine.
This BDS rear axle is NOT a factory tested parts. What happened if it fail? Do you think you can just file lawsuit to BDS? Lawsuit cost money, and if you already crippled or die, well, is it worth the money from lawsuit?
Also, will BDS even have money to pay for the compensation if you win?
and since they are in Germany, people in USA who buy those BDS Titanium Rear Axle from You, Endodoc, might just file lawsuit to you. This is a LIABILITY...
and signing a disclosure saying this is for racing use only, well, let's just say the legal cost just to defend yourself is very high.

Regarding your last statement:
Additionally, your particular application being a static display would should not warrant any of those concerns so I’m not sure what the relevance was to the critique in your particular application.

I want to copy and paste your exact sentence that you posted above as my answer: Ok here we go again with the sensitivity police.

Seriously, why you always critique people who modified their bike for looks? or as in your cynical word "decoration"?
Don't worry, people who want to buy "racing grade parts" from you will still buy from you.
I mean,... yes some of them might allocated their budget away for some nice looking "decorative" parts after they saw it here...
but hey, market trend change, people getting older... the seller need to follow the market

Now, despite my bike build goal for "decoration", I still want to make it real world worthy and safe from engineering point of view. who knows, I might be tempted to ride it one day or give it to my children or grandchildren,
and the last thing I want to hear is, grandpa cause grandson/granddaughter have accident because grandpa was so egoistic in showing off that he choose unsafe parts to modify his bike...

and in this forum, I want to contribute with the knowledge I knew, because I also don't want to see other forum member disappointed or even worse have accident. (or in your case, have lawsuit files against you).

Note: I contacted almost every Titanium Machining Facility in the USA (most aerospace supplier), and some of them advise me that it will require a redesign in geometry plus extra forging process just to be able to match the original steel parts.
And with that modification, there goes the weight advantage of using Ti. If I want to keep the design the same, thus less weight than the original steel, I will lose the strength.
Yes, I like to listen to second, third and forth opinions before making my decision and from credible sources.

Yes, good advice. I always try to get opinions from someone who actually has and uses what’s in the topic of conversation. Keeps the chatter relevant otherwise it’s just an option which is, well never mind. I don’t (for profit or business) resell parts. I buy in volumes so I can get discounted pricing. With regard to liability LOL maybe we should go back and delete all the brake line posts, wouldn’t want a DIY getting hurt and I said “we” not pointing fingers. Are you officially on the ProTi payroll? if not, they should at least send you free hardware.